CNN

CNN eligibility is for RNs with at least 3,000 hours of experience practicing in multiple areas of nephrology. That breadth requirement matters: NNCC expects nephrology experience across more than one practice area, not just dialysis or a single setting. Confirm your hours and documentation with NNCC before applying.

The exam covers renal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology; assessment, diagnosis, and monitoring; treatment modalities and clinical management, including dialysis and transplantation; patient education and self-management support; and professional practice, quality, and safety. NNCC frames certification around patient safety and quality of care.

NNCC states that its certification exams are English-language exams, meant to establish that a certified individual meets the requirements of a nationally certified healthcare professional practicing in the United States. NNCC's public program page does not list CNN item counts, time limits, or a passing score; verify those specifics with NNCC.

NNCC does not publish a CNN pass rate on its program page, so difficulty claims should be treated cautiously. The 3,000-hour, multiple-area eligibility requirement signals that the exam assumes substantial nephrology experience. Candidates who have worked across different nephrology settings and patient populations are generally better positioned than those with narrow experience.

Begin with NNCC's Practice/Prepare tab under the CNN credential for the recommended reference materials. Then build a study sequence around the five content areas, starting with the area where your experience is thinnest. Use practice questions to find gaps, but do not treat question banks as a substitute for nephrology references.

NNCC explicitly states that books and flash cards marketed as preparation materials for NNCC certification examinations are not created or endorsed by NNCC, and their use is not recommended. Use the recommended references listed under the Practice/Prepare tab for your credential instead.

NNCC's testing partner, C-NET, offers special accommodations in conjunction with the American with Disabilities Act. English as a second language is not considered by the ADA to be a disability. If you need an accommodation, contact NNCC or C-NET before scheduling so documentation and approval can be completed.

If you sign up for NNCC mobile service, NNCC sends certification reminder notices by text at least 90 days before your certification expiration date, plus important certification news. This is optional and does not replace knowing your own expiration date or following NNCC's recertification instructions.

NNCC's public program page does not state the CNN exam fee, retake policy, or certification validity period. Those details can change and should be confirmed directly with NNCC. Do not rely on figures from other credentials, such as the CCHT-A promotional fee, for the CNN exam.