{"id":43268,"date":"2018-06-30T19:01:31","date_gmt":"2018-06-30T19:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=43268"},"modified":"2026-05-13T11:47:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T16:47:37","slug":"tcrn-test","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/tcrn-test\/","title":{"rendered":"TCRN<sup>&reg;<\/sup> Practice Test"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Trauma Certified Registered Nurse<sup>&reg;<\/sup> (TCRN<sup>&reg;<\/sup>) exam is administered by BCEN to assess the knowledge and skills of prospective trauma care nurses.<\/p>\n<p>Click \u201cStart Test\u201d above to take a free TCRN practice test, and check out our premium-quality TCRN test prep resources by clicking the links below!<\/p>\n<div class=\"buttonlinks\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/tcrn\/\" class=\"class_names\" style=\"color:black;\" onclick=\"_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Guide Button', 'Guide Click', 'TraumaCRN Guide Click']);\">TCRN Study Guide<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/tcrn\/\" class=\"class_names\" style=\"color:black;\" onclick=\"_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Flashcard Button', 'Flashcard Button Click', 'TraumaCRN Flashcard Click']);\">TCRN Flashcards<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Exam_Eligibility\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Exam Eligibility<\/h2>\n<p>Although it is not necessary, BCEN advises that you have at least two years of experience in your specialty area. You must also possess a valid, unrestricted RN license in the United States, Canada, or Australia to be eligible to take the exam.<\/p>\n<p>You might not be permitted to take the exam if your license has been limited, restricted, or suspended by a nursing authority.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"TCRN_Exam_Outline\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>TCRN Exam Outline<\/h2>\n<p>The TCRN exam contains 175 multiple-choice questions, 25 of which are unscored, and you will be given a 3-hour time limit.<\/p>\n<p>The exam is split into six content categories:<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"I_Clinical_Practice_Head_and_Neck_(31_scored_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>I. Clinical Practice: Head and Neck (31 scored questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this domain assess your knowledge and skills related to the following areas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Traumatic brain injuries<\/li>\n<li>Spinal cord injuries<\/li>\n<li>Secondary injury prevention<\/li>\n<li>Ocular trauma<\/li>\n<li>Facial fractures<\/li>\n<li>Neck trauma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"II_Clinical_Practice_Trunk_and_Pelvis_(38_scored_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>II. Clinical Practice: Trunk and Pelvis (38 scored questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this domain assess your knowledge and skills related to the following areas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Thoracic trauma<\/li>\n<li>Abdominal trauma<\/li>\n<li>Pelvic and genitourinary trauma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"III_Clinical_Practice_Musculoskeletal_and_Wound_(13_scored_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>III. Clinical Practice: Musculoskeletal and Wound (13 scored questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this domain assess your knowledge and skills related to the following areas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Vertebral injuries<\/li>\n<li>Compartment syndrome<\/li>\n<li>Extremity fractures<\/li>\n<li>Amputations<\/li>\n<li>Soft tissue injuries<\/li>\n<li>Dislocations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"IV_Special_Populations_(22_scored_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>IV. Special Populations (22 scored questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this domain assess your knowledge and skills related to the following areas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Chemical burns<\/li>\n<li>Electrical burns<\/li>\n<li>Thermal burns<\/li>\n<li>Inhalation injuries<\/li>\n<li>Bariatric<\/li>\n<li>Victims of violence<\/li>\n<li>Comorbidities and pre-existing conditions<\/li>\n<li>Substance use disorder<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"V_Continuum_of_Care_for_Trauma_(36_scored_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>V. Continuum of Care for Trauma (36 scored questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this domain assess your knowledge and skills related to the following areas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Resuscitation<\/li>\n<li>Shock<\/li>\n<li>Acute care<\/li>\n<li>Complications and hospital events<\/li>\n<li>Psychosocial issues<\/li>\n<li>Rehabilitation and multi-disciplinary care<?li>\n<li>End-of-life<\/li>\n<li>Injury prevention<\/li>\n<li>Pre-hospital care<\/li>\n<li>Patient transfer<\/li>\n<li>Discharge planning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"VI_Professional_Practice_(10_scored_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>VI. Professional Practice (10 scored questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this domain assess your knowledge and skills related to the following areas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Patient safety<\/li>\n<li>Disaster management<\/li>\n<li>Trauma quality improvement<\/li>\n<li>Regulations and standards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sg-box-title\">Check Out Mometrix's TCRN Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"sg-box-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/tcrn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get Your Study Guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/tcrn\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"184\" height=\"238\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/traumacrn.jpg\" alt=\" Study Guide\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Registration\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Registration<\/h2>\n<p>To apply for the TCRN exam, you must visit the BCEN website and create an account.<\/p>\n<p>Before you can schedule your exam, you need to pay the examination fee. The exam fee is $380, with discounts available for STN members and active-duty military, reservists, and veterans.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Online_Registration\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Online Registration<\/h3>\n<p>You can register for the exam online at the BCEN website. Your registration is processed immediately, giving you the opportunity to schedule your exam on the day you apply. Payment is accepted by credit card or prepaid voucher (obtained through your employer, if applicable).<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Registration_by_Mail\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Registration by Mail<\/h3>\n<p>To pay the examination fee by check or money order, complete the registration process online at the BCEN website. Print your \u201cConfirmation of Form Completion\u201d and mail, with your payment, to BCEN. An exam eligibility email is sent when your registration fee is received. Mailed registrations can take up to four weeks to process, and you cannot schedule your exam until you receive the email.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Test_Day\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Test Day<\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Inperson_Testing\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>In-person Testing<\/h3>\n<p>You must check in for your appointment at least 30 minutes before your exam starts. You will be asked to provide at least one form of valid ID, review and sign the rules and regulations agreement, and store your items in the designated area. The proctor will take your photo and direct you to your testing station, where you are provided two sheets of paper during the exam. The only item you can have at your station is a writing utensil. Everything else is stored or left at home.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Live_Remote_Proctoring\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Live Remote Proctoring<\/h3>\n<p>You must complete the check-in process within 30 minutes of your scheduled appointment time. Before your exam can begin, the proctor will ask you to download the secure browser, complete a system check of your computer, test your microphone and web camera, and scan your testing area using your computer\u2019s camera. Finally, you will present your ID and have your photograph taken.<\/p>\n<p>Your camera and microphone must remain on during the exam. Your desk must be clean, with only two pieces of blank paper and a writing utensil accessible. You can only use one monitor during the exam; extra monitors need to be unplugged. Once your check-in is complete and your testing area meets approval, your exam will begin.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"How_the_Exam_is_Scored\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>How the Exam is Scored<\/h2>\n<p>If you take the exam at a testing center, you will be given a printed copy of your score report before you leave. If you take the exam via remote proctor, your pass or fail status will be displayed on your computer screen. A copy of your score report is sent immediately to your BCEN account, regardless of the testing method.<\/p>\n<p>Your exam score is based on the number of questions you answered correctly, and your final score is not based on a curve. You must answer at least 96 questions correctly to pass the exam and receive certification. If you pass, your certification is valid for four years. A certificate and wallet card is mailed to the address on file with BCEN within 15 business days.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Retaking_the_Test\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Retaking the Test<\/h2>\n<p>You can take the TCRN exam as often as needed to pass the exam, but you must wait 90 days between attempts. After the 90-day waiting period, you must submit a retest exam application and pay the applicable fee through your BCEN account.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sg-box-title\">Check Out Mometrix's TCRN Flashcards<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get complex  subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"sg-box-button blue-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/tcrn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get Your Flashcards<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/tcrn\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"238\" height=\"184\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/traumacrnflash.jpg\" alt=\" Flashcards\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"How_to_Study_for_the_TCRN_Exam\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>How to Study for the TCRN Exam<\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"How_to_Study_Effectively\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>How to Study Effectively<\/h3>\n<p>Your success on TCRN test day depends not only on how many hours you put into preparing but also on whether you prepared the right way. It\u2019s good to check along the way to see whether your studying is paying off. One of the most effective ways to do this is by taking TCRN practice tests to evaluate your progress. Practice tests are useful because they show exactly where you need to improve. Every time you take a free TCRN exam practice test, pay special attention to these three groups of questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The questions you got wrong<\/li>\n<li>The ones you had to guess on, even if you guessed right<\/li>\n<li>The ones you found difficult or slow to work through<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This will show you exactly what your weak areas are and where you need to devote more study time. Ask yourself why each of these questions gave you trouble. Was it because you didn\u2019t understand the material? Was it because you didn\u2019t remember the vocabulary? Do you need more repetitions on this type of question to build speed and confidence? Dig into those questions and figure out how you can strengthen your weak areas as you go back to review the material.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Answer_Explanations\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Answer Explanations<\/h3>\n<p>Additionally, many TCRN practice tests have a section explaining the answer choices. It can be tempting to read the explanation and think that you now have a good understanding of the concept. However, an explanation likely only covers part of the question\u2019s broader context. Even if the explanation makes sense, go back and investigate every concept related to the question until you\u2019re positive you have a thorough understanding.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Comprehend_Each_Topic\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Comprehend Each Topic<\/h3>\n<p>As you go along, keep in mind that the TCRN practice test is just that: practice. Memorizing these questions and answers will not be very helpful on the actual test because it is unlikely to have any of the same exact questions. If you only know the right answers to the sample questions, you won\u2019t be prepared for the real thing. Study the concepts until you understand them fully, and then you\u2019ll be able to answer any question that shows up on the test.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Strategy_for_TCRN_Practice\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Strategy for TCRN Practice<\/h3>\n<p>When you\u2019re ready to start taking practice tests, follow this strategy:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Remove Limitations.<\/strong> Take the first test with no time constraints and with your notes and TCRN study guide handy. Take your time and focus on applying the strategies you\u2019ve learned.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Time Yourself.<\/strong> Take the second practice test \u201copen book\u201d as well, but set a timer and practice pacing yourself to finish in time.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Simulate Test Day.<\/strong> Take any other practice tests as if it were test day. Set a timer and put away your study materials. Sit at a table or desk in a quiet room, imagine yourself at the testing center, and answer questions as quickly and accurately as possible.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep Practicing.<\/strong> Keep taking practice tests on a regular basis until you run out of practice tests or it\u2019s time for the actual test. Your mind will be ready for the schedule and stress of test day, and you\u2019ll be able to focus on recalling the material you\u2019ve learned.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"FAQs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>FAQs<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How many questions are on the TCRN exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>There are 175 multiple-choice questions on the exam.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How long is the TCRN exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The time limit for the exam is 3 hours.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the passing score for the TCRN exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>To pass the exam, you must answer at least 96 questions correctly.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How much does the TCRN exam cost?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The exam fee is $380.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"author\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" class=\"author-bio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" class=\"author-image\" height=\"127\" width=\"127\" alt=\"Headshot of Kate Nockunas.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/tinywow_tinywow_Kate-Nockunas-Cropped-min_24640345_24640389.webp\"><div class=\"author-text\"><p class=\"author-name\">By <span itemprop=\"name\">Kate Nockunas<\/span><\/p><div class=\"author-desc\"><p>Kate has been Mometrix\u2019s Nursing and Medical Editor for over four years. She has a bachelor\u2019s degree in Communications from Vanderbilt University, a bachelor\u2019s degree in Nursing from Marymount University, and a master\u2019s degree in Education from Johns Hopkins. Kate is a critical care registered nurse who still works occasionally in the ICU and PACU.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"editor\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" class=\"author-bio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" class=\"author-image\" height=\"127\" width=\"127\" alt=\"Aaron Lanni profile pic\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image_2024-12-11_124906662.png\"><div class=\"author-text\"><p class=\"author-name\">Edited by <span itemprop=\"name\">Aaron Lanni<\/span><\/p><div class=\"author-desc\"><p>Aaron is the content manager and lead editor for Mometrix Academy. He regularly produces, updates, proofreads, and edits content to ensure it meets Mometrix\u2019s quality and accessibility standards.<\/p>\n<\/div><p class=\"alignright author-desc author-link\"><a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/editorial-guidelines\/\">Learn more about our editorial guidelines<\/a> \u2192<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/\">Mometrix Academy &#8211; Home<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">TCRN\u00ae and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse\u00ae are registered trademarks of the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (&#8220;BCEN&#8221;), who does not endorse, nor is affiliated in any way with the owner of or any content on this page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Trauma Certified Registered Nurse&reg; (TCRN&reg;) exam is administered by BCEN to assess the knowledge and skills of prospective trauma care nurses. Click \u201cStart Test\u201d above to take a free TCRN practice test, and check out our premium-quality TCRN test prep resources by clicking the links below! Exam Eligibility Although it is not necessary, BCEN &#8230; <a title=\"TCRN&reg; Practice Test\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/tcrn-test\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about TCRN&reg; Practice Test\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":204500,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-43268","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-nursing-certifications","7":"page_type-exam-overview","8":"page_domain-bcen-tcrn"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43268"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43268\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":294245,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43268\/revisions\/294245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/204500"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}