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CNAMB Certification: Overview and FAQ

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Written by Ann Real, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare

The Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse (CNAMB) is a specialized credential designed for registered nurses (RNs) who work in ambulatory surgical settings, such as outpatient surgery centers or same-day surgery clinics. This certification highlights your expertise in providing comprehensive care to surgical patients, from pre-op through recovery, and sets you up for career growth, including leadership and promotion opportunities.

With about 16.4 million ambulatory surgery procedures occurring in the U.S. each year, your specialized skills are an asset. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know to get certified, from eligibility to the application process and exam details.

CNAMB Certification: Snapshot

Eligibility: You must have a current, unrestricted RN license, an academic nursing degree (nursing diploma, ADN, or higher), and at least 2 years (2,400 hours) of experience in an ambulatory surgery setting, including a minimum of 500 hours in intraoperative settings.
Preparation: Read the certification handbook, review the exam study outline, practice answering sample questions, attend certification webinars, and consider investing in the on-demand preparation course.
Application process: Create an account on the CCI website, fill out the necessary forms, upload your documents, and wait for instructions on scheduling your exam.
Exam: The test will have 200 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll have 3 hours and 45 minutes to answer them.
Cost: The exam fee is $394.
Renewal: You’ll need to renew your credential every 3 years.

CNAMB Meaning

CNAMB stands for Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse. It’s awarded by the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI). It signifies not only specialized training and extensive clinical experience but also the successful completion of a rigorous certification exam — proving your expertise and commitment to excellence.

Want a glimpse into the exam content? The test is structured around nine knowledge areas, ensuring nurses are well-prepared to meet the specific needs of surgical patients.

Knowledge area	Examples of topics
Preoperative patient assessment and diagnosis	Health assessment techniques Presurgery risk assessment Pain management
Preoperative plan of care	Patient rights and responsibilities Perioperative safety Transcultural nursing theory
Intraoperative care	Infection prevention and control Surgical procedures Wound healing
Communication	Information technology and HIPAA guidelines Barriers to communication Communication techniques
Postoperative/transfer of care	Community-based resources Regulatory guidelines concerning postoperative follow-up Hemodynamic monitoring
Instrument processing and supply management	Transportation of equipment, instruments, and supplies Disinfecting techniques Hazardous materials exposure
Emergency situations	Preparation for and management of medical emergencies Roles of the interdisciplinary healthcare team during emergency situations Management of environmental hazards and natural disasters
Management of personnel, services, and materials	Perioperative resource management Personal protective equipment Scope of practice for the interdisciplinary team per regulatory agencies (e.g., Nurse Practice Act)
Professional accountability	Patient’s rights and advocacy Local, state, and federal regulatory requirements Professional development resources

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Steps to Get a CNAMB Certification

Ready to get certified? Here’s everything you need to know to make it happen.

Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements

Your first step is meeting the exam’s eligibility criteria. Here’s what you’ll need to have ready to sit for the exam:

A current, unrestricted RN license in your state or country of practice
An academic nursing degree (nursing diploma, associate degree, or higher)
At least 2 years (2,400 hours) of experience in an ambulatory surgery setting, including a minimum of 500 hours in the intraoperative setting

Keep in mind that your work setting can be hospital-based, free-standing, or physician-owned, and your role may be clinical, administrative, educational, or research-related. Volunteer experience, even if unpaid, also counts.

Step 2: Prepare for the CNAMB Exam

CCI provides a wealth of resources to help you succeed on exam day. First, they have a detailed study plan that breaks down the test blueprint into manageable milestones, allowing you to tailor it to your schedule. You can also take advantage of additional resources, such as the following:

Additionally, CCI lists specific books that exam questions will be based on. These texts can help you find the most accurate answers as you study each topic in your outline:

Guidelines for Perioperative Practice by the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
Berry and Kohn’s Operating Room Technique by Nancymarie Phillips and Anita Hornacky
Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery by Jane C. Rothrock
Drain’s Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach by Jan Odom-Forren

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Ready to test? Make it official by registering for the exam. Create a CCI account, choose your exam, and complete the application. You’ll need to upload documents proving you meet eligibility requirements, such as the following:

RN license
Perioperative work history
Employer information
Supervisor contact details
Payment information

Your application will be reviewed, and once it’s approved, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to schedule your exam. From there, you’ll have a three-month window to schedule and take the exam at either a PSI testing center or from your own computer through a remote secure proctored exam (RSPE).

Step 4: Submit a Payment

To finish your registration, you’ll need to pay the exam fee. Here’s what to expect:

Exam fee: $394
On-demand prep course (optional): $195
Books (optional): Up to $315, depending on your selection

Step 5: Pass the Exam

You’ve studied diligently — now it’s time to put all that brainpower to the test. Here’s a brief overview of what you’ll encounter on exam day:.

Your exam will consist of 200 questions (185 scored and 15 unscored).
Your time limit for the test is 3 hours 45 minutes.
You’ll need to score at least 620 to pass the exam, with scores ranging from 200 to 800.
You’ll receive your pass/fail notification immediately upon finishing the exam.

Step 6: Maintain Your Certification

Congrats on getting certified — you’re now an expert in your field. To keep your edge in this constantly evolving industry, you’ll need to renew your certification every three years. Here’s what you need to keep your credential active:

Hold an active CNAMB credential.
Have a current RN license.
Accumulate at least 1,500 hours of perioperative work experience in ambulatory surgery settings (at least 500 hours per year).
Earn 200 professional activity points from 17 categories, including precepting new nurses, engaging in professional organization activities, and even playing games.
Pay the $289 renewal fee.

Don’t want to renew? No problem. You can take an extension year or move your certification to emeritus status.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNAMB Certification

How difficult is the CNAMB exam?

The exam is comprehensive, covering specialty-specific topics for operating room and surgical settings. Your preparedness will make a big impact on your perception of the test’s difficulty. Here are the exam pass rates:

First time pass: 83.9%
Retakes pass: 21.4%

What do I do if I don’t pass the exam?

Consider enrolling in the Take 2 program, which gives you two attempts to pass the exam within a year. If you don’t pass on the first try, you can register for a second attempt after your three-month testing window ends, but no later than nine months from your original application date. Just remember, the Take 2 program has a higher upfront fee.

CNAMB vs. CNOR: What’s the difference?

Both certifications are issued by CCI and recognize expertise in perioperative nursing, but they differ in the scope of practice, eligibility requirements, and surgical settings where you can apply them. The Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) credential is tailored for nurses working in inpatient settings, such as hospitals and surgical centers. On the other hand, CNAMB is aimed at nurses in outpatient settings, including clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and hospital outpatient departments.

How do I verify my certification?

CCI provides an online verification tool where you can look up your certification by entering your name, record number, email, and postal code. After hitting the search button, your credential details will appear.

What accreditation does this credential hold?

CCI credentials are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

Where can I work with this certification?

Certified CNAMB nurses can work in a variety of ambulatory care settings, particularly those that require knowledge of surgical nursing. Here are some places where you might work:

You can also work in minimally invasive surgical settings, such as interventional radiology, endoscopic procedures, and cath labs.

Related Certifications

Want to boost your qualifications even higher? Consider these additional certifications:

Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)
Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)
Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)
Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC)
Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN)
Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)

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