National Board of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

What National Board of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists does

Founded in 1931 and headquartered in Chicago, NBCRNA is a private, Illinois-domiciled not-for-profit corporation that operates as the sole certifying body for the more than 63,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the United States. It administers initial credentialing via the National Certification Examination (NCE) delivered through Pearson Vue testing centers on the proprietary TAO (Test Assessment Online) platform, supports student preparation via the Self-Evaluation Examination (SEE), and offers a voluntary subspecialty credential in Nonsurgical Pain Management (NSPM). The organization also runs a Reentry Program for lapsed practitioners using recognized simulation centers such as Rush University Medical Center.

In August 2024 NBCRNA replaced its legacy CPC Program with the Maintaining Anesthesia Certification (MAC) Program, built around MAC Check — a longitudinal assessment platform delivering quarterly knowledge checks via web browser and dedicated iOS/Android mobile apps with immediate feedback, rationales, and spaced repetition — along with MAC Ed (60 Class A continuing-education credits) and MAC Dev (40 Class B professional-development credits). NBCRNA maintains NCCA and ABSNC accreditations, collaborates with AANA on practice standards, COA on educational accreditation, and CAC on public-member board participation, and is governed by a Board comprising CRNAs, a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and a public member.

NBCRNA's revenue model is fee-based across the certification lifecycle: a $445 MAC Program renewal covers a four-year cycle ($111/year equivalent), CPCA assessments cost $295 with overdue penalties of $75–$125, the Modified MAC Check Program offers free exposure with a $160 enrollment fee at full enrollment, and additional revenue comes from NCE, SEE, NSPM, and Reentry Program fees. The organization operates from a single Chicago office with 11–50 employees, distributing services through the NBCRNA portal (portal.nbcrna.com), Pearson Vue testing centers, and mobile applications, while engaging its certificant base through earned media in healthcare publications, social channels, an email newsletter, and the AANA Annual Congress.

Name

National Board of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

Legal name

NATIONAL BOARD OF CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION FOR NURSE ANESTHETISTS

Website

https://nbcrna.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1931

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) is a Chicago-based, U.S. not-for-profit that exclusively certifies and recertifies the nation's 63,000+ Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) via the NCE entry exam and the longitudinal MAC Program (MAC Check, MAC Ed, MAC Dev).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Professional Certification Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Certifications (EDAAANAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Nursing & Allied Health Certification Prep (CNA, EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, Sonography, PT/OT) (EDANAIAB)

Keywords

• Professional certification services
• Nurse anesthesia credentialing
• Longitudinal assessment platform
• Healthcare board certification
• Continuing education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification and Recertification Fees: NBCRNA generates revenue through certification and recertification fees charged to CRNAs. The MAC Program renewal fee is $445 for a four-year cycle (averaging $111/year), and the CPCA assessment costs $295. Additional fees apply for late submissions.
2. CPC Assessment Fees: The Continued Professional Certification Assessment (CPCA) is a $295 fee-based examination taken at Pearson Vue testing centers. Overdue fees of $75-125 apply for late scheduling.
3. Modified MAC Check Program: The Modified MAC Check program, launched August 1, 2025, is provided free of charge to transitioning CRNAs as exposure to the MAC Check platform before full enrollment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NBCRNA provides initial, continued, and specialty certification services for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the United States. Its core offering is the NCE (National Certification Examination) for entry into the profession, the MAC (Maintaining Anesthesia Certification) Program for ongoing certification maintenance through quarterly longitudinal assessments (MAC Check), continuing education (MAC Ed), and professional development (MAC Dev), and the NSPM voluntary subspecialty certification for nonsurgical pain management. The organization serves as the sole authorized national certifying body for all 63,000+ CRNAs practicing in the U.S.

Product overview

NBCRNA offers a comprehensive credentialing portfolio for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) including initial certification (NCE), continued certification (MAC Program), and specialty certification (NSPM). The MAC Program is the primary platform comprising three integrated components: MAC Check for quarterly longitudinal knowledge assessments, MAC Ed for 60 continuing education Class A credits, and MAC Dev for 40 professional development Class B credits. The organization also provides supporting products including the Self-Evaluation Examination (SEE) for student preparation, Core Modules for knowledge domains, the Reentry Program for lapsed practitioners, and NSPM subspecialty certification for pain management. NBCRNA serves over 63,000 CRNAs nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MAC (Maintaining Anesthesia Certification Program): Certification maintenance program featuring longitudinal assessment (MAC Check), continuing education (MAC Ed), and professional development (MAC Dev) components.
• MAC Check
• MAC Ed
• MAC Dev
• NCE (National Certification Examination)
• SEE (Self-Evaluation Examination)
• CPCA (Continued Professional Certification Assessment)
• NSPM (Nonsurgical Pain Management)

Products and services

• National Certification Examination (NCE) Comprehensive entry-level certification exam testing the knowledge required to safely administer anesthesia; administered at Pearson Vue testing centers as the mandatory credential for entering the CRNA profession.
• Self-Evaluation Examination (SEE) Self-assessment practice examination that helps students evaluate readiness for the NCE across nurse anesthesia content areas.
• Maintaining Anesthesia Certification (MAC) Program The comprehensive continued certification program enabling CRNAs to stay current through quarterly longitudinal assessments (MAC Check), continuing education (MAC Ed), and professional development (MAC Dev) across a four-year cycle.
• MAC Check Self-paced, dynamic online platform using longitudinal assessment methodology that delivers quarterly knowledge checks to CRNAs with immediate feedback, rationales, spaced repetition, and personalized performance dashboards.
• Continued Professional Certification Assessment (CPCA) Performance-standard assessment covering four core knowledge domains of nurse anesthesia practice, required once every eight years during the second four-year cycle under the legacy CPC Program.
• Non-Surgical Pain Management (NSPM) Subspecialty Certification Voluntary subspecialty certification for CRNAs in nonsurgical pain management, including the NSPM-C credential with renewal required every four years.
• Reentry Program Program for CRNAs whose certification has lapsed for four or more years, requiring 100 CE credits, a reentry examination, simulation center activities, and employment verification to return to active practice.
• MAC Ed Continuing education component of the MAC Program requiring 60 Class A credits per four-year cycle through online courses, webinars, and workshops with prior approval from accredited organizations.
• MAC Dev Professional development component requiring 40 Class B credits per four-year cycle through activities such as teaching, publishing, research, morbidity and mortality conferences, and mission trips.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% of patients feel more confident in their care when their CRNA is committed to ongoing certification
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBCRNA works closely with AANA on credentialing, certification, and testing-related matters. AANA establishes practice standards for nurse anesthetists, and NBCRNA coordinates with AANA on joint projects, public communications, and professional development initiatives. NBCRNA's CEO and CCO participate in AANA Annual Congress events.
• Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOA establishes standards for nurse anesthesia educational programs. NBCRNA coordinates with COA on accreditation matters and recognizes COA-accredited fellowship programs for NSPM certification eligibility. As of January 2027, NSPM initial certification requires completion of a COA-accredited Pain Management Fellowship.
• Citizen Advocacy Center (CAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAC is a public interest advocacy organization that coordinates public participation on regulatory boards and specialty certifying bodies. CAC's public members serve on NBCRNA's Board of Directors to provide the public perspective in credentialing decisions.
• AANA FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBCRNA networks with the AANA Foundation on joint projects related to nurse anesthesia credentialing and professional development.
• National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)coreOthersNCCA provides accreditation for certifying bodies. NBCRNA maintains NCCA accreditation, which requires periodic standard setting studies for examinations every four to five years to ensure certification standards reflect current professional practice.
• Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE)minorOthersICE is a professional organization for credentialing bodies. NBCRNA participates in ICE initiatives and its public members have served on ICE's Board of Directors. NBCRNA's Becky LeBuhn received the 2020 Mary Macomber Service Award from ICE.
• Pearson VuecoreTechnology or IntegrationPearson Vue is the testing center provider for administering NBCRNA examinations including the CPCA and Reentry Exam. CRNAs schedule these assessments at Pearson Vue testing centers through the NBCRNA portal.
• Texas Christian University (TCU) - Pain Management FellowshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs of January 2027, TCU's COA-accredited post-masters Pain Management Fellowship fulfills the education requirement for initial NSPM subspecialty certification. NBCRNA recognizes TCU's fellowship as meeting certification eligibility standards.
• University of South Florida (USF) - Pain Management FellowshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs of January 2027, USF's COA-accredited post-masters Pain Management Fellowship fulfills the education requirement for initial NSPM subspecialty certification. NBCRNA recognizes USF's fellowship as meeting certification eligibility standards.
• Rush University Medical CenterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRush University Medical Center is an NBCRNA-recognized simulation center that delivers Step Three requirements of the NBCRNA Reentry Program, providing simulation-based competency assessment for CRNAs returning to practice.
• American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS)minorOthersABNS is a professional certification organization for nursing specialties. NBCRNA networks with ABNS for information-sharing and visibility of the nurse anesthesia credential.
• Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC)minorOthersABSNC provides accreditation for specialty nursing certification programs. NBCRNA maintains ABSNC accreditation as part of its credentialing integrity framework.
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)minorOthersNCSBN supports state boards of nursing in protecting public health. NBCRNA interacts with NCSBN on credentialing and certification-related regulatory matters.
• Association of Test Publishers (ATP)minorOthersATP is an industry association for test publishers. NBCRNA staff participate in ATP meetings and conferences, sharing expertise in testing and assessment methodologies.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE): ICE is the professional association for credentialing bodies, providing NCCA accreditation that NBCRNA maintains. It serves as an ecosystem enabler and industry convener rather than a competitor, comparable to NBCRNA as a peer in the credentialing ecosystem.
• American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA): AANA is the primary professional association for CRNAs, not a certification body. It is NBCRNA's closest strategic partner (setting practice standards, hosting NBCRNA at Annual Congress) but operates in an enabling/ecosystem role rather than as a competitor.

Direct peers

• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB): PNCB provides certification for pediatric nurses and advanced practice nurses, sharing the nursing certification governance model with NBCRNA. Both are accredited by ABSNC and use computer-based testing, serving comparable certificant demographics in advanced practice nursing.
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA): NCCPA is the sole certifying body for physician assistants in the US, holding an analogous exclusive regulatory mandate. Its PANRE-LA longitudinal assessment program mirrors NBCRNA's MAC Check approach, making it a direct comparable in business model, assessment technology, and certificant engagement.
• Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS): BPS certifies pharmacist specialists across multiple specialties. NBCRNA's Chief Assessment Officer Tim Muckle previously led BPS psychometrics, indicating direct methodology and governance overlap. Both are specialty certification boards using computer-based assessment and longitudinal recertification.
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC): NBRC certifies respiratory therapists with mandatory credentialing for practice, similar to NBCRNA's CRNA mandate. Both operate as non-profit credentialing bodies with proprietary assessment platforms and multi-year recertification cycles in allied health professions.
• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT): ARRT certifies radiologic technologists with mandatory state-linked credentialing. It operates a similar model of initial certification, continuing education requirements, and biennial recertification as NBCRNA, and serves a comparable healthcare workforce demographic.
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): ANCC is the largest nursing credentialing organization in the US, certifying RNs and advanced practice nurses across multiple specialties. It is the most direct peer to NBCRNA in nursing certification structure, governance model, and revenue mechanics, though it covers broader nursing rather than specializing in nurse anesthesia.

Broad incumbents

• American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS): ABMS is the umbrella organization for 24 physician specialty boards (e.g., American Board of Anesthesiology), serving as the dominant healthcare certification entity. It is a broader incumbent offering similar certification and longitudinal assessment (MOC) at much larger scale, with overlapping subject matter in anesthesiology.

Regional players

• National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN): NCSBN administers the NCLEX (entry-level nursing licensure exam) and coordinates state board regulatory frameworks that underpin NBCRNA's certification mandate. It operates in an adjacent regulatory capacity and influences certification requirements for CRNAs at the state level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nbcrnatweets
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/thenbcrna?feature=results_main
• Facebookfacebook.com/nbcrna-279130589125
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nbcrna
• Instagraminstagram.com/nb.crna

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Board of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists