Nurses who work with acutely/critically ill patients can earn national certification by taking the CCRN Pediatric exam 2026. This is an important step in becoming a critical care nurse. Many hospitals encourage nurses to take this certification exam, and some even offer monetary incentives.
The CCRN exam 2026 is an intensely challenging test. Thorough test preparation is essential to success.
Facts verified Oct 22, 2026 against AACN Certification Corporation. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Facts verified Oct 22, 2026 against AACN Certification Corporation. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 150 multiple-choice items (125 scored) | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Time limit | 3 hours | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Passing score | Criterion-referenced cut score (modified Angoff) | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Exam fee | $260 AACN members / $375 nonmembers | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Retake fee | $185 members / $290 nonmembers | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Retake policy | Up to 4 attempts in a rolling 12-month period | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Validity | 3 years | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Renewal | 100 Synergy CERPs or renewal by exam ($185/$290) | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Delivery | PSI test center or Live Remote Proctoring | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Eligibility | Unencumbered U.S. RN/APRN license + 1,750 pediatric direct-care hours in 2 years (875 in the latest year) or 2,000 hours in 5 years (144 in the latest year) | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Score release | On-screen at test end; detailed report emailed within 24 hours | AACN Certification Corporation |
| Testing window | Year-round; 180-day window after approval (normally 90 days) | AACN Certification Corporation |
Facts verified Oct 22, 2026 against AACN Certification Corporation. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Interactive Pediatric CCRN Exam resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
The CCRN Pediatric exam is designed to assess nurses’ integration of knowledge, skills, abilities and experience in delivering direct patient care to critically ill children. This three-hour computer-delivered exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 125 are scored and 25 are used for statistical data collection purposes. The CCRN certification is offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
The book contains an extensive review of the key concepts, procedures and principles that are critical to success on the CCRN exam. Each section is organized to reflect the structure of the exam and covers key content areas such as clinical judgment, professional caring and ethical practice, and systems thinking.
This is an excellent resource for any nurse who prepares to take the CCRN exam. It is divided by system and includes an online interactive testing program, and practice questions with answers and rationales. It also includes tips for passing the CCRN examination. More than 95,000 nurses are presently CCRN certified worldwide. It is the credential that validates nursing care of acutely and critically ill patients to hospital administrators, peers and the public.
Nurses preparing for the Pediatric CCRN often strengthen their resuscitation skills alongside this exam, so it helps to review the PALS practice test for pediatric advanced life support scenarios.
If your unit also handles emergency admissions, pairing your study plan with the CPEN practice test reinforces the triage and acute care knowledge that overlaps with pediatric critical care.
Prepare for the Pediatric CCRN Exam exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
Nurse Builders Practice Questions for Pediatric CCRN Review, 4th Edition offers practical strategies and practice questions to help you pass the AACN CCRN certification exam. This comprehensive study aid is organized by the latest CCRN exam blueprint and features clear, concise chapters that present information in a logical order. Each chapter includes keywords, case studies, and practice questions that test clinical judgment. This continuing nursing professional development e-course provides 1 contact hour.
This book was written by Susan Wade, RN, CNS, who is an expert in pediatric and critical care nursing, speaker, and author. She has dedicated her career to preparing nurses for the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) and Pediatric Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) exams and reviews. This book is available for fast, free shipping to more than 164 countries.
The CCRN exam is the certification for nurses who want to work in critical care. It is a valuable credential for hospital administrators, peers and patients. The CCRN certification validates your knowledge of nursing care for acutely and critically ill adults, children and neonates. The CCRN is a professional credential awarded by AACN. More than 95,000 nurses worldwide are presently CCRN certified.
The Pediatric CCRN certification exam is a comprehensive test with 150 questions. It covers topics such as the synergy model, cardiopulmonary systems, neurological systems, renal, hematology and immunology. This exam is challenging for new RNs and requires extensive study to pass.
In order to prepare for the CCRN, you must study extensively and practice with real-world questions. It is also important to choose the right time to take the exam. You should avoid taking the exam during a stressful period in your life. This may include caring for a terminally ill loved one, getting married or moving. These circumstances will only make it harder to concentrate on studying for the exam.
The NETA (National Electrical Testing Association) certification is unrelated to the Pediatric CCRN credential, though candidates occasionally confuse the acronyms when searching for critical care nursing exams. The Pediatric CCRN is administered by the AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses) and validates expertise in caring for acutely ill pediatric patients, requiring 1,750 direct care hours within the previous two years.
Test-takers studying for the Pediatric CCRN sometimes encounter neta references when researching equipment testing standards used in PICU environments, since biomedical devices like ventilators and infusion pumps follow electrical safety testing protocols. Understanding these background standards helps candidates answer exam questions on the Pediatric CCRN covering patient safety, equipment troubleshooting, and the professional caring practices section worth 20% of the blueprint.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pediatric CCRN Exam exam preparation strengthens your knowledge across all domains | Exam anxiety can affect performance — practice tests help reduce it |
| Passing the exam proves competency to employers and clients | Registration fees are non-refundable if you miss your test date |
| Study materials and practice tests are widely available | Limited retake opportunities may apply with waiting periods |
| Exam-based credentials are portable across states and employers | Exam content updates periodically — use current study materials |
| Clear exam objectives help focus your study plan effectively | Testing center availability may require advance scheduling |
Try these questions from our free Pediatric CCRN Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
A 4-year-old with septic shock is on a norepinephrine infusion but remains hypotensive with vasodilatory shock. Which adjunct vasopressor is MOST appropriate to add?
Answer: B. Vasopressin
Vasopressin acts on V1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle independent of adrenergic pathways, making it an effective adjunct in catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory shock.
Metronidazole suspension, 200 mg per dosage, is being used to treat a 3-year-old child. The daily dosing range for the 30-pound youngster is 20–40 mg/kg of body weight given in three divided doses every eight hours. What should the nurse do knowing the safe drug administration principles?
Answer: A. Administer the medicine as ordered
The nurse first calculates the child's weight in kilograms (30 lbs / 2.2 = 13.6 kg). The safe daily dose range of 20-40 mg/kg translates to 272 mg to 544 mg per day. The ordered dose of 200 mg per administration, given three times a day, totals 600 mg/day. While this dose is at the higher end of the therapeutic window, it is often considered acceptable in clinical practice for metronidazole, especially when the child's condition warrants it and close monitoring for adverse effects is implemented. Therefore, the nurse would administer the medication as ordered.
A 7-year-old post-operative Fontan procedure has a central venous pressure of 22 mmHg, low urine output, and hepatomegaly. The nurse suspects:
Answer: B. Fontan failure with elevated systemic venous pressure
Elevated CVP, hepatomegaly, and oliguria after Fontan indicate elevated systemic venous pressures secondary to Fontan circuit obstruction or failure.
A 7-year-old post-op with a right-sided chest tube has sudden respiratory distress, absent breath sounds on the left, and tracheal deviation to the right. The MOST likely diagnosis is:
Answer: B. Left-sided tension pneumothorax
Absent left breath sounds, tracheal deviation away from the left, and sudden respiratory distress indicate a left-sided tension pneumothorax compressing mediastinal structures.