Current unencumbered RN or APRN license AND minimum 1,750 hours of direct bedside care of acutely/critically ill adult patients in the previous 2 years (with 875 hours in the most recent year), OR minimum 2,000 hours in the previous 5 years, OR completed an NP/graduate nursing program focused on progressive care in the previous year. Rules change occasionally, so verify the current requirements on the official AACN exam page before you schedule.

All three versions in a single purchase: 502 practice questions for the AACN Progressive Care Certified Nursing exam as a printable, expert-prepared PDF — ideal if you learn best by annotating paper; a Desktop Test Engine for Windows that simulates the real exam with two practice modes and works offline; and an Online Test Engine for any browser on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS with test history and performance review. Use whichever version fits each moment, or all of them together. You also get a free demo, 365 days of free updates, a 50% renewal discount after the first year, and unlimited computer installations.

The PCCN exam is a AACN certification exam validating the knowledge in the AACN Progressive Care Certified Nursing syllabus shown above. It belongs to these credential paths: PCCN. Beyond theoretical knowledge, employers want demonstrated skills — and this credential provides that evidence in 2026's competitive market. PrepAwayTest helps you prepare with 502 practice questions in PDF, Desktop Test Engine, and Online Test Engine formats.

Computer-based testing at Pearson VUE testing centers Registration for the AACN Progressive Care Certified Nursing exam runs through these official channels:

Your PrepAwayTest practice questions arrive by email within 1 minute of purchase, so preparation can begin the day you book.

The AACN Progressive Care Certified Nursing exam contains 125 to be completed within 150 minutes. That leaves limited time per question, so rehearsing under the same clock with the PrepAwayTest Desktop Test Engine is time well spent.

The official AACN Progressive Care Certified Nursing outline defines 4 domains. The top three are Cardiovascular (33%), Pulmonary (21%), and Multisystem (22%). See the full list in the topics section above — PrepAwayTest's 502 practice questions span every domain.

PrepAwayTest issues a full refund if you take the AACN Progressive Care Certified Nursing exam within 60 days of purchase and do not pass. The policy does not apply if the exam is taken within 3 days of purchase, if the exam was never actually taken, or to free materials or expired orders, and the candidate name must match the payer name. To claim, submit a scan of your enrollment slip and the official Score Report PDF within 2 days of the exam — processing takes up to 7 days. Alternatively, exchange for two free exam products of equal value while keeping your original product's update service. Delivery is by email within 1 minute; contact support if nothing arrives within 2 hours.

The AACN Progressive Care Certified Nursing exam requires Approximately 68-70% (scaled score 350 out of 500) to pass, and registration costs $290 USD (AACN Member) / $365 USD (Non-Member). A retake costs the same fee again — one more reason to gauge your readiness with the PrepAwayTest practice engines before exam day.

AACN recommends the following training for the AACN Progressive Care Certified Nursing exam:

Complement the official training with the 502 practice questions from PrepAwayTest — they show you whether the knowledge holds up under exam-style questioning.