What’s the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE®) Certification Exam Like?

With excerpts from IAFN Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Certification, Jacqueline Callari Robinson, BSN, RN, SANE-A/P, Editor

Two sexual assault nurse examiner certifications are available from the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification, the credentialing arm of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). They are Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A®) and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Pediatric (SANE-P®). When you pass one of these exams, you’ll be joining an highly specialized group of roughly 1,700 nurses who have earned the SANE credential. Read on to learn important information about these tests.

The Format

The SANE-A and SANE-P exams are computer-based and administered at a testing center. They’re offered twice a year, in April and September, so you’ll want to plan your study schedule based on these two testing times. The application process opens in February for the April exam and July for the September exam.

To be eligible to apply for either SANE exam, you’ll have to meet a number of criteria. These include holding an active RN license; having practiced nursing for at least two years as an RN; completion of a minimum 40-hour SANE didactic course by an accredited provider; completion of a SANE clinical preceptorship; and accrual of 300 hours of SANE-related practice within the past 3 years.

The Questions and Time

The exams have up to 200 questions, 50 of which are unscored or pretest items – but be sure to answer all questions. You have up to four hours to complete the exam. The questions are multiple choice. Questions are on the cognitive levels of recall, application, and/or analysis.

The Exam

If you’re unfamiliar with computer-based testing, you can review an online tutorial on the testing company’s website. One test-taking tip is to answer the question in your mind before reviewing the answer options. Another is to pay special attention to answer choices that concern the patient’s overall safety, as safety is always a top priority.

Test Content Outline

Both SANE exams cover five domains, as outlined here:

The Results

If you take the exam in April, you’ll receive your results in late June, about six to eight weeks after the testing window closes. If you take it in September, you’ll get your results in late November. Candidates do not receive the same test, and one test may be slightly easier than the next. Results are scored on a scaled basis, which means some questions are worth more than others based on their level of difficulty. Scores range from 200 to 800, but you need at least a 500 to pass no matter which test you receive.

Preparing for the Exam

We recommend you start studying at least 2-3 months in advance. For more study options, check out IAFN Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Certification, featuring abundant practice questions to help you prepare
for test day.

Highest Standards

The SANE-A and SANE-P certifications create tangible recognition of a SANE’s professional achievements by clearly defining a high level of professional knowledge in a specialty clinical area of forensic nursing. Attaining this certification demonstrates that you have met the highest standards of forensic nursing.

Resources

International Association of Forensic Nurses. (2020). Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE-A and SANE-P) 2020 Certification Examination Handbook. Elkridge, MD.

SANE Certification Central. Retrieved May 31, 2020, from https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/Certification

SANE Certification Exam Details. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/ExamDetails#anchor_1477508801621