You must renew your CMSRN credential every 5 years by completing 1,000 medical-surgical practice hours and earning 90 contact hours, or by passing the exam again. You also need to maintain an active RN license throughout your entire certification cycle.
- How often do I need to renew my certification?
- You must recertify every 5 years. Your cycle begins the day you pass the test and ends exactly five years later.
- How many practice hours do I need to renew?
- You need 1,000 medical-surgical practice hours. You must complete these clinical hours within your current 5-year certification window.
- How many continuing education hours are required?
- You need a total of 90 contact hours if you choose to renew through continuing education instead of testing.
- What types of contact hours count toward renewal?
- Out of your 90 total hours, at least 68 must be directly related to medical-surgical nursing. You can use up to 22 hours for general professional development.
- Can I renew by taking the test again?
- Yes. You can choose re-examination instead of logging 90 contact hours. You still need to meet the 1,000 practice hour requirement and hold an active RN license.
- Do I need to keep my nursing license active?
- Yes. An active, unencumbered RN license is mandatory for renewal.
- What happens if I do not have enough practice hours?
- You cannot renew if you fall short of the 1,000 medical-surgical practice hours. For specific extension or inactive status policies, check the MSNCB official handbook.
- How do I submit my contact hours?
- You will log them through your online account. For the exact submission steps and deadlines, review the MSNCB renewal guidelines.
- What counts as professional development hours?
- These 22 allowable hours can cover broader nursing topics outside strict med-surg clinical care. To see a list of acceptable leadership or education topics, consult the MSNCB certification manual.
- If I choose to re-test, how should I prepare?
- You should study the current test blueprint. We offer over 4100 practice questions to help you review the five core domains before your test date.
- How much does it cost to recertify?
- Renewal fees vary based on your membership status and whether you use contact hours or re-test. Refer to the official MSNCB website for the current pricing schedule.
