CSC (Adult)

Maintaining CSC® subspecialty certification reflects your dedication to excellence as you provide direct care to acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients and their families.

Renewal Eligibility Requirements & Fees

CSC (Adult)

Renewal Eligibility Requirements & Fees

  • Renewal by CERPs

  • Renewal by Exam

The Renewal by CERPs (Continuing Education Recognition Points) program requires continuing education on topics listed on the CSC Test Plan, found in the CSC Renewal Handbook.
Eligibility Requirements
  • An unencumbered license has not been subjected to formal discipline by the board of nursing in the state(s) in which the nurse practiced during the most recent renewal period and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse's practice. Provisions or conditions may include, but are not limited to, direct supervision of practice, drug administration limitations and/or practice area exclusions.
  • Hold a current nationally-accredited (NCCA or ABNS) clinical nursing specialty certification.
  • Completion of 25 Category A Clinical Judgment CERPs, covering topics on the CSC Test Plan, is required.
  • Clinical practice hours are required. Practice as an RN or APRN for 432 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients in the first 48 hours postoperatively during the three-year certification renewal period, with 144 of those hours accrued in the 12-month period prior to the scheduled renewal date is required.
    • Eligible hours are those spent actively providing direct care to acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients – or supervising nurses or nursing students at the bedside of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients, if working as a manager, educator, preceptor or APRN
    • All hours must be completed in a U.S.- based or Canada-based facility, or in a facility determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of acute/critical care nursing practice.
  • For complete eligibility requirements, refer to the CSC Renewal Handbook

AACN Members

$75

Nonmembers

$130

Renew

For renewal by exam, you must meet the eligibility requirements, apply at least 30 days prior to your scheduled renewal date, and pass the exam before your expiration date. Refer to the CSC Exam Handbook for the current test plan and to the Certification Exam Policy Handbook for exam scheduling and testing information.

Eligibility Requirements
  • An unencumbered license has not been subjected to formal discipline by the board of nursing in the state(s) in which the nurse practiced during the most recent renewal period and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse's practice. Provisions or conditions may include, but are not limited to, direct supervision of practice, drug administration limitations and/or practice area exclusions.
  • Hold a current nationally-accredited (NCCA or ABNS) clinical nursing specialty certification.
  • Take and pass the CSC Adult exam before your scheduled renewal date.
  • Clinical practice hours are required. Practice as an RN or APRN for 432 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients in the first 48 hours postoperatively during the three-year certification renewal period, with 144 of those hours accrued in the 12-month period prior to the scheduled renewal date is required.
    • Eligible hours are those spent actively providing direct care to acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients – or supervising nurses or nursing students at the bedside of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients, if working as a manager, educator, preceptor or APRN
    • All hours must be completed in a U.S.- based or Canada-based facility, or in a facility determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of acute/critical care nursing practice.
  • For complete eligibility requirements, refer to the CSC Renewal Handbook.

AACN Members

$120

Nonmembers

$165

Renew

Handbooks

CSC Renewal Handbook

  • • Detailed Renewal Eligibility
  • • Application Instructions
  • • CERP Category Descriptions/CERP Log
  • • Renewal Audit Information

Certification Exam Policy Handbook

  • • Exam Rescheduling and Cancellation
  • • What to Expect on the Day of Your Exam
  • • Name and Address Changes
  • • Code of Ethics/Upholding the Value of Certification

CERPs Program Overview

A total of 25 Category A CERPs, focused on topics listed on the CSC Test Plan, is required. Click on the link below to access available continuing education activities.

Category A

Clinical Judgment

25 CERPs minimum

Active Renewal Options

At renewal time, eligible CSC certificants may seek active certification renewal or choose Inactive status. 

CSC (Adult)

Cardiac Surgery Nursing
Subspecialty Certification

  • • Eligibility based on current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license, current clinical nursing specialty certification, verifiable clinical practice hours, and 25 Category A CERPs or exam
  • • Managers, educators, preceptors and APRNs who supervise nurses at the bedside of acutely/critically ill cardiac surgery patients in the first 48 hours postoperatively may also be eligible

Alternate Option

Status change option for certificants who no longer meet renewal eligibility requirements for active certification.

Inactive Status


  • • For nurses who don’t meet eligibility for active renewal but believe they may do so in the near future
  • • Available for up to three years from most recent certification date, during which time eligibility requirements (CERPs and/or clinical practice hours) may be completed to allow reactivation
  • • If unable to renew active certification by the end of your Inactive Status period, certification will expire

Renew

A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license, current clinical nursing specialty certification, a minimum number of clinical practice hours caring for acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients in the first 48 hours postoperatively and CERPs or exam are required.

Renew

Renewal Information

CSC Renewal Handbook
CSC Renewal Policy
Audits