NBCRNA Practice Test

The NBCRNA National Certification Examination (NCE) is taken by nurse anesthesia graduates who want to become certified. This page gives you free practice sets by topic, three worked questions with full explanations, a breakdown of the official content outline, and a short summary of the format, fees and retake rules taken from NBCRNA sources.

NBCRNA Exam at a Glance

What changed for NBCRNA in 2026

• Oct 28, 2026: Testing window changed to Year-round (previously Year-round at Pearson VUE test centers).^[1]
• Oct 28, 2026: Registration deadline changed to Within 90 days of eligibility notice (previously Test within 90 days of eligibility notice).^[1]
• Oct 28, 2026: Exam fee changed to $1,310 (includes $160 MAC Check enrollment) (previously $1,310 (2026), includes $160 MAC Check enrollment).^[3]
• Oct 28, 2026: Retake fee changed to $1,150 per retake (previously $1,150 per retake (2026)).^[3]
• Oct 28, 2026: Number of questions changed to 100–170 questions (incl. 30 unscored pretest) (previously 100–170 questions (computer adaptive, incl. 30 unscored pretest)).^[1]
• Oct 28, 2026: Passing score changed to Pass/fail based on IRT ability estimate (standard updated July 1, 2026) (previously Pass/fail on an IRT ability estimate; standard updated July 1, 2026).^[4]
• Oct 28, 2026: Score release changed to Preliminary at checkout; official in 2–4 weeks by mail (previously Preliminary at test center; official in 2–4 weeks).^[5]
• Oct 28, 2026: Retake policy changed to Up to 4 attempts per 12 months, 8 total within 2 years (previously Up to 4 attempts per 12 months, 8 total within 2 years of program completion).^[5]
• Oct 28, 2026: Renewal changed to $445 every 4 years + 60 Class A and 40 Class B credits + 13 MAC Check quarters (previously $445 every 4 years + 60 Class A / 40 Class B credits + 13 MAC Check quarters).^[7]
• Oct 28, 2026: Delivery changed to Pearson VUE test centers (including select US military bases) (previously Pearson VUE test centers (incl. select US military bases)).^[2]
• Oct 28, 2026: Other (update 2026-07-01) changed to The NBCRNA implemented an updated passing standard for the National Certification Examination on July 1, 2026, while retaining the existing exam content and format. (previously The NBCRNA updated the NCE passing standard on July 1, 2026; exam content and format stayed the same.).^[4]
• Oct 28, 2026: Other (update 2027-01-01) changed to Starting January 1, 2027, the NBCRNA NCE examination fee increases to $1,335 (including $160 MAC Check enrollment) and the retake fee increases to $1,175. (previously From January 1, 2027 the NCE fee goes up to $1,335 (still including the $160 MAC Check enrollment fee) and the NCE retake fee goes up to $1,175.).^[9]

What the NBCRNA is and how it works

According to National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, “Each candidate will take a minimum of 100 test questions — 70 questions representing the NCE content outline and 30 random, non-graded pretest questions. The maximum number of questions is 170 questions, which includes the 30 random, non- graded pretest questions.”^[1]

The NCE is the certification exam run by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. To be eligible, you need an unrestricted RN license and a nurse anesthesia program accredited by the COA, completed within the previous 2 calendar years. Rules and paperwork can differ for individual situations, so read the NBCRNA candidate handbook before you apply.

The exam is a variable-length, computerized adaptive test. Each candidate sees between 100 and 170 questions, and 30 of them are unscored pretest items. You have a maximum of 3 hours. It is delivered at Pearson VUE test centers, including select US military bases, and is offered year-round. Your eligibility notice expires 90 days after it is issued, so schedule within that window. Appointments can be made up to 3 calendar days before the day you want to test, subject to availability.

Results are pass/fail based on an IRT ability estimate. The passing standard was adjusted on July 1, 2026, while content and format stayed the same. You get preliminary results at checkout, and official results arrive by mail in 2–4 weeks.

The fee is $1,310, which includes the $160 MAC Check enrollment. A retake costs $1,150. You can sit the exam up to 4 times in each 12-month period and 8 times in total. Confirm current fees and policies on the NBCRNA website.

NBCRNA content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official NBCRNA content outline published by National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, with the share of the exam each area carries. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through NBCRNA questions

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.

Example 1

Question: According to current ASA fasting guidelines, clear liquids may be consumed up to how many hours before elective anesthesia in adults?

1. 2 hours
2. 4 hours
3. 6 hours
4. 8 hours

Answer: A. 2 hours

Explanation:

The correct answer is 2 hours. Clear liquids leave the stomach quickly, so the fasting guidelines allow them up to 2 hours before elective anesthesia in healthy adults. Water, pulp-free juice, tea and black coffee all count.

The 4 hour, 6 hour and 8 hour options are wrong for clear liquids because they demand a longer fast than the guidelines require. Longer intervals belong to heavier intake such as solid food or fatty meals, which empty more slowly.

Rule to remember: the fasting interval grows with the density and fat content of what was consumed. Clear liquids have the shortest interval, and keeping patients hydrated up to that point improves comfort without raising aspiration risk in a routine patient.

Example 2

Question: Which medication should be administered to a patient who is unresponsive and hypoxic after receiving midazolam (Versed) for a 20-minute gastrointestinal procedure?

1. Atropine
2. Flumazenil (Romazicon)
3. Naloxone (Narcan)
4. Neostigmine (Prostigmin)

Answer: B. Flumazenil (Romazicon)

Explanation:

Flumazenil is correct. The patient is unresponsive and hypoxic after midazolam, a benzodiazepine, and flumazenil is the specific competitive antagonist at the benzodiazepine receptor. It reverses the sedation, though it should not be used routinely.

Atropine is an anticholinergic used for bradycardia or secretions, and it does nothing for benzodiazepine sedation. Naloxone reverses opioids, and this scenario describes no opioid. Neostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to reverse nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers, so it would not help here.

Rule to remember: match the reversal agent to the drug class that caused the problem. Support the airway and breathing first, then give the antagonist.

Example 3

Question: Which neuromuscular blocking agent is a benzylisoquinoline compound?

1. Vecuronium
2. Succinylcholine
3. Pancuronium
4. Mivacurium

Answer: D. Mivacurium

Explanation:

Mivacurium is correct. It is a short-acting nondepolarizing relaxant in the benzylisoquinoline class, along with atracurium and cisatracurium.

Vecuronium and pancuronium are wrong because both are aminosteroid compounds, a different chemical family. Succinylcholine is wrong because it is a depolarizing agent built from two acetylcholine molecules, not a benzylisoquinoline.

Rule to remember: the name ending helps. Names ending in -curium are benzylisoquinolines, and names ending in -curonium are aminosteroids. Chemical class matters because it predicts how the drug is metabolized, whether it releases histamine, and how it behaves in organ dysfunction.

How to use these practice tests

Start by reading the official NBCRNA candidate handbook and the content outline so you know what is tested and how the adaptive format works. Then take a practice set in each topic area without time pressure, and write down every question you miss along with the reason you missed it: a knowledge gap, a misread stem, or a rushed guess.

• Use the pharmacology, airway and equipment sets to find weak areas early, then return to your textbooks and program notes for those topics.
• Pair each missed question with a short rewrite of the rule it tests, in your own words.
• Move on to the regional, obstetric, perioperative assessment and crisis management sets, and treat them as scenario practice: decide on your plan before you look at the options.
• Close to test day, mix topics in a single sitting and keep to the time limit so you get used to a long adaptive session.

Our questions are written by us with AI tools and are not real exam questions, so use them to check understanding, not to predict the exam. The official NBCRNA materials remain the reference for policies and content.

Sources & last verified

1. National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists — number of questions, eligibility, registration deadline, testing window (official source). “Each candidate will take a minimum of 100 test questions — 70 questions representing the NCE content outline and 30 random, non-graded pretest questions. The…” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
2. National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists — time limit, delivery (official source). “The NCE is a variable-length, computerized adaptive test with 100-170 questions, and students have a maximum of three hours to complete it.” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
3. National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists — exam fee, retake fee (official source). “NCE* $1,310 ... *Includes the $160 MAC Check enrollment fee.” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
4. National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists — passing score, other (official source). “The passing standard (minimum score required to pass) was adjusted July 1, 2026, to better reflect current professional knowledge and competencies. Exam content and format…” Verified Oct 28, 2026 · source checked Oct 25, 2026.
5. National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists — retake policy, score release (official source). “The NCE may be taken up to eight times total after completion of a nurse anesthesia training program. Four times in each 12-month period after…” Verified Oct 28, 2026 · source checked Oct 25, 2026.
6. National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists — validity (official source). “The MAC program spans a four-year period.” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
7. National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists — renewal (official source). “In the MAC Program, CRNAs pay $445 every four years ($160 for access to MAC Check and the $285 renewal application fee).” Verified Oct 28, 2026 · source checked Oct 25, 2026.
8. pearsonvue.com — late registration deadline (official source). “Appointments may be made up to three calendar days prior to the day you wish to test, subject to availability.” Verified Oct 28, 2026 · source checked Oct 26, 2026.
9. National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists — other (official source). “NCE* $1,335 ... NCE Retake $1,175 ... *Includes the $160 MAC Check enrollment fee. ... *Effective January 1, 2027” Verified Oct 28, 2026.
10. National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists — other (official source). “anesthesia for surgical procedures and special populations 25%” Verified Oct 28, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.