Big changes are coming to make managing your certification easier, faster, and more intuitive. On May 4, 2026, CCI will launch a brand-new Certification Management System, designed to improve your experience from application through recertification. Here's everything you need to know to prepare. 

In the world of healthcare, certifications play a crucial role in ensuring that professionals possess the knowledge and skills required to provide safe and effective patient care. Both the Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR®), administered through Competency & Credentialing Institute, and the Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA), administered through the National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC), are highly respected in the perioperative field and, in years past, have been attainable through dual recertification. However, after considering the importance of accreditation to both organizations, changes have been made to the recertification process for holders of both credentials.

Understanding the Differences Between Two Specialty Nursing Certifications.

Certification validates a nurse’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in a defined role. The Certified Operating Room Nurse (CNOR) and the Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse (CNAMB) are two certifications that demonstrate commitment to exceptional patient safety. While both certifications validate professional competencies, they differ in eligibility standards, are applicable in different surgical settings, and have a different scope of practice. Discover what credential is best suited for your area of practice.

Spread Holiday Cheer this Year! Create fun celebrations at your facility to increase festivities this holiday season.

Certification allows nurses to demonstrate their commitment to exceptional patient safety. Nurses who attain certification, and the facilities that support them, demonstrate a commitment to improving patient outcomes and mastering the knowledge it takes to do so. Facilities value having certified staff, but a lot of nurses are not certified upon hiring. Getting your staff certified may sound like a daunting task, however, CCI has many resources available to assist in getting your staff certified.

In 2019, CCI was honored to present Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children with the TrueNorth Award. CCI’s TrueNorth Award recognizes facilities that use certification as a compass to guide their perioperative nurses towards being lifelong learners, models of competent practice, and advocates for excellence and patient safety.

Celebrate 40 Years of CNOR With Us

2019 is a noteworthy year at CCI because it marks the 40th anniversary of the CNOR credential. This milestone holds significant value, as it represents 40 years of continued dedication to safe, quality patient care and professional development through lifelong learning. To celebrate, we are taking a moment to reflect on the past 40 years.

Update to Original Blog posted on Jun 11, 2019 10:31:02 AM 

Earning your CNOR represents a deep personal commitment to nursing excellence and outstanding patient care. And that doesn’t end once you pass the exam! To demonstrate your continued competency, you may recertify your credential. Your CNOR credential is valid for a period of five years. After that time period, you may apply for recertification. Simple enough, right? Read on for useful information on the steps to take, available methods, alternatives, and some tips and tricks as you navigate the road to recertification.

CCI's TrueNorth Award was created to recognize those organizations that use CNOR certification to guide their perioperative nursing staff to be lifelong learners, models of competent practice, and advocates for excellence and patient safety. Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children exemplifies this, and we are pleased to announce they are the winner of the 2019 TrueNorth Award. Their commitment to perioperative certification has shown through in numerous ways.