National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists (NCE)

The National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists (NCE) is the U.S. certification exam administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). It is intended for graduates of accredited nurse anesthesia educational programs seeking initial certification as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA); it is not an entrance exam for admission to a nurse anesthesia program. Certification requirements and state authorization to practice are separate matters, so candidates should confirm the current rules with the NBCRNA and their state board.

The NCE assesses knowledge and clinical judgment used in nurse anesthesia practice. Review areas include applied anatomy and physiology, anesthetic pharmacology, preanesthetic evaluation and patient optimization, airway assessment and management, equipment, and anesthesia care for different procedures and patient populations. The exam is computer-based and uses an adaptive format, so the number and sequence of questions may vary. For the 2027–2028 cycle, use the current NBCRNA candidate handbook and content outline as the authority for exam structure and requirements.