RNFA—Certification

A Note on RNFA Certification

Once nurses complete the six-credit program they are able to work as an RNFA. While RNFA certification is not mandatory to practice, it is often desirable for employers and reimbursement practices.

A nurse may become RNFA certified by successfully completing the RNFA certification exam administered by the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses.

To be eligible to take the exam you must meet these requirements:

• Complete the RNFA program
• Be currently licensed, without provision or condition, as a registered nurse in the state where you’re practicing surgical nursing
• Be a CNOR or an advanced registered nurse practitioner certified in your specialty
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nursing (MS covers a bachelor's degree in another field.)
• Complete 2,000 documented hours of practice as an RNFA, including pre-, intra-, and post-operative patient care. Pre- and post-operative patient care does not necessarily have to be connected to cases on which you’ve assisted.

Hours may include an RNFA internship or practicum but may not include attendance at classes, programs or seminars.

500 of these hours must have been within the two years immediately preceding application to take the exam.

The exam questions cover 70 percent intraoperative patient care and 30 percent pre- and post-operative patient care. Therefore, 600 of the 2,000 hours required for eligibility may be pre- and post-operative patient care, and at least 1,400 hours must be intraoperative practice.