A nurse who passes the CCTN Exam can help patients with transplant procedures. Those who are interested in becoming certified can find many helpful resources to prepare for the exam. The CCTN exam is held nationwide.
Review courses can provide topical information, exam taking tips and strategies, and confidence that nurses need to enter the testing room. Some courses also include electronic flash cards that can be used to study.
Interactive CCTN - Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
The CCTN has 175 questions, takes about 3 hours and costs $350[1][2] (American Board for Transplant Certification, verified Oct 25, 2026).
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 175 items (150 scored)[1] | American Board for Transplant Certification · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Time limit | 3 hours[1] | American Board for Transplant Certification · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee | $350 exam fee + $150 application fee[2] | American Board for Transplant Certification · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Validity | 3 years[3] | American Board for Transplant Certification · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery | PSI test centers, by appointment[3] | American Board for Transplant Certification · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Score release | Printed pass/fail score report at the test center[1] | American Board for Transplant Certification · Oct 25, 2026 |
The Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) exam is a challenging one. It requires a thorough knowledge of transplant nursing procedures and patient care. This review course provides essential information to help you pass the CCTN exam on your first attempt. It is available online or in a hardcover book. This review course includes a practice test and flashcards, which are designed to help you prepare for the CCTN exam. Practice with the free CCTN - Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).
This CCTN online review course covers the latest detailed content outline designated by ABTC for the certification exam. The course combines critical thinking and analytical skills with an understanding of the role of the CCTN in the healthcare team. It also discusses the importance of professional caring and ethical practice.
The CCTN Exam is a difficult one, even for the most experienced nurses. A standardized test is a stressful situation for anyone. It is not uncommon for someone to think they will breeze through an examination, tell their friends and make plans for the future, and then have an upsetting reality check when they find out they failed. Try our NCLEX practice test.
According to American Board for Transplant Certification, “examinations contains 175 items. Responses to 150 of these items will contribute to your score.”[1]
Prepare for the CCTN - Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: What is the significance of Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA) percentage in transplant candidates?
Answer: B. It indicates the percentage of donor pool against which the patient has antibodies
Explanation:
The correct answer is that PRA shows the percentage of the donor pool the patient has antibodies against. A candidate with a high PRA has been sensitized, often through earlier transplants, pregnancy or transfusion, so more potential donors are incompatible and the wait for a match can be longer.
Kidney function is measured with other tests, such as creatinine and estimated filtration rate, so that option is wrong. Blood type compatibility is a separate ABO matching step, so that option is wrong too. Liver enzyme levels come from a liver panel and have nothing to do with antibody sensitization.
Rule to remember: PRA describes sensitization to HLA antigens, and a higher value means a narrower set of acceptable donors.
Question: What is the recommended prophylaxis for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in solid organ transplant recipients?
Answer: B. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)
Explanation:
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the standard prophylaxis for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in solid organ transplant recipients. It is also active against Toxoplasma and some urinary pathogens, which adds value in patients on immunosuppression.
Fluconazole is an antifungal used against Candida and some other yeasts, and it does not reliably prevent Pneumocystis. Acyclovir targets herpes viruses, not this organism. Voriconazole is a mold-active antifungal, used mainly for Aspergillus, and it is not the usual agent for Pneumocystis prevention.
Rule to remember: match the drug to the organism. For PJP prevention in transplant recipients, think TMP-SMX, and think about the risk when it is stopped early or not tolerated.
Question: A transplant recipient presents with fever, productive cough, and CT findings showing bilateral ground-glass opacities three months post-transplant. Which organism should be highest on the differential?
Answer: A. Pneumocystis jirovecii
Explanation:
Pneumocystis jirovecii belongs at the top of the differential. Fever, cough and bilateral ground-glass opacities on CT in a transplant recipient on immunosuppression, within the window when prophylaxis matters, are the classic pattern. The risk rises further if prophylaxis was stopped or not taken.
Streptococcus pneumoniae more often causes a focal lobar consolidation with a more abrupt onset. Mycobacterium tuberculosis tends to give cavitary or nodular disease with a slower course. Candida albicans rarely causes primary pneumonia and is more often a colonizer or a bloodstream pathogen.
Rule to remember: diffuse bilateral ground-glass change in an immunosuppressed patient points to Pneumocystis until shown otherwise.
Start with the official material. Read the current ABTC candidate handbook and any content outline ABTC publishes for the CCTN, and write down each topic area it lists. Use that list as your checklist rather than relying on our set names.
Next, take a general set such as CCTN Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse to find your weak spots. Do not chase a score. Mark every question you got wrong or guessed right, and read the explanation for each one.
Then work through the topic sets one at a time: immunology and rejection, immunosuppressive medications, complications and clinical management, infection prevention, donor evaluation and patient education and psychosocial care. After each set, go back to your clinical references for the items you missed and write a short note in your own words.
Close to test day, use the MCQ set to practise answering at an even pace across 175 items in 3 hours. Keep the lighter trivia sets for review when you have a few spare minutes.
Transplant nurses are specialized registered nurse professionals who monitor and educate patients pre- and post-transplant. They also provide psycho-social support and administer prescribed medications. They must be able to recognize complications and respond to them appropriately. They must also be able to collaborate with the transplant/VAD team.
The CCTN exam is challenging, and thorough test preparation is necessary for success. Our CCTN Study Guide includes everything you need to help you pass the exam, including practice tests and detailed answer explanations. It even has a self-assessment exam (SAE), which conforms to the actual CCTN exam specifications by one-half.
A CCTN credential shows employers that you have the skills and knowledge to care for transplant patients. RNs can obtain a CCTN by working as a registered nurse for at least 24 months, 12 of which must be dedicated to organ transplant care. CCTN exams are administered by the American Board for Transplant Certification and can be taken in many locations. Special accommodations are available for students with disabilities, such as extended testing time and a separate testing room. Try our CNOR certification practice test.
A full review of the subjects on the CCTN exam, with test-taking tips and strategies, real-world examples, and worked through practice questions. This easy-to-use guide also includes two complete practice tests to ensure you’re ready on test day.
Designed with the latest content outline, this book prepares students for success on the CEN exam. It features: A 25-question pretest to help pinpoint areas in need of intensive study Thorough subject reviews including Cardiovascular Emergencies, Pulmonary Emergencies, Professional Caring and Ethical Practice, and Multisystem Emergencies Easy-to-digest chapter outlines, with corresponding practice questions and answers and rationales Two full-length practice CEN exams, one printed in the book and the other accessed online for interactive questions and answer explanations
Master core clinical content with this essential review tool. Questions cover patient-centered care, physical examination and diagnostic testing, disorders of the major body systems, pharmacology, and health assessment. Questions that address key patient safety issues are marked with a QSEN icon and selected answer rationales address the Safety competency.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Validates your knowledge and skills objectively | Study materials can be expensive |
| Increases job market competitiveness | Exam anxiety can affect performance |
| Provides structured learning goals | Requires dedicated preparation time |
| Networking opportunities with other certified professionals | Retake fees apply if you don't pass |
Try these questions from our free CCTN - Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Chronic allograft nephropathy is characterized by which pathological finding on biopsy?
Answer: B. Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy
Chronic allograft nephropathy is characterized by interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, reflecting cumulative immune and non-immune injury over time.
A nurse works in a neighborhood recently hit by a hurricane. The nurse works to connect persons in need with housing and counseling. The nurse represents which degree of prevention.
Answer: A. Tertiary level
Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation, reducing the impact of an existing disease or injury, and preventing its progression. In this scenario, the hurricane has already occurred, and the nurse is providing housing and counseling, which are restorative and supportive services aimed at minimizing long-term effects and helping individuals recover, thus aligning with tertiary prevention.
A kidney transplant recipient expresses guilt about their donor's death. What is the most therapeutic nursing response?
Answer: B. Acknowledge the patient's feelings, normalize them, and offer connection to counseling or donor family support programs
Survivor guilt is a recognized psychological response in transplant recipients; acknowledging feelings, normalizing them, and offering support resources is the therapeutic approach.
Which of the following is a contraindication to living kidney donation?
Answer: C. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is a contraindication to living donation because it significantly increases the donor's risk of future kidney failure.
Take the full CCTN - Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse practice test
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