CRRN Study Guide and Practice Questions

Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN®) certification is a recognized way to demonstrate clinical skill and specialized knowledge in rehabilitation nursing. Preparing for the CRRN exam calls for a focused approach that includes understanding the content outline, reviewing relevant materials, and applying knowledge through repeated practice.

This CRRN study guide provides a clear roadmap to help structure your preparation. Whether you’re getting started or fine-tuning your final review, this article outlines key focus areas, study strategies, and includes access to downloadable CRRN practice questions to reinforce what you’ve learned.

What is the CRRN Certification?

The CRRN certification is administered by the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB) and is designed for nurses who specialize in rehabilitation care across various settings—including acute rehab hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health.

The exam itself covers four main domains of practice:

• Nursing Models and Theories

• Functional Health Patterns

• The Function of the Rehabilitation Team and Transitions of Care

• Legislative, Economic, Ethical, and Legal Issues

To qualify for the exam, candidates must have a current RN license and at least two years of experience in rehabilitation nursing within the past five years, or one year if paired with a graduate-level nursing degree.

View the full RNCB eligibility requirements.

CRRN Study Guide and Practice Questions

Submit a few brief details to unlock your CRRN Study Guide & Practice Questions

CRRN exam application details

The next CRRN exam window is December 1st to 30th, 2025.

Application deadlines:

• Standard deadline: October 15, 2025

• Late deadline (with $100 fee): November 1, 2025

Examination fees:

• $300 for ARN members

• $460 for non-members

• $100 late fee (if applying after the standard deadline)

Applications are submitted online through the RNCB portal. Apply early to secure your preferred testing date and avoid the late fee.

CRRN study guide: How to structure your review

A good CRRN study guide breaks down content by domain, aligns with the official exam blueprint, and includes both didactic content and applied learning opportunities. Here’s a breakdown of how to organize your preparation:

1. Review the exam blueprint

The first step in any CRRN exam prep is understanding the official blueprint. As of the latest update, the exam consists of 150 scored multiple-choice questions (plus 25 unscored pretest items), which must be completed in three hours. Here’s the approximate breakdown by content area:

Start by printing out the exam content outline from the RNCB site. Use this as a checklist to guide your study sessions.

2. Focus on functional health patterns

Since Functional Health Patterns makeup half the exam, they deserve special attention. This domain includes:

• Neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation

• Bowel and bladder management

• Skin integrity and wound care

• Pain, sleep, and fatigue management

• Psychosocial and cognitive considerations

When reviewing this domain, prioritize materials that offer case-based learning, visual aids, and clinical reasoning prompts. Pairing textbook review with online modules, videos, and quizzes can support retention and application.

3. Integrate active practice with CRRN practice questions

Practice questions are one of the most effective ways to reinforce concepts, identify weak areas, and improve test-taking confidence. Use the following strategies to make the most of your practice sets:

• Time your sessions to build endurance for the three-hour exam window.

• Group questions by topic (e.g., skin integrity, mobility, team communication) to identify knowledge gaps.

• Review answer rationales, not just correct answers—understanding why each choice is correct or incorrect builds stronger clinical judgment.

4. Build a realistic study schedule

Spacing out study over several weeks or months helps build long-term retention and prevents burnout. Consider this sample six-week CRRN study plan:

Balance intense study sessions with short breaks to give your brain time to recharge and improve retention.

Test day tips

After completing the study guide and multiple rounds of practice questions, the last step is preparing for test day. Keep these reminders in mind:

• Proctoring options: The exam is administered by Prometric and can be taken in person at a testing center or online with remote proctoring.

• Strict check-in procedures: Bring valid photo identification and review RNCB exam policies ahead of time to avoid delays.

• No breaks allowed: The CRRN exam lasts three hours, and no breaks are permitted unless approved under ADA accommodations. Plan accordingly so you can stay focused throughout the full session.

• Pacing matters: Aim for about one question per minute. Flag challenging items to revisit later if time allows.

• Read carefully: Take your time with each question and pay attention to details—sometimes a single word can change the correct answer.

How Medbridge can support your CRRN prep

Medbridge offers a self-guided CRRN Prep Program aligned with the official exam blueprint. With expert-led courses, interactive tools, and realistic practice exams, you’ll have everything you need to prepare with confidence.

What’s included:

• 25+ video-based modules taught by top instructors

• 300 practice questions across four simulated exams

• Downloadable study tools and recommended readings

• Case-based examples to connect clinical knowledge to exam scenarios

• Progress tracking to identify strengths and weaknesses
  

With a 93 percent pass rate among certification prep subscribers, Medbridge is built to help you succeed on test day while earning CEUs and advancing your career.

Your path to CRRN success

Preparing for the CRRN exam is a significant commitment, but with a structured study plan, targeted practice, and the right resources, success is within reach. Use this CRRN study guide to organize your efforts, and take advantage of the included practice questions to apply what you’ve reviewed.

References

1. Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB). https://rehabnurse.org/crrn-certification