Core certification maintenance
There are two (2) options for maintaining your NCC core certification , earning continuing education and re-examination.
Option #A Continuing Education
Earn a total of 45 hours of continuing education in your specialty area.
New Rule in 2010
In 2010, a new continung competency initiative (Stage 1) will begin. This will affect all those who hold a RNC or NP credential from NCC from exams currently offered. This process includes that individuals must take a specialty assessment evaluation on the NCC website sometime between June 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010. This assessment will provide feedback on your core certification specialty knowledge strengths and gaps and will be the basis for you to develop your learning plan for maintaining your certitfication. Stage 1 is not binding in terms of what CE you need to take and there is no pass/fail for the assessment. It is strictly designed to give you feedback on your core certification specialty knowledge competencies and to familiarize you with this new feature of maintenance.
45 CE hours remains the maintenance requirement until 2014 when Stage 2 is implemented. At that time, your CE will be tied to the feedback identified in the specialty assessment evaluation. You will earn 5 CE hours toward your maintenance for your participation and there is no cost involved in taking the specialty assessment evaluation. For full details, see continuing competency initiative brochure. This brochure detailing the program has been sent to all those affected by the new initiative.
New Rule in announced in 2009
ALL CE MUST be in the specialty in order to be used for maintenance. - see specialty hour determination (left hand column) for specified topics for each certificaiton area.
ID cards are no longer issued but official documentation of certification is available 24/7 free of charge in your account. Sign in with your password, go to your account and then your certifications to download the official documentation
Option #B Re-examination
Apply for, take and pass the examination prior to your certification expiration date. This must be the same examination you took to obtain your original certification. This option is not available to those holding certification in Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility, Ambulatory Women's Health Care, High Risk Obstetric Nursing or Telephone Nursing Practice as these examinations have been discontinued. The cost is the same as those taking the exam for the first time.
Cost
$100.00 fee per certification with the following discounts earned when using the NCC self assessment modules or the NCC pretest program.
- Earn 15 contact hours with NCC self assessment or NCC Pretest, cost = $70
- Earn 30 contact hours with NCC self assessment, cost = $60
- Earn 45 contact hours with NCC self assessment, cost = $50
- All CE must be in your specialty.
- Any self assessment module meets the specialty hour maintenance requirements regardless certification specialty area. Therefore, you use any NCC self assessment module to maintain your RNC or certified NP (WHNP-BC or NNP-BC) credential. This does NOT apply to certificates of added qualification.
There are no refunds for any maintenance, reinstatement or extension fees.
Time Frames For Maintenance
2010
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Due March 31, 2010 - from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2010
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Due June 30, 2010 - from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010
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Due September 30, 2010 - from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2010
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Due December 31, 2010 - from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010
2011
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Due March 31, 2011 - from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2011
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Due June 30, 2011 - from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011
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Due September 30, 2011 - from October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2011
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Due December 31, 2011 - from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011
Recognized Accrediting Agencies
- NCC through the NCC Self Assessment Program or Pretest Program
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State boards of nursing, departments of health or nursing associations
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Hospitals
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Any Nursing, Medical, Health Care or Other For Profit or Not for Profit Education Provider (These organizations could include for example - AWHONN, NANN, NPHW, ACOG, AMA, ANCC, NONPF, AANP, Contemporary Forums, Western schools, Professional Education Consultants, etc.)
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Academic Credit 1 semester hour = 15 contact hours; 1 quarter hour = 10 contact hours
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All other credits are a 1:1 ratio to contact hours, e.g. 1 CME - 1 contact hour.
All continuing education programs must be accredited and provide evidence of such in the form of a certificate of completion issued to participants.
Universal hours
The following topics are considered universal and may be used as certification specialty hours for any core certification i.e. that lead to the NCC RNC or NP credential.
• Legal or ethical issue relative to professional nursing practice • Nursing research • HIV/AIDS • Resuscitation and stabilization (maternal or neonatal) • Pharmacology
Maintaining On-Line
You can now maintain your Certification on-line. Click here for further information.
Extensions
If you cannot earn enough continuing education credit or retake the examination prior to your expiration date, you can request a one time only 3 month extension. This request must be received in writing postmarked no later than your expiration date and include the $30 service fee. Extension requests along with a $30 check made payable to NCC should be mailed to NCC, Attn: Extensions, PO Box 11082, Chicago, IL 60611. You can also use the on-line extension form by clicking here.