Understanding the requirements for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) recertification doesn’t have to be so challenging. Created by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA), recertification ensures CRNAs remain at the appropriate skill level to administer safe and proper care.
If you want help understanding the steps to take toward CRNA recertification, you’re not alone. Let us walk you through the requirements!
Table of Contents
- The Maintaining Anesthesia Certification (MAC) Program
- The Continued Professional Certification (CPC) Program
- CPC glossary: What you need to know about the requirements
- How to earn CRNA continuing education credits
The NBCRNA offers two distinct programs to maintain your CRNA certification: the Continued Professional Certification (CPC) Program, and the newly introduced Maintaining Anesthesia Certification (MAC) Program. However, it’s important to note that the CPC Program will be sunsetting on August 1, 2025. After this date, the MAC Program will be the sole pathway for CRNA recertification. We’ll explore both options, so you’ll know exactly what you need to recertify regardless of the program you’re in.
The Maintaining Anesthesia Certification (MAC) Program
NBCRNA recertification requirements have evolved. The new MAC Program will replace the CPC Program, and all CRNAs will be enrolled in the program by 2026.
The MAC Program simplifies the recertification process; it’s a consistent 4-year cycle with the same requirements every cycle!
In the MAC Program, you’ll complete:
- MAC Ed (A new name for 60 Class A credits – see details in the Class A Credits section above)
- MAC Dev (A new name for 40 Class B credits – see details in the Class B Credits section above)
- MAC Check (Replaces the CPCA)
Although CPC Core Modules aren’t required for the MAC Program, they’re an efficient way to stay at the forefront of anesthesia practice while earning Class A credits.
What is the MAC Check?
Available on computers and mobile devices, the MAC Check is a longitudinal, quarterly assessment that tracks your progress and performance over a longer period of time.
The MAC Program is divided into 16 quarters. You’ll complete the MAC Check in 13 of the first 15 quarters, and you’ll get to pick 2 quarters where you can skip the MAC Check. Also, you won’t have to complete the MAC Check in your 16th quarter.
How does the MAC Check work?
In your 1st quarter, you’ll complete 25 multiple-choice and multi-select questions. Each question is timed for 1 minute, and you can bank unused time and apply it to subsequent questions. The platform will provide immediate feedback after each question, including the rationale for correct answers. You’ll also be able to view areas for improvement to guide your CE and development activities. In subsequent quarters, you’ll complete up to 30 questions.
If you answer a question incorrectly, you’ll encounter it again in a subsequent quarter. Re-administered questions make up to 5 incorrectly answered questions in each quarter, totaling between 25 to 30 questions.
Once you have completed 4 Mac Check quarters, you’ll receive preliminary feedback to see where you stand in regards to the performance standard. After the 13th knowledge check is completed, you’ll receive a final measurement for that cycle.
Explore the MAC sample to familiarize yourself with the new platform.
What happens if I “fail”?
If you don’t meet the performance standard, you must earn additional 5 MAC Ed (Class A) credits per domain where you don’t meet the passing standard. These credits are in addition to your 60 Class A credit requirement. Like the CPCA, MAC Check is not a pass/fail assessment, and you will not lose your certification so long as you complete the remediation requirements prescribed by the NBCRNA. However, completion of the MAC Check is required.
For more information on credit requirements based on MAC Check performance, please read What Every CRNA Needs to Know about the MAC Program.
The Continued Professional Certification (CPC) Program
The CRNA recertification program you may be most familiar with is the CPC Program.
The CPC Program consists of two 4-year cycles, totaling 8 years.
In the first 4-year cycle, CRNAs complete:
- 60 Class A credits
- 40 Class B credits
- CPC Core Modules
- Airway Management
- Applied Clinical Pharmacology
- Physiology/Pathophysiology
- Anesthesia Equipment and Technology
In the second 4-year cycle, CRNAs complete:
- 60 Class A credits
- 40 Class B credits
- CPC Core Modules
- Airway Management
- Applied Clinical Pharmacology
- Physiology/Pathophysiology
- Anesthesia Equipment and Technology
- CPC Assessment
Each cycle requires a midpoint check-in where you must validate your state licensure, confirm active practice, and update your contact information with the NBCRNA.
At the end of each 4-year cycle, you’ll log into the NBCRNA portal to complete your application and pay the fee, provide documentation of current licensure, demonstrate you’ve completed the CPC Program, and submit a record of anesthesia practice.
CPC glossary: What you need to know about the requirements
Class A Credits
Class A credits can be earned by completing continuing education courses, webinars, and Core Modules. They must have prior approval by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) and include an assessment.
Class B Credits
Class B credits can be earned by various methods including conducting research, teaching, publishing, and more. Check out our Guide on CRNA Class B Credits to learn more. You must keep an accurate record of these credits as they don’t require prior AANA approval or an assessment. You can also earn additional Class A credits after completing the required 60 to satisfy your Class B requirements.
CPC Core Modules
The CPC Core Modules are specialized Class A credits that teach up-to-date, evidence-based practice trends in the four domains of CRNA practice. Although CPC Core Modules aren’t required for the MAC Program, they’re an efficient way to stay at the forefront of anesthesia practice while earning Class A credits.
CPC Assessment (CPCA)
The CPCA is a three-hour, 150-question assessment. You must complete the assessment for CRNA recertification, but it is not a pass-fail exam. It’s a tool to measure your knowledge, and your results will help you identify focus areas for additional study.
How to earn CRNA continuing education credits
Meeting your CRNA continuing education requirements is simple with the right resources. Whether you’re in the CPC Program or MAC Program, APEX offers convenient, cost-efficient bundles to support your recertification.
As CRNAs, we understand how challenging it can be to fit CRNA continuing education credits into your busy schedule. That’s why our online courses are available anytime, anywhere, and award Class A credits, meeting the CPC Program Standards as well as the MAC Ed and MAC Dev requirements.
We’re here to help you on your CRNA recertification journey. Choose a bundle that works best for you today.
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