CEN Practice Test 2026 — Free CEN Exam Prep Questions
The CEN is the specialty certification for registered nurses who practice emergency nursing across the lifespan. Our practice questions follow BCEN's CEN Examination Content Outline effective July 2026, with ED-style triage and resuscitation vignettes covering all 11 categories, from cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological emergencies to toxicology, obstetric emergencies and professional issues.
An 82-year-old presents with 6 hours of diffuse abdominal pain. Vital signs are heart rate 124 beats/min, BP 98/62 mm Hg, respiratory rate 24 breaths/min and SpO2 95%. The patient is alert and will need laboratory tests, CT and IV fluids. The nurse should assign
CEN format, scoring & key facts
Computer-based, fixed-form exam delivered by PSI at test centers or by Live Remote Proctoring at a location of your choice. Up to two 10-minute breaks; the clock keeps running.
| Questions | 175 multiple-choice items: 150 scored + 25 unscored pretest |
|---|---|
| Time | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Passing score | 99 of 150 scored items (from July 6, 2026) |
| Content outline | 11 domains, effective July 6, 2026, based on BCEN's 2025 role delineation study |
| Delivery | PSI test centers or Live Remote Proctoring |
| Results | Immediate pass/fail, with raw scores by content area |
| Fee | $380 ($285 ENA members, $195 military) |
| Retakes | Unlimited, 90 days apart; $200 retest within one year |
| Certification | 4 years; renew by exam or 100 CE contact hours |
Facts last verified Oct 17, 2026. Source: bcen.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BCEN-CEN-ECO-2025-effective-07-2026_FINAL.pdf. Always confirm details with BCEN before your exam.
When can you take the CEN?
Apply online through your BCEN account, then schedule with PSI within your 90-day testing window. Test center or live remote proctoring; no walk-ins.
Plan backwards from your exam date
What the CEN covers
Every PrepBanq CEN test mirrors the official domain weights.
Domain distribution
% of the exam| Content domain | Weight | ≈ Questions on exam | Our practice questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Cardiovascular Emergencies18 items: ACS, dissection, arrest, dysrhythmias, heart failure, tamponade, thromboembolic disease, cardiovascular trauma, cardiogenic and obstructive shock. | 12% | ~18 | 18 questions → |
Respiratory Emergencies17 items: aspiration, asthma, COPD, infections, inhalation injury, obstruction, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolus, respiratory trauma, croup. | 11.3% | ~17 | 17 questions → |
Neurological Emergencies17 items: headache, increased ICP, meningitis, seizures, stroke and TIA, head and spinal cord trauma, neurogenic shock. | 11.3% | ~17 | 17 questions → |
Gastrointestinal Emergencies14 items: appendicitis, bleeding, cholecystitis, cirrhosis and varices, obstruction, pancreatitis, intussusception, GI trauma. | 9.3% | ~14 | 14 questions → |
Genitourinary, Gynecology, and Obstetrical Emergencies10 items: renal calculi, testicular torsion, renal failure, sexual assault, ectopic pregnancy, emergent delivery, preeclampsia and HELLP, obstetric hemorrhage and trauma. | 6.7% | ~10 | 10 questions → |
Mental Health Emergencies13 items: aggressive behavior, anxiety, depression, suicidal and homicidal ideation, intentional overdose, psychotic and bipolar disorders. | 8.7% | ~13 | 13 questions → |
Medical Emergencies15 items: anaphylaxis, hematologic, electrolyte and endocrine disorders, immunocompromise, sepsis, hypovolemic and distributive shock, substance use and withdrawal. | 10% | ~15 | 15 questions → |
Musculoskeletal and Wound Emergencies11 items: amputation, compartment syndrome, fractures, dislocations, osteomyelitis, degloving, injection injuries, lacerations, penetrating wounds. | 7.3% | ~11 | 11 questions → |
Head, Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Emergencies10 items: facial nerve disorders, maxillofacial trauma, eye injuries and vision-threatening conditions, vestibular dysfunction, epistaxis, epiglottitis, peritonsillar abscess. | 6.7% | ~10 | 10 questions → |
Environment and Toxicology Emergencies, and Communicable Diseases13 items: burns, electrical and submersion injuries, temperature emergencies, bites, acids and alkalis, carbon monoxide, cyanide, C. difficile, vaccine-preventable diseases, tuberculosis, MDROs. | 8.7% | ~13 | 13 questions → |
Professional Issues12 items: prioritization (triage, mass casualty, patient throughput) and legal and ethical issues (end-of-life care, forensic evidence, federal regulations, consent, abuse and neglect, drug diversion, workplace violence). | 8% | ~12 | 12 questions → |
How to register for the CEN
Eligibility
A current, unencumbered RN license in the US, a US territory, Canada or Australia (or an equivalent foreign credential verified by BCEN's evaluation partner). Two years of emergency nursing experience is recommended but not required.
Retake policy
Unlimited attempts with a 90-day waiting period between attempts; a discounted retest fee applies within one year of the first exam.
Score release
Pass/fail results are given immediately at the end of the exam and by email.
Credential renewal
Certification lasts 4 years. Recertify by exam or with 100 contact hours of continuing education in the 4-year period (at least 75 clinical emergency nursing hours).
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CEN FAQ
How many questions are on the CEN?
The CEN has 175 questions (150 of them scored) and you have 3 hours to finish. Question types: Multiple choice with 4 options and one preferred response. 150 items are scored and 25 are unscored pretest items. Five practice questions at the start familiarize you with the software..
How long is the CEN exam?
Testing time for the CEN is 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the CEN?
CEN passing standard: 99 of 150 scored items correct (exams taken on or after July 6, 2026). Score range: Raw score out of 150, reported as pass/fail with results by content area.
How much does the CEN cost?
The CEN registration fee is $380 standard; $285 for ENA members; $195 for military. Test Assurance (a no-fee second attempt) raises these to $450, $355 and $265. Retest $200 within one year of the initial exam. Check the official site for current fees before you register.
What is on the CEN?
The CEN covers Cardiovascular Emergencies (about 12%), Respiratory Emergencies (about 11.3%), Neurological Emergencies (about 11.3%), Gastrointestinal Emergencies (about 9.3%), Genitourinary, Gynecology, and Obstetrical Emergencies (about 6.7%), Mental Health Emergencies (about 8.7%), Medical Emergencies (about 10%), Musculoskeletal and Wound Emergencies (about 7.3%), Head, Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Emergencies (about 6.7%), Environment and Toxicology Emergencies, and Communicable Diseases (about 8.7%), Professional Issues (about 8%).
Who administers the CEN?
The Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Exam is administered by BCEN. Delivery: Computer-based, fixed-form exam delivered by PSI at test centers or by Live Remote Proctoring at a location of your choice. Up to two 10-minute breaks; the clock keeps running.
Can you retake the CEN?
Unlimited attempts with a 90-day waiting period between attempts; a discounted retest fee applies within one year of the first exam.
Is there a free CEN practice test?
Yes. PrepBanq has 15 free CEN practice tests with 150 exam-style questions in the real CEN formats, and every answer is explained. No credit card is needed.
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