Item Writing Resource Page

Exam creation begins and ends with the planning, development, and refinement of the individual assessment items. Using best practices, this item writing training provides the foundation for reliable, valid and fair exam items, helping to ensure the legal defensibility of the CRNA credential. The NBCRNA’s item-writing process uses subject matter experts, job analyses, and stringent practices and guidelines to develop content for item banks for NBCRNA’s credentialing programs.

The Item-Writing Course series was developed by the NBCRNA to offer a foundation for potential item writers.  All courses are online and eligible for Class A credit, up to 3.75 credits total.

Course 1: Item-Writing Theory and Practice: Foundation, is eligible for 3.00 Class A credits and is being offered for $50. The Foundation course serves as a prerequisite to Course 2: Alternative Question Formats (1.75 Class A credits). Earn up to 4.75 Class A credits for completing both courses. 

To register for the Foundation course, click the register button below and follow the bulleted instructions.

Registration Instructions

  • Click the register button and select create account.
  • Enter your information and be sure to select the Item-Writing Theory and Practice dropdown
  • After saving your account information, select Catalog from the upper-right corner of your dashboard.
  • Add the course to your cart and press the green cart button in the top right corner to checkout.
  • Once purchased, the course will show in the current courses tab of your dashboard.

Upon passing the Foundation course, you will be automatically registered for Course 2.

Interested in becoming an NBCRNA item writer?

Email learning@nbcrna.com of your interest and review the resources listed on this page. In addition, please complete Course 1: Item-Writing Theory and Practice: Foundation (3rd ed.). 

Item Writing Courses

  • Course 1: Item-Writing Theory and Practice: Foundation (4th ed.)

    3.00 Class A credits

    This course covers fundamental concepts of test development, including professional practice analysis, standard setting, and the life cycle of an item. Users learn to write multiple choice questions that minimize testing error and construct-irrelevant variance. The course serves as a prerequisite to Item-Writing Theory and Practice--Alternative Question Formats and Item-Writing Theory and Practice--Writing Clinical Scenario Item Series.

    This program has been prior approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists for 3.00 Class A CE credits; Code Number 1043982; Expiration Date 5/31/2027.

  • Course 2: Item-Writing Theory and Practice: Alternative Question Formats (4th ed.)

    1.75 Class A credit

    This course offers insight into the advantages and disadvantages of multiple choice questions. It provides examples and best practices for authoring alternative question formats such as multiple correct response, short answer, drag-and-drop, hotspots, and care scenario sets.

    This program has been prior approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology for 1.75 Class A CE credits; Code Number 1042129; Expiration Date 5/31/2025.

Resources

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