CIC Practice Test 2026 — Free CIC Exam Prep Questions
The CIC exam is the board certification for infection preventionists: nurses, epidemiologists, microbiologists and other professionals who run infection prevention programs. Our practice questions follow CBIC's eight-domain content outline. They include worked surveillance calculations (device-associated rates, SIR, relative risk) and scenario items on isolation, occupational exposures, construction and reprocessing.
In an endoscopy suite, reusable biopsy forceps are cleaned and then high-level disinfected in the same automated endoscope reprocessor as the gastroscopes they are used with. What should the infection preventionist recommend?
CIC format, scoring & key facts
Computer-based through Prometric, at a test center or at home with ProProctor live remote proctoring. Two 90-minute sections (the first 75 questions in Section 1) with an optional 16-minute break between them. An on-screen calculator is provided; test centers supply an erasable whiteboard and remote testers get an online scratch pad.
| Exam | 150 multiple-choice questions (135 scored + 15 pretest) in 3 hours |
|---|---|
| Sections | Two 90-minute sections (75 questions each) with an optional 16-minute break |
| Navigation | Forward-only: no skipping, flagging or changing answers once confirmed |
| Passing score | 700 on a 300–900 scaled score |
| Calculator | On-screen calculator provided at test centers and for remote testing |
| Content outline | New CIC® Content Outline (July 2026) from the 2027 beta onward; the 2021 outline applies to applications made through November 10, 2026 |
| Fee | $445 |
| Retakes | Wait at least 90 days; up to four attempts per year |
| Delivery | Prometric test centers or ProProctor live remote proctoring |
| Language | English; Spanish available from September 1, 2026 |
| Certification | Valid 5 years; recertify by 40 IPUs or by exam |
Facts last verified Nov 3, 2026. Source: www.cbic.org/CBIC/CIC-Certification/About-the-Examination.htm. Always confirm details with CBIC before your exam.
When can you take the CIC?
Testing is offered daily at Prometric centers worldwide and by live remote proctoring. After approval you have 90 days to schedule and test (one 60-day extension is available for $75). CBIC is moving to a new content outline: applications under the 2021 outline closed November 10, 2026; beta testing on the new outline runs March 1 – April 9, 2027 (beta applications November 24, 2026 – February 22, 2027, with 25% off the fee); regular applications reopen May 11, 2027.
Plan backwards from your exam date
What the CIC covers
Every PrepBanq CIC test mirrors the official domain weights.
Domain distribution
% of the exam| Content domain | Weight | ≈ Questions on exam | Our practice questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Processes to Identify Infectious DiseasesPathogen characteristics, interpreting cultures, molecular tests and imaging, specimen handling, contamination vs colonization vs infection, antimicrobial use, risk factors, and epidemiologically significant organisms and special pathogens (22 scored items). | 16.3% | ~22 | 24 questions → |
Surveillance and Epidemiologic InvestigationSurveillance design and definitions, data collection and validation, incidence, prevalence, rates and ratios (DUR, SUR, SIR), statistics, action plans, and outbreak and exposure investigation (23 scored items). | 17% | ~23 | 26 questions → |
Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious AgentsPolicies and risk assessment, hand hygiene, PPE, safe injection, device and procedure risks, AIIRs and respiratory protection, transmission-based precautions, antimicrobial stewardship, immunization programs and emergency preparedness (22 scored items). | 16.3% | ~22 | 25 questions → |
Employee/Occupational HealthExposure follow-up and work restrictions, bloodborne pathogen exposures, healthcare personnel screening and immunization, occupational risk assessment and safe work practices (11 scored items). | 8.1% | ~11 | 12 questions → |
Management and Communication of the Infection Prevention ProgramProgram goals and resources, cost-benefit analysis, key performance indicators, technology integration, stakeholder communication, regulatory compliance and quality improvement tools (16 scored items). | 11.9% | ~16 | 18 questions → |
Education and ResearchLearning needs and adult education, just-in-time feedback, patient and family education, onboarding and competency programs, literature review and critical appraisal of research (15 scored items). | 11.1% | ~15 | 17 questions → |
Environment of CareEnvironmental cleaning and monitoring, water and ventilation risks, environmental pathogens, recalls, contracted services, and construction, renovation and design (13 scored items). | 9.6% | ~13 | 14 questions → |
Cleaning, Disinfection, Sterilization of Medical Devices and EquipmentSpaulding classification and IFUs, reprocessing workflow and documentation audits, reprocessing failures and recalls, endoscopes and probes, and new reprocessing technologies (13 scored items). | 9.6% | ~13 | 14 questions → |
How to register for the CIC
Eligibility
CBIC's eligibility guidelines: post-secondary education in a health-related field (for example a diploma RN, LPN/LVN, or a health-related associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree); direct responsibility for infection prevention and control programs or activities in a healthcare setting, reflected in your current job description; paid infection prevention experience of at least 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, or 3,000 hours in the previous 3 years; and experience in at least two of employee/occupational health, management and communication, and education and research.
Retake policy
If you do not pass, submit a new application and fee. You must wait at least 90 days between attempts, and may take the exam at most four times per year.
Score release
Pass or fail appears on screen when you finish, and Prometric emails the score report within an hour. Passing candidates receive a Pass message without a number; failing candidates receive a scaled score (300–699) and Proficient/Marginal/Deficient feedback for each content area.
Credential renewal
Certification is valid for 5 years and expires December 31 of the fifth year. Recertify with a portfolio of at least 40 Infection Prevention Units (due December 1) or by passing the CIC exam again by December 31.
Your path to passing the CIC
Diagnostic
Free test across every content areaTargeted practice
Drill your weakest areas firstReview
Every option explainedFull simulation
Real format and timingReady
Book your exam with confidenceCIC practice tests
All CIC tests →The full CIC question bank is on its way
All CIC practice tests here are free right now. Leave your email and we'll tell you when the complete question bank, full-length simulations and readiness tracking launch.
CIC FAQ
How many questions are on the CIC?
The CIC has 150 questions (135 of them scored) and you have 3 hours to finish. Question types: Multiple choice, single response: 150 questions, of which 135 are scored and 15 are unscored pretest questions. Navigation is forward-only: you answer every question in order and cannot skip, flag, go back or change a confirmed answer. Text highlight and strikeout tools are available..
How long is the CIC exam?
Testing time for the CIC is 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the CIC?
CIC passing standard: Scaled score of at least 700 on a 300–900 scale (passing point set by the Angoff method). Score range: 300–900 scaled.
How much does the CIC cost?
The CIC registration fee is $445 examination fee. Check the official site for current fees before you register.
What is on the CIC?
The CIC covers Processes to Identify Infectious Diseases (about 16.3%), Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation (about 17%), Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents (about 16.3%), Employee/Occupational Health (about 8.1%), Management and Communication of the Infection Prevention Program (about 11.9%), Education and Research (about 11.1%), Environment of Care (about 9.6%), Cleaning, Disinfection, Sterilization of Medical Devices and Equipment (about 9.6%).
Who administers the CIC?
The Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) Exam is administered by CBIC. Delivery: Computer-based through Prometric, at a test center or at home with ProProctor live remote proctoring. Two 90-minute sections (the first 75 questions in Section 1) with an optional 16-minute break between them. An on-screen calculator is provided; test centers supply an erasable whiteboard and remote testers get an online scratch pad.
Can you retake the CIC?
If you do not pass, submit a new application and fee. You must wait at least 90 days between attempts, and may take the exam at most four times per year.
Is there a free CIC practice test?
Yes. PrepBanq has 15 free CIC practice tests with 150 exam-style questions in the real CIC formats, and every answer is explained. No credit card is needed.
CIC practice test reviews
No reviews yet. Took a free CIC practice test? Tell other test-takers how it went.
Related medical professional exams
Your CIC prep starts with one free test.
Instant score report · no credit card.