Introduction

Welcome, students! This page is dedicated to your needs and interests as you continue your training to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Nurse anesthesia students are working hard to prepare to be leaders and competent care providers in a dynamic profession, and the NBCRNA wants to provide you with resources to help you on your path.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Effective July 1, 2022, the NCE and SEE exam delivery will be restricted to the Pearson VUE, Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs).  

Learn more here.

National Certification Examination (NCE)

The purpose of the National Certification Examination (NCE) is to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for entry-level nurse anesthesia practitioners. To enhance the ability of the NCE to assess entry-level competency in the field of nurse anesthesia, the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) has been adding alternative question formats to the NCE.

A candidate who holds "certification eligible" status with the NBCRNA has successfully completed an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program and has been granted eligibility status to take the NCE by the NBCRNA.

Self Evaluation Examination (SEE)

The Self-Evaluation Examination (SEE) has been a valuable tool for both students and education providers to gauge progress in the education program, assess knowledge of anesthesia practice, and to prepare students for the National Certification Examination (NCE) experience.

Exam Tutorial

The NBCRNA has developed an exam tutorial with the purpose of helping examinees with interactive examples of the five question formats contained within the NCE and SEE. This tutorial contains a total of 20 sample items that depict generally how the questions will look in the exam administration software, as well as basic instructions for responding to each question type, and can be taken an unlimited number of times.

Exam Expectations

  • Q What are some examples of improper exam-related behaviors?

    • Attempting to have someone other than yourself take the exam under your name, or taking the exam for someone else under their name. Hiring a “ringer” (more knowledgeable person) or a “proxy” to sit for the examination in one’s place.
    • Retention or possession of exam materials:
      • Having an electronic device in the test center that can take pictures, video, audio, or record or transmit typed text or copy files
        • Forgetting to take off your smartwatch
        • Having a USB drive in your pocket
      • Having printed copies, pictures, handwritten notes, files, or other representations of exam content, inside or outside the test center
      • Memorizing content that is on an exam to later record or share it
    • Sharing exam materials:
      • Talking to examinees, faculty, students, or test prep/review course personnel about what is or is not on the exam or what is more or less important to study based on exam experience

        - "There was much more about ____ on the test than I expected."

        - "There was this question about ____ that really confused me. How would/did you answer?"

        - "You should review the diagram of ____. One question was just like that."

        - "Why do we spend so much time studying ____ when it's not on the exam?"

        - "I teach this aspect of the curriculum in my course, but it's not really covered on the boards."

         

          • Posting social media, email, or discussion board messages about experience of question materials on the exam

         

        - "I was really glad I took ____ test prep course because the questions were almost identical to the real thing."

        - "Does anybody want to get together to make an exam study guide? I can remember a few questions, and if we put our heads together..."

        - "This was a terrible test. For instance, this question about ____ didn't make any sense..."

          • Contributing actual test materials to a prep course with or without compensation
        • Attempting to obtain actual exam materials or inside information:
          • Attending a course or purchasing materials that claim to include actual test content
          • Asking someone who has taken an exam for information about it

        - "I feel like I'm a little weak on ____. Were there many questions about that?"

        • Answering test questions on the basis of anything other than one's own knowledge and judgement
          • Using notes brought into the test center
          • Looking at another person's exam
          • Asking a proctor or another examinee for answer information
          • Any prohibited communication while taking the exam

  • Q What are examples of permitted exam-related behaviors?

    • Exchanging general information about the test center environment or rules

       

      - "Are you allowed to take a break during the test?"

      - "There was a little bit of a delay to get seated at the center."

      - "My ID said Christopher and my registration said Chris, so I couldn't test."

       

    • Sharing basic, public information about question types on the exam

       

      - "There are 150 multiple-choice questions: there aren't any alternative format questions like hotspots on the test."

       

    • Discussing information published by the NBCRNA already

       

      - "The content outline says that 30% of the test is devoted to basic science."

       

    • Making general comments about your exam performance

     

    - "I thought the exam was very challenging, but I think I passed. I had plenty of time."

  • Q What are penalties for improper exam-related behavior?

    • Penalties include but are not limited to:
      • loss of eligibility to take any NBCRNA exam, including SEE, NCE, and NSPM, now or in the future
      • invalidation of exam results
      • revocation of certification
      • assessment of monetary damages
      • legal liability

  • Q What should I do if I witness behavior I think may be improper?

    If you see any behavior related to NBCRNA exams that you think may be improper, you are obligated to report it. The NBCRNA uses a third-party reporting service known as The Network. You can remain anonymous if you choose, and no direct contact with NBCRNA staff is required.

     

    Online Reporting: https://nbcrna.tnwreports.com

     

    Phone reporting: 844-703-1790