Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) exam-day guide
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring an unexpired driver's license or passport with a name that exactly matches your course registration. Exact ID requirements vary by site, so confirm with the provider if your registration name differs from your ID.
Course registration confirmation
Have the confirmation email, course code, or roster name ready at check-in; some sites require it to verify which format (Essentials vs. Advanced) you are enrolled in.
Proof of completed online exam
The NRP online exam is typically completed before the in-person session; bring a printed or saved screenshot of your score/confirmation in case the site's records lag.
Proof of completed eSim cases (Advanced format)
If your course requires eSim, complete and save confirmation of the assigned cases before arrival. Confirm with the provider how many eSim cases your format requires.
Current NRP textbook
Bring the textbook for the edition your course uses (8th edition for current courses). It is useful for review between stations; confirm with the provider whether it may be at your table during on-site testing.
Login credentials for the AAP learning platform
Know your username and password. If the exam or eSim is delivered on site, you will need to log in without relying on saved passwords on a borrowed device.
Fully charged device and charger (if testing on site)
Some sites allow or require a personal laptop/tablet for the online exam; confirm the provider's device policy and whether Wi-Fi is provided.
Comfortable clothing
You will kneel, position, and practice compressions and airway skills; wear clothes and shoes that allow movement and kneeling. Avoid dangling jewelry and strong fragrances in a simulated nursery setting.
Watch with a second hand or timer
Useful for timing compressions, ventilation, and APGAR intervals during practice and scenarios. Confirm whether the site provides timing devices instead.
Water and a light snack
Sessions often run several hours with limited breaks; confirm the site's food and break policy in advance.
Pen and paper for notes
Bring a pen for signing rosters and score sheets. Notes are for review only - do not record exam or scenario content.
Review your site's arrival instructions
Confirm building, room, parking, and arrival time with the provider; many courses begin with a mandatory orientation before any testing.
Plan the day
Confirm with the provider that your online exam (and any required eSim cases) is complete and recorded in the system, since many sites will not admit you to the in-person portion without it. Complete any outstanding modules now rather than the night before.
Re-read the current algorithm chapters you are least confident in - initial steps, ventilation, compressions, and medications/dosing - and rehearse the team-lead sequence aloud. Verify which edition your course uses.
Re-confirm start time, address, room number, parking, and what the site expects you to bring; ask about device/Wi-Fi policy and whether the textbook may be open during testing.
Pack ID, confirmation email, proof of exam/eSim completion, textbook, charger, pen, and water. Get a full night's sleep; avoid cramming new material in the final hours.
Eat a normal meal, arrive 15–30 minutes early, silence your phone, and check in with your ID and confirmation. Use waiting time for a brief algorithm walk-through only.
Listen carefully to the orientation and scoring instructions. On the written exam, read each stem fully, watch for 'first' / 'most appropriate' / 'next' wording and for questions asking which action is incorrect.
During skills and integrated scenarios, verbalize your actions and findings out loud, assign clear roles, and close the loop by confirming that each requested intervention was done. Follow your current algorithm; if a scenario detail is ambiguous, ask the instructor rather than guessing silently.
Ask when and how results and your course completion card will be issued, and clarify the renewal window your provider uses so you can plan ahead.
Rules to check
Present a valid photo ID at check-in; the name must match your registration. If your legal name differs from your registration, contact the provider before the course date to resolve it.
Complete all required components - online exam, any assigned eSim cases, skills station, and integrated skills scenario - to receive a course completion card. A passing written score alone is not sufficient, and a failed component must be remediated per the provider's policy.
Complete the online exam and eSim independently. Even where the written exam is open-book, collaboration, coaching, or having another person answer questions is prohibited. Confirm the open-book policy with your provider for your specific format.
Do not photograph, record, copy, or share exam questions, eSim content, score sheets, or scenario materials. Instructor debriefs are confidential to the course.
Silence phones and put them away during testing stations and scenarios unless the instructor directs otherwise; a device used as a reference must be cleared with the instructor first.
Ask before leaving the room during testing. Break timing and whether unscheduled breaks are permitted vary by site - confirm with the provider at orientation.
Passing standards, retake limits, and any waiting period before a retake are set by the course provider; confirm these at the start so you know the consequences of a failed component.
Treat the simulation environment as a clinical one: no eating or drinking in skill stations, follow hand-hygiene expectations, and handle manikins and equipment respectfully.