The CLNC® Certification Exam: What to Expect
Before enrolling in any certification program, most nurses want to know what the exam involves. How many questions are on it? How much time do you have? What score do you need to pass? What happens if you do not pass the first time?
Here is a straightforward overview of the CLNC® Certification Exam and the steps required to earn and maintain CLNC® Certification.
What Is the CLNC® Certification Exam?
The CLNC® Certification Exam is an online examination completed after the CLNC® Certification Program . It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, allows 90 minutes for completion and requires a score of 70% or higher to pass.
The exam evaluates your knowledge of the professional role of a legal nurse consultant. It is included in every CLNC® Certification System.
The exam is not proctored. Once you complete the CLNC® Certification Program and submit the required program evaluation, you can access the exam online and take it at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
CLNC® Certification Exam Requirements at a Glance
- Format: Online
- Questions: 100 multiple-choice questions
- Time limit: 90 minutes
- Passing score: 70% or higher
- Availability: Online 24/7 after completing the program requirements
- Language: English
- Eligibility: An active RN license in the United States or Canada and completion of the CLNC® Certification Program
- Completion period: Within one year of purchasing the program
- Review: Review and change your answers before submitting the exam.
- Results: Displayed immediately after the exam is submitted
What Does the CLNC® Certification Exam Cover?
The exam tests knowledge of the professional role of a legal nurse consultant based on the material taught in the CLNC® Certification Program.
The curriculum covers subjects such as:
- The role of the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
- The litigation process
- Medical-related case screening and analysis
- Standards of care
- Medical record review
- Report writing
- Medical literature research
- Discovery
- Demonstrative evidence
- Consulting and testifying expert roles
- Working with expert witnesses
- Legal and ethical considerations
- Legal nurse consulting business development
The exam is not a general clinical nursing examination. Your nursing background provides the clinical foundation, while the CLNC® Certification Program teaches you how to apply that knowledge within medical-related litigation.
How Difficult Is the CLNC® Certification Exam?
The exam is designed to assess whether you have learned the specialized body of knowledge presented in the CLNC® Certification Program.
Preparation matters. Nurses should complete the full curriculum, review the program materials and allow enough time to become comfortable with legal nurse consulting concepts before beginning the exam.
You have up to one year from the date of purchase to complete the program and take the exam. That allows you to progress through the training at your own pace rather than rushing to test before you feel prepared.
What Happens If You Do Not Pass?
You may retake the CLNC® Certification Exam if you do not earn the required score of 70% or higher.
A retesting fee applies after an unsuccessful attempt. A retesting fee also applies if you begin the exam but do not submit it within the 90-minute testing period.
Not passing on the first attempt does not permanently prevent you from earning the certification. You can return to the program materials, review the body of knowledge and take the exam again after paying the applicable retesting fee.
When Will You Receive Your Results?
Your results are displayed on the screen immediately after you complete and submit the exam.
When you earn a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your CLNC® Certification notice by email and gain access to print your CLNC® Certification certificate.
Are Testing Accommodations Available?
Yes. Candidates with a documented disability or impairment may request special testing arrangements.
Requests must be submitted to LegalNurse.com with documentation from an appropriately licensed professional. Accommodations, including additional testing time when approved, must be arranged in advance. In some circumstances, scheduling may require up to 30 days.
What Does Passing the Exam Mean?
Successful completion of the exam allows a registered nurse to earn CLNC® Certification and use the CLNC certification mark while the certification remains active.
CLNC is a federally registered certification mark of LegalNurse.com. Registered nurses who have not earned CLNC® Certification, or whose certification has expired or been revoked, are not authorized to use the CLNC mark or the title Certified Legal Nurse Consultant.
CLNC® Certification attests to the attainment of specialized knowledge beyond the nursing degree. It can help nurses demonstrate their legal nurse consulting education, professional commitment and specialized proficiency to attorneys and other prospective clients.
Certification is voluntary. It does not constitute a professional license or independently confer the legal right to practice in the legal nurse consulting field.
How Long Does CLNC® Certification Remain Active?
After you successfully complete the CLNC® Certification Exam, your initial certification is valid for two years.
After the initial two-year period, you may renew an unexpired certification for one year at a time. The current renewal options are:
- One-year renewal: $497
- Annual auto-renewal: $447
Renewing your certification maintains your authorization to use the CLNC certification mark and provides continued access to NACLNC® Association member benefits and resources. These include CLNC® mentoring, Advanced CLNC® Webinars and a listing in the NACLNC® Online Directory.
Because pricing and policies may change, candidates and CLNC® consultants should verify current renewal information directly with LegalNurse.com.
Before You Take the Exam
The exam is the final step in the CLNC® Certification Program, not the starting point. Before gaining access to it, you must complete the program and submit the required evaluation.
Registered nurses who are still deciding whether legal nurse consulting is right for them can begin with LegalNurse.com’s free introductory Module 1, The Role of the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant. The online video module provides a substantive introduction to the profession and offers 4.0 nursing continuing professional development contact hours upon completion. No credit card is required.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CLNC® Certification Exam
Is the CLNC® Certification Exam proctored?
No. The CLNC® Certification Exam is an online, non-proctored examination. After completing the CLNC® Certification Program and submitting the required evaluation, eligible candidates can access the exam online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How many questions are on the CLNC® Certification Exam?
The CLNC® Certification Exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 90 minutes to complete and submit the examination.
What score do you need to pass the CLNC® Certification Exam?
You must earn a score of 70% or higher to pass the CLNC® Certification Exam. Your result is displayed immediately after you complete and submit the examination.
What does the CLNC® Certification Exam cover?
The exam tests knowledge of the professional role of a legal nurse consultant and the material taught in the CLNC® Certification Program. Topics include the litigation process, case analysis, standards of care, medical record review, report writing, discovery, expert witnesses, legal and ethical issues, and legal nurse consulting practice.
Is the CLNC® Certification Exam a clinical nursing exam?
No. The exam is not a general test of bedside nursing or clinical specialty knowledge. It focuses on the specialized knowledge nurses need to apply their healthcare expertise to medical-related litigation and legal nurse consulting practice.
When can I take the CLNC® Certification Exam?
You can take the exam after completing the CLNC® Certification Program and submitting the required program evaluation. Once access is unlocked, the online examination is available 24/7. You must complete the program and exam within one year of purchasing the program.
Can I review or change my answers during the exam?
Yes. You may move forward and backward through the examination. If time remains after you answer all the questions, you may review your responses and change them before submitting the exam.
What happens if I do not pass the CLNC® Certification Exam?
You may retake the exam. A retesting fee applies after an unsuccessful attempt. You can review the CLNC® Certification Program materials before taking the exam again.
Is the CLNC® Certification Exam included in the program price?
Yes. The CLNC® Certification Exam fee is included in every CLNC® Certification System. The retesting fee applies if you do not pass or if you fail to submit the examination within the 90-minute limit.
How quickly will I receive my exam results?
Your results are displayed on the screen immediately after you submit the exam. Candidates who pass also receive a CLNC® Certification notice by email and access to print their certification certificate.
Are accommodations available for the CLNC® Certification Exam?
Yes. Candidates with a documented disability or impairment may request special testing arrangements. Documentation from an appropriately licensed professional is required, and all accommodations must be approved by LegalNurse.com before the exam begins.
How long is CLNC® Certification valid after passing the exam?
Passing the initial CLNC® Certification Exam certifies you for two years. After that, an unexpired certification may be renewed annually. Maintaining certification preserves authorization to use the CLNC certification mark and continued access to applicable NACLNC® Association benefits.
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CLNC® and NACLNC® are registered trademarks of LegalNurse.com (Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, Inc.). Exam requirements, fees, renewal pricing and policies are subject to change. Verify current information directly with LegalNurse.com.