CNS Study Guide

The Adult Health CNS Exam, Child/Adolescent Psych & Mental Health CNS Exam, Gerontological CNS Exam, and Pediatric CNS Exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) qualifies successful candidates with the appropriate credential.

All four of these credentialing tests require the candidate to meet ANCC eligibility requirements prior to testing.

* The candidate must have a valid RN license issued from the US or the equivalent in a foreign country.
* The candidate must have earned a master’s, post-master or doctorate degree from a clinical nurse specialist program specializing in their exam area. The program must be accredited by the CCNE or the NLNAC.
* The candidate needs to have accrued at least 500 hours of faculty supervised hours in their nursing specialty.

After the eligibility requirements, the candidate will need to submit their application along with the registration fee. For all four exams, the fee runs $390 for non-members, $270 for ANA members, or $340f or NACNS members.

Any of the four tests can be taken during any time of year. The exams are administered a computer-based testing centers located nationwide. After approval the candidate will be asked to schedule their exam at a location nearest them. On the exam day, candidates should arrive with their confirmation letter from ANCC and at least one government issued ID.

To prepare for the exams, candidates should study the theories, advanced nursing practices, and research available for their specialty. Many of the 175 multiple choice questions have roots in these topics. Also the candidate should know their basic and applied sciences as well as any education or training methods.

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