Spring 2026 Exam Information
Thinking of testing this Spring? Be sure to review the key dates:
- Spring Testing Window: March 1 – April 5, 2026
- Application Window: November 24, 2025 – February 1, 2026
Visit www.nbcsn.org to begin your application and download the Candidate Handbook.
Not ready to test yet? NBCSN has testing windows three times per year!
- Summer Testing Window: July 9 - August 16, 2026
- Registration Window: April 6 - June 9, 2026
- Fall Testing Window: October 22 - November 22, 2026
- Registration Window: August 17 - September 22, 2026
Exam applications will not be visible/available until the application window opens
Updated Exam Content Outline – Summer 2025 and Beyond
As a result of the 2023 Job Task Analysis (JTA), the NBCSN streamlined and reorganized the Exam Content Outline (ECO) beginning with the Summer 2025 exam. The exam still covers the same essential content, just better organized into four updated domains:
New Exam Content Domains & Number of Questions
| New Domain |
# of Questions |
| Health Appraisal & Nursing Practice |
52 |
| Health Promotion/Disease Prevention |
41 |
| School Health Practice Considerations |
32 |
| Professional Responsibility |
50 |
Reading Assignments – Week 3
We are digging deeper into Chapter 2 of the Review book. We introduced it last week, but with so much to absorb, we believe that focusing on this Chapter by itself this week will give you all space to review and get used to the pacing of the online study group. We will not be repeating other chapters; it only happens this week to ease you into setting your study time.
School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Cogan, 2020
- Chapter 4: Health Promotion and Nursing Management
- Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 4
NEW BOOK, COMING SUMMER 2025: School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Knox, 2025
- Chapter 5: Health Promotion/Disease Prevention/ Infectious Disease
- Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 5
School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Selekman, Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Third Edition
- Chapter 19: Students with Acute Illness and Injury
- Chapter 21: Students with Chronic Conditions
- Chapter 22: Students with Allergies
- Chapter 23: Students with Chronic Respiratory Illnesses
- Chapter 24: Students with ADHD and Specific Learning Disorders
- Chapter 25: Students with Diabetes
- Chapter 26: Students with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Chapter 27: Students Who Are Overweight
- Chapter 28: Students with Seizures and Epilepsy
- Chapter 29: Students with Other Chronic Conditions
NEW BOOK, COMING SUMMER 2025: School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Shannon & Yonkaitis), Fourth Edition
IV. Caring for Students with Episodic Conditions
16. Students With Health Common Complaints
17. Students With Acute Illness and Injury
18. Students with Skin Conditions
19. Students who are Pregnant and Parenting
V. Caring for Students with Special Healthcare Needs
20. Supporting Students With Special Healthcare Needs
21. Students With Allergies
22. Students With Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis
23. Students with Diabetes
24. Students with Select Chronic Conditions
25. Students with Medical Complexity
VI. Caring for Students With Neurologic, Behavioral, and Mental Health Conditions
26. Students With Neurodevelopmental Disorders
27. Students With Seizures and Epilepsy
28. Students With Behavioral/Mental Health Concerns and Conditions
29. Students Engaging in Risk-taking Behaviors
This Week's Assignment - Reflection Prompt
As we all know, vision and hearing screenings can take up a lot of our time! What are some tips and tricks you use to make the process go a little bit more smoothly at your site?
Even MORE Test Taking Tips:
Here are a few more multiple-choice test-taking strategies taken from 11 Test Taking Tips & Strategies For Nurses * Nurseslabs :
- Identify Similar Options
When an item contains two or more options that are similar in meaning, the successful test taker knows that all are correct, in which case it is a poor question, or that none is correct, which is more likely to be the case. The correct option usually will either include all the similar options or exclude them entirely. For example:
When teaching newly diagnosed diabetic clients about their condition, it is important for the nurse to focus on:
- Dietary modifications
- Use of sugar substitutes
- Their present understanding of diabetes
- Use of diabetic nutritional exchange lists
Options 1, 2, and 4 deal only with the diabetic diet, involving no other aspect of diabetic teaching; it is impossible to select the most correct option because each represents equally plausible, though limited, answers to the question. Option 3 is the best choice because it is most complete and allows the other three options to be excluded. As another example:
A child's intelligence is influenced by:
- A variety of factors
- Socioeconomic factors
- Heredity and environment
- Environment and experience
The most correct answer is option 1. It includes the material covered by the other options, eliminating the need for an impossible choice, since each of the other options is only partially correct.
- Identify Answer (Option) Components
When an answer contains two or more parts, you can reduce the number of potentially correct answers by identifying one part as incorrect. For example:
After a cholecystectomy the postoperative diet is usually:
- High fat, low calorie
- High fat, low protein
- Low fat, high calorie
- Low fat, high protein
You know, for instance, that the diet after cholecystectomy is usually low or moderate in fat, you can eliminate options 1 and 2 from consideration. If you know that the cholecystectomy client usually is overweight, you can eliminate option 3 from consideration. Therefore option 4 is correct.
Let's Collaborate
Have a question about the content? Post it in the discussion! Refer to questions by chapter, number, and letter (e.g., Chapter 2, Question 4, Answer C).
Please do not copy questions or answers verbatim due to copyright.
Final Thoughts – You've Got This!
As we begin this journey together, remember: you're not alone. Whether this is your first time preparing for a certification exam or a return to formal study, know that this process is a powerful step forward in your professional growth.
This isn't just about passing a test-it's about strengthening your ability to support your students, advocate for health equity, and shine in your role as a leader in school nursing.
You've already taken a big step by showing up. Stay curious, stay committed, and lean on each other throughout this journey. I'm here to support you every step of the way.
You are more than capable. Let's do this - together.
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Sarah T. Portle M.Ed., BSN RN, NCSN
Lead Nurse - Arizona State University Preparatory Academy
PhD Student - Arizona State University, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
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