CCCN® - Certified Continence Care Nurse
About the CCCN Exam
The Certified Continence Care Nurse (CCCN) credential, granted by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB), certifies registered nurses in the specialty of continence care. It assesses a nurse's knowledge, skills, and judgment in managing urinary and bowel dysfunction, incontinence, and associated conditions.
Earning the CCCN credential communicates advanced expertise in continence care; covering assessment, interventions, collaboration, education, and evidence-based practice. Nurses certified in this specialty help elevate care for individuals with urinary and fecal dysfunction, contribute to better patient outcomes, and lead in the integration of best practices in continence nursing.
CCCN Eligibility Requirements
Candidates are required to fulfill specific requirements to be eligible for the CCCN exam. To take the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) CCCN exam, candidates can take any one of the two main pathways: the Traditional Pathway and the Experiential Pathway.
Who Can Apply?
- 1Traditional Pathway: Candidates should complete a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) Nursing Education Program accredited by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) within the past five years from the date of exam application.
- 2Experiential Pathway - Educational Requirement: Should have at least a bachelor's degree in nursing.
- 3Experiential Pathway - Clinical Practice Hours: Candidates must have completed at least 1,500 hours of clinical practice within the last five years for each specialty area (wound, ostomy, and/or continence), additionally, a minimum of 375 of those hours should be accrued within a year from the date of the exam.
- 4Experiential Pathway - Continuing Education: A minimum of 50 continuing education (CE) credits or contact hours directly related to each specialty area within the past five years.
How to Apply
- 1
Online Application
Apply for the CCCN exam through the WOCNCB official website
- 2
Application Submission
Submit the application along with the application fee and proof of eligibility. The application will then be reviewed by WOCNCB and PSI.
- 3
Scheduling the Exam
It usually takes up to 30 business days to review and approve the application. After approval, you can schedule your exam up to 6 months from the time of application submission (or 12 months prior to current credentials expiration). Testing sessions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For a listing of test sites, refer to the Exam | WOCNCB page.
- 4
Preparation
Our CCCN Question Bank is specially designed to make the most of your preparation. It aligns closely with the official exam blueprint and matches the complexity and composition of the actual exam. You can also find additional resources in the WOCNCB candidate handbook.
CCCN Exam Content & Focus Areas
The WOCNCB provides the following content outline for the CCCN exam:
- Assessment (24.6%): Focuses on collection and interpretation of data related to patients' health status and continence issues, including health history focused assessment.
- Intervention (17.5%): Involves planning and implementation of non-invasive, preventive, and conservative continence care strategies, along with complication prevention.
- Treatment (20.5%): Includes implementing clinical management strategies for management of continence disorders through evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
- Care Planning (14.1%): Emphasizes on development of patient-centered plan of care with the help of assessment and establishing goals of management.
- Education and Referral (23.3%): Patient and caregiver education on continence management, health promotion, and complication prevention, along with appropriate referral guidance to other healthcare and support services.
The CCCN exam comprises 120 multiple choice questions, out of which 110 are scored, and 10 are unscored pretest items. Candidates have 2 hours to complete the exam.
CCCN Exam Content Distribution
- Assessment(24.6%)
- Intervention(17.5%)
- Treatment(20.5%)
- Care Planning(14.1%)
- Education and Referral(23.3%)
Content Categories & Weight
| Content Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Assessment | 24.6% |
| Intervention | 17.5% |
| Treatment | 20.5% |
| Care Planning | 14.1% |
| Education and Referral | 23.3% |
CCCN Application Instructions
Online Application: Apply for the CCCN exam through the WOCNCB official website. Apply | WOCNCB.
Application Submission: Submit the application along with the application fee and proof of eligibility. The application will then be reviewed by WOCNCB and PSI.
Scheduling the Exam: It usually takes up to 30 business days to review and approve the application. After approval, you can schedule your exam up to 6 months from the time of application submission (or 12 months prior to current credentials expiration). Testing sessions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Exam Format: The CCCN exam comprises 120 multiple choice questions, out of which 110 are scored, and 10 are unscored pretest items. Each question offers four response options (A, B, C, D). The exam is administered at designated PSI testing centers, or via Live Remote Proctoring. Candidates have 2 hours to complete the exam.
Preparation: Our CCCN Question Bank is specially designed to make the most of your preparation. It aligns closely with the official exam blueprint and matches the complexity and composition of the actual exam.
Preparation and Resources
CCCN practice questions are aligned with the official exam blueprint and the suggested references. The questions and detailed explanations are designed to reinforce key concepts for continence care, support clinical reasoning, and allow candidates to self-evaluate their readiness for the exam.
- Exam Topics: Assessment, planning, treatment, interventions, and education and referral.
- Question Bank: Our comprehensive CCCN Question Bank includes detailed rationales and 4 timed simulation exams to help you assess readiness, reinforce key concepts, and build confidence for exam day.
Resources for the CCCN Exam
CCCN Question Bank
Our comprehensive CCCN Question Bank includes detailed rationales and 4 timed simulation exams to help you assess readiness and build confidence for exam day.
Explore Question Bank →Exam Format
120 multiple choice questions (110 scored, 10 unscored). Administered at designated PSI testing centers, or via Live Remote Proctoring.
2 hours to complete the exam
WOCNCB Certification
Visit the official WOCNCB website for eligibility requirements, application procedures, and the CCCN candidate handbook.
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CCCN Question Bank
What's included
CCCN Question Bank
What's included
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CCCN Recertification
The CCCN certification is valid for five years. To maintain your credential, you must complete the recertification process before your current certification expires. The WOCNCB offers two pathways through which you can get recertified:
- Recertification Exam: Successfully pass the recertification exam for your specialty area(s). You may apply for the exam up to 12 months before your credential's expiration and must test before it expires.
- Professional Growth Program: Candidates must have at least 10 CE's in the clinical specialty. The portfolio must have at least 80 points, but no more than 90 points and at least half of the portfolio must pertain to the clinical specialty. A maximum of 40 points for practice hours are allowed in each specialty portfolio, corresponding to 2000 practice hours per specialty in the past five years.
CCCN Related Certifications
Explore other WOCNCB credentials in the wound, ostomy, and continence family.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
CCCN Question Bank
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