Objective To develop the critical care competency rating scale for clinical nurses. Methods Literature review, interviews and Delphi consultation were performed to identify items of the scale. A total of 452 clinical nurses were enrolled to test the reliability and validity of scale. Results Items scores were related to total score and Pearson correlation coefficient were 0. 524-0. 861;6 factors were extracted by exploratory analysis with cumulative contribution rate of 72. 698%;the Cronbach′s alpha coefficient was 0. 951 and split-half was 0. 835;CVI was 0. 964. Conclusions Reliability and validity of the critical care competency rating scale for clinical nurses were acceptable, and can be used to assess clinical nurses′critical care competency.