CTRN
BCEN Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN)
Certifies nurses in ground and air critical care patient transport.
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CTRN Exam Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | BCEN Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN) |
| Governing Body | BCEN |
| Number of Questions | 155 |
| Time Limit | 3 hours |
| Passing Score | Raw cut score set by modified Angoff |
| Exam Fee | $285 ASTNA member / $380 non-member |
| Category | Nursing & Nursing School |
| C3RT App Available On | iPhone, iPad, and Mac |
| Official Source | BCEN official website ↗ |
CTRN Content Areas and Domains
| Domain / Content Area |
|---|
| Patient Assessment and Monitoring |
| Airway and Respiratory Management |
| Cardiovascular Management |
| Trauma and Neurological Emergencies |
| Transport Safety and Operations |
Domain areas are sourced from the BCEN content outline.
Topics Covered
- ✓ General Principles of Ground Transport Nursing Practice (22 items)
- ✓ Resuscitation Principles (40 items)
- ✓ Patient Conditions and Principles of Management (65 items)
- ✓ Special Populations (23 items)
How C3RT Helps You Pass the CTRN
Adaptive Practice
Questions adapt to your weak areas automatically so every study session on the CTRN is time well spent.
Diagnostic Mocks
Full-length mock exams timed to the real CTRN format with detailed score breakdowns by topic.
Mistake Bank
Every wrong answer is saved for targeted re-drill. The system resurfaces your mistakes until they stick.
Native on iOS & Mac
Built with SwiftUI, not a web wrapper. Instant load, offline support, hardware-speed rendering.
CTRN Frequently Asked Questions
What does CTRN stand for?
CTRN stands for BCEN Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN). It is administered by BCEN.
Who administers the CTRN?
The BCEN Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN) is administered by BCEN. For official information, visit the BCEN website.
How many questions is the CTRN?
The CTRN consists of 155 questions. Candidates are given 3 hours to complete the exam.
What is the passing score for the CTRN?
The passing score for the CTRN is Raw cut score set by modified Angoff, as set by BCEN. Scoring methodology and passing standards may be updated periodically. Always verify current requirements with the governing body.
How much does the CTRN exam cost?
The CTRN exam fee is $285 ASTNA member / $380 non-member. This fee is set by BCEN and may vary by testing centre, region, or membership status. Additional fees for registration or rescheduling may apply.
How many questions on the CTRN are scored?
BCEN's CTRN FAQ states verbatim: 'The CTRN exam consists of 155 items (130 scored and 25 unscored pretest items).' NOTE A DISCREPANCY IN BCEN'S OWN PUBLISHED MATERIALS: the CTRN Examination Content Outline effective February 2026 totals 150 items across its four domains, and the same FAQ's passing-score answer references '150 scored items'. Treat 155/130 as the FAQ's stated figure and 150 as the content-outline total; BCEN has not reconciled these. Do not silently pick one. Unscored items are used to trial future questions and are indistinguishable from scored items, so treat every question as if it counts.
How is the CTRN scored?
Raw-score standard, not a percentage. BCEN CTRN FAQ states verbatim: 'For the CTRN exam, candidates must answer 99 of the 150 scored items correctly to achieve a passing score.' (This conflicts with the same page's '130 scored' item-count answer — see scoredNote.) Cut score set by modified Angoff with statistical equating; approved by the BCEN Board of Directors. Always confirm the current standard with BCEN before testing.
What should I know about the current CTRN exam blueprint?
Topic counts from the CTRN Examination Content Outline effective February 2026 (sums to 150). Only four major domains are published for CTRN. Certification valid 4 years.
What is the BCEN CTRN (Certified Transport Registered Nurse)?
CTRN is a BCEN specialty certification for nurses who transport critically ill and injured patients across multiple modalities, ground critical care transport, rotor-wing, and fixed-wing. It validates competency in managing high-acuity patients in the transport environment, independent nursing judgment during interfacility transport, and communication with receiving teams.
What are the CTRN eligibility requirements?
Candidates must hold a current RN license and have a minimum of 2 years of transport nursing experience. Transport experience must be in a clinical patient transport role, not administrative or coordination roles. Most candidates also hold CEN or CCRN prior to CTRN.
How hard is the CTRN exam?
CTRN is considered moderately to highly challenging. It covers critical care management during transport, patient stabilization, transport pharmacology, flight physiology (for air transport), hemodynamic monitoring, and management of complex patients (IABP, ventilators, vasopressors) in austere, resource-limited transport environments.
How does CTRN compare to CFRN?
CTRN is a broader transport credential covering all modalities (ground and air), while CFRN is specifically focused on air medical/flight transport with greater emphasis on flight physiology. CFRN candidates must have flight-specific experience; CTRN candidates can qualify with ground CCT experience. Many transport nurses who do both ground and flight transport pursue CTRN, while those in dedicated flight programs pursue CFRN.
How long should I study for the CTRN?
Most candidates study 8–14 weeks. ENA Transport Nursing Core Curriculum, BCEN practice exams, and critical care transport pharmacology are essential resources. If candidates have air transport experience, flight physiology content should be reviewed; if ground-only, critical care hemodynamics is highest priority.
How long is CTRN certification valid?
CTRN is valid for 4 years. Renewal requires a current RN license, active transport nursing practice, and CE hours or renewal by re-examination through BCEN.
C3RT is a native iOS and macOS exam preparation platform covering the BCEN Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN), a Nursing & Nursing School certification, administered by BCEN. C3RT is not affiliated with or endorsed by BCEN. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective organisations. For official exam registration, eligibility requirements, and content outlines, visit the BCEN official website ↗ .