Updated July 2026 · 10 min read

CRNA Anesthesia Case Requirements 2026

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NBCRNA Minimum Case Requirements

Note: Requirements updated periodically by NBCRNA. Verify current requirements at nbcrna.com.

High-Priority Cases for NCE Preparation

The NCE (National Certification Examination) tests heavily on: obstetric anesthesia (highest-yield — anesthetic complications in pregnancy), pediatric anesthesia (physiologic differences + drug dosing), cardiac surgery (CPB, TEE, vasoactive management), one-lung ventilation, and difficult airway management.

Program directors and NCE review course instructors consistently report that SRNAs who did significant OB and peds cases during clinical year perform better on NCE pharmacology and physiology questions — because these specialties require precise drug dosing and deep understanding of physiologic differences.

How to Get Difficult-to-Access Cases

Pediatric cases: Many programs rotate students through a dedicated pediatric hospital for 4–8 weeks. If your program doesn't have a peds hospital affiliation, ask your program director — some allow elective rotations at affiliated sites for case diversity.

OB cases: L&D epidural rotations are typically scheduled. To get more OB exposure, volunteer for overnight L&D call if your program allows. C-section anesthesia experience specifically is important for NCE.

Case Documentation Requirements

SRNA case logs are typically documented in program-specific software (Typhon is common). Accuracy matters — falsifying case logs is a termination-level academic integrity violation. Document cases the day they occur while details are fresh. Programs are audited by COA accreditation reviewers.