COHN: Certified Occupational Health Nurse Exam Practice Test

To be eligible for the COHN exam, you must hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the United States or its territories. Additionally, you must have a minimum of 3,000 hours of work experience in occupational health nursing within the last five years. This experience must be verified by a supervisor or professional colleague. Specific degree requirements (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Nursing) are not mandated by ABOHN for the COHN, but individual employers or state boards may have their own requirements.

The COHN exam is a computer-based test consisting of 120 multiple-choice questions. You will have 2.5 hours to complete the exam. The questions are based on the official exam blueprint and are designed to assess application and analysis, not just recall. The test covers four major domains: Clinical Practice (40%), Case Management (25%), Health & Safety (20%), and Regulatory/Legal/Ethical (15%). A passing score is determined through a criterion-referenced standard-setting process.

The COHN certification is focused on the generalist occupational health nurse role, emphasizing direct care, case management, and program coordination. The COHN-S (Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist) credential is designed for nurses functioning in more advanced, specialist, or managerial roles, with a greater emphasis on administration, management, and advanced program development. The eligibility requirements and exam content for the COHN-S reflect this higher level of practice, often requiring a BSN or higher degree and experience in a broader scope of responsibilities.

The COHN certification is valid for five years. To maintain the credential, you must recertify by either retaking the examination or by submitting a portfolio demonstrating continued professional development and practice. The portfolio option requires earning a minimum of 75 contact hours of continuing education relevant to occupational health nursing and documenting a specified number of practice hours within the five-year cycle. Detailed recertification guidelines are provided by ABOHN.

The most critical resource is the official ABOHN Candidate Handbook and Exam Blueprint, which details the exact content domains and their weightings. Primary study materials include core textbooks such as 'Occupational Health Nursing' by Rogers and 'Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health' by Friend & Kohn. Review courses offered by professional organizations like the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) are highly recommended. Additionally, utilizing practice question banks and forming study groups with other candidates can be extremely beneficial for applying knowledge and identifying areas for further review.