CNAMB - Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse

Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse certification (CNAMB) is available to perioperative nurses who work in ambulatory care. The Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) administers the CNAMB certification exam. The American Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) accredits the CNAMB.

Eligibility

All CNAMB candidates must hold an unrestricted RN license, current employment in an ambulatory surgery setting, and either a diploma/ADN/global equivalent or a BSN or higher. Additional eligibility for the CNAMB exam varies based on certification and education status:

Diploma/ADN candidates without an accredited perioperative-related certification must have:

• 2 years and 2,400 hours experience, with at least 500 hours in the intraoperative setting

• 50 points of learning activities

BSN or higher candidates without an accredited perioperative-related certification must have:

• 2 years and 2,400 hours experience, with at least 500 hours in the intraoperative setting

Diploma/ADN candidates with a Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse (CFPN) credential must have:

• 18 months and 2,400 hours experience, with at least 500 hours in the intraoperative setting

• 50 points of learning activities

BSN or higher candidates without an accredited perioperative-related certification must have:

• 18 months and 2,400 hours experience, with at least 500 hours in the intraoperative setting

Diploma/ADN or BSN or higher candidates with accredited perioperative-related credentials don’t need to fulfill any further requirements. Examples of qualifying credentials include:

• Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

• Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia nurse (CAPA)

• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN)

• Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN)

• Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM)

• Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification (CNS-CP)

Completion Time: Candidates have 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the CNAMB exam.

Cost:

• CNAMB Exam Application Fee $375

• CNAMB Take 2 Application Fee $420. The Take 2 program allows candidates to take the test twice within 12 months if they don’t pass the first time.

Exam Format

The CNAMB exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions, with 185 scored questions and 15 unscored questions. Unscored questions are unidentifiable pretest questions  distributed throughout the exam. 

CNAMB content areas include:

• Preoperative Patient Assessment and Diagnosis (14%)

• Preoperative Plan of Care (12%)

• Intraoperative Care (20%)

• Communication (12%)

• Postoperative/Transfer of Care (10%)

• Instrument Processing and Supply Management (8%)

• Emergency Situations (5%)

• Management of Personnel, Services, and Materials (9%)

• Professional Accountability (10%)

Test Dates

Applicants may take the Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse certification exam year-round. However, they may only test once in any 90-day testing window.

Candidates may take the CNAMB certification exam at any PSI testing center, Monday through Saturday (excluding holidays). They may also take the exam remotely via Remote Secure Proctored Examination (RSPE) at an appropriate testing location of their choice using their personal computer. RSPE offers more flexibility to test takers, allowing them to schedule appointments beyond regular business hours.

In Person Exam Section

After applicants submit their applications and payments, they can access the schedule option in their CCI account. Click the "PSI Exam Scheduling" button to schedule online or call PSI at 855-834-8752 to schedule an in-person exam. Refer to the CNAMB candidate handbook for detailed information about belongings, identification, and other rules for in-person exams taken at PSI testing centers.

Exam Day Instructions

• Arrive at the testing center 30 minutes before exam time

• Bring a government-issued ID

• Place all belongings in the provided locker

PSI Testing Centers utilize multiple security measures and constantly observe candidates via various methods. No electronic devices are allowed, including cell phones, watches, pagers, or recording devices. No guests, friends, or family members may be present in the reception or testing areas.

Create a CCI account or log into an existing account. To complete an online application, applicants must provide the following information:

• Personal contact information, including address, email, home and workplace phone numbers

• RN License Information, including RN license number and expiration date, state(s) licensed to practice

• Perioperative work history for the past two years, including the date they began working in the OR, current job, and area of practice.

• Contact information for the employer, including facility name, address, and phone number and supervisor’s name, address, phone number, and email address

• Payment information

CNAMB certification is valid for three years. Applicants must meet the following requirements for renewal:

• Have an active CNAMB credential

• Have a current, unrestricted RN license

• Obtain at least 1,500 hours of experience in an ambulatory surgery setting within the three-year recertification cycle

• Complete a reflective learning exercise and enter professional development plan in their CCI account after passing the exam

  • Future renewals require creating a professional development plan based on their needs

• Earn 200 Professional Development Points during a three-year accrual period

• Log all points activities into their CCI account

  • CCI reviews all logs before approving applications

• Download and complete the CCI recertification application during the recertification period

• Pay application fees

Recertification for CNAMB has annual due dates for reports and other components. Requirements for renewal differ in the first year of recertification compared to subsequent years. Requirements can also vary based on policy changes, so periodically check for updates.

Renewal Fees: Standard $275 / CNAMB Emeritus Status $175

Early Bird Discount between January 1st to July 1st - $245

CNAMB Extension Year $245. This grants applicants an extra year to complete all required continuing education. Candidates must still pay the standard fee when ready to renew.

The following is a list of eligible activities applicants may use to meet the CNAMB renewal requirements:

• Continuing Education through contact hours

• Academic study

• Teaching in an academic setting

• Publishing

• Presentations

• Service on a Board or Committee

• Precepting/Mentoring

• Volunteer on a CCI Test Development Committee

• Earning another accredited perioperative certification

• Clinical Inquiry (Research, Evidence-based practice, Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement)

• Professional perioperative-related volunteer service

• Professional organization activities

• Training certificates

• Reflection

• Games

• Case studies

• Additional points activities

Contact hours approved by any of the following groups are acceptable:

• Accreditation Council for Cont. Medical Education

• American Nurses Credentialing Center

• Any  agency, organization, or an educational institution accredited by ANCC

• Any State Board of Nursing

• Any state nurses’ association

• Association of periOperative Registered Nurses

• Association for Healthcare Resource and Materials Management

• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

• American Association of Neuroscience Nurses

• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses 

• American Academy of Family Practitioners

• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

• American Academy of Physicians Assistants

• American College of Nurse-Midwives

• National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health

• National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners

• Certificates from other groups deemed equivalent to those listed above may be accepted

CCI doesn’t require any specific preparation books or courses. However, they do offer an exam preparation course and the handbook includes sample questions . The following are recommended references for the CNAMB certification examination:

• Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; current edition.

• Odom-Forren, J. Drain’s Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2018. 

• Phillips N. and Hornacky A. Berry and Kohn’s Operating Room Technique. 14th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2021.

• Rothrock JC, ed. Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery. 16th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2019

The CCI also offers the following certifications:

• Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

• Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse (CFPN)

• Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification (CNS-CP)

• Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM)

• Nursing Professional Development Advanced – Board Certified (NPDA-BC)