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Unlike many certifying bodies, CCI publishes CNOR pass rates — so we can be
specific. The CNOR is a demanding exam, and the numbers show it.
CNOR first-time pass rates
| Year | First-time pass rate |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 68.0% |
| 2024 | 71.8% |
| 2023 | 69.1% |
| 2022 | 67.6% |
| 2021 | 66.5% |
First-time pass rates have hovered in the high 60s to low 70s — meaning roughly three in ten
first-time candidates do not pass. This is not an exam to walk into cold.
What makes the CNOR challenging?
- It’s broad. 200 questions span eight areas, from electrosurgery and counts to
emergencies, management, and professional accountability. - It rewards judgment, not recall. Many items ask for the best next action in a real
OR scenario — positioning injuries, fires, specimen handling, sterile-field breaks. - The standard is real. You need a scaled 620, and the pass rates show a meaningful
share of candidates fall short on the first try.
How to beat the odds
Practice across all eight content areas with full, timed simulators, and review every rationale.
Our bank gives you 2,200+ CNOR questions across 11 timed tests, plus a free sample to find your weak
spots.
Unlock 2,200+ CNOR practice questions across 11 full-length simulators — $19.99 lifetime →
Frequently asked questions
What is the CNOR pass rate?
CCI publishes CNOR pass rates. The first-time pass rate was 68.0% in 2025, 71.8% in 2024, 69.1% in 2023, 67.6% in 2022, and 66.5% in 2021 — generally in the high 60s to low 70s.
Is the CNOR exam hard?
Yes — first-time pass rates run in the high 60s to low 70s, so roughly three in ten first-time candidates don’t pass. The exam is broad (eight content areas) and rewards perioperative judgment over recall.
How many questions do you need right to pass the CNOR?
Scores are scaled from 200 to 800, and you need a scaled score of 620 to pass; the exact raw number varies with form difficulty.
Sources & references
The exam facts on this page are drawn from official certifying-body materials, reviewed 2026-06-18 by the DrCertifications exam-prep team (10+ years in exam preparation and publishing).