Low Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
RNC Certification in Low Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-LRN(R))
This certification is offered with Computer Testing at a Computer Test Center and through Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). LRP is a secure and non-invasive platform that uses professional proctors and technology to monitor examinees' live while they complete their certification exam. This method of test delivery allows the examinee to take the certification exam from their home, office, or a remote site, using their own computer. If you choose this method of testing, you must test your computer before you schedule and schedule it early. Read the details of LRP prior to scheduling your exam. More information can be found at "Testing with LRP".
The purpose of the Low-Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Core Certification is to provide a competency-based examination that tests specialty knowledge and the application of that knowledge for licensed registered nurses in the US and Canada with a minimum of two years of specialty experience in providing care to acutely and chronically ill neonatal patients and their families within level II, chronic care, special care or step-down units.
Only online registrations on this website are accepted. Applications submitted by mail, fax or email will not be accepted and will be returned to the individual.
This registration portal is only for those taking the test via computer. If you are taking the test as part of a review course or with a bulk voucher code, select Special Testing Opportunities from the menu on the right. If you don't know your voucher code you will need to contact the review course or bulk purchase provider. Contact NCC at contact us for further instructions.
- Registration Catalog - Eligibility, Overview, Fees and Policies
- Guide to Testing Methods - Rules, Procedures and What to Expect
Candidate Guides - Exam Content, Competency Statements, Study Resources and Scoring
Overview
Eligibility Requirements
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Current/active/unencumbered licensure as an RN in the U.S. or Canada.
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24 months of specialty experience as a U.S. or Canadian RN comprised of a minimum of 2000 hours (this must have occurred sometime in your career). Specialty experience can be comprised of direct patient care, education, administration or research.
- Employment in the specialty sometime in the last 24 months.
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Both practice time and hours must be met. This is not an either/or criterion.
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Complete details are in the CORE RNC Examination Registration Catalog.
Cost for Computer testing
- $325 which is composed of a $50 non-refundable application submission cost and a $275 testing fee.
- Incomplete applications are subject to a $30 reprocessing fee.
- After the exam is purchased, there is a 6-hour window to cancel the order. The order can be canceled by going into your account and clicking on the "Cancel Application" under the new certification.
- After 6 hours, an Exam withdrawal Request, for a partial refund, is required.
Details for Computer Testing
- There are no application deadlines and a candidate may submit an application at any time.
- It can take 1 to 14 days to process, review and approve an application.
- Please be sure you are prepared to take the exam within 90 days of the application before you submit
- Eligibility letters are emailed and can also be found in your account.
- If you do not receive your eligibility letter or have an eligibility letter in your account within 2 weeks of your exam application submission confirmation, please "CONTACT US" and choose "My application that I already submitted".
- If determined eligible, you will be placed in the next available 90-day window to schedule and take your exam.
- You can schedule your exam for live remote proctoring or at a test center directly from your account by clicking on the "Schedule or Launch the exam" link. You can also schedule your own exam appointment with AMP/PSI either by phone or via the internet. See your eligibility letter for contact information.
- Online proctored exams are delivered by appointment 24 hours a day.
- Test Center Exams will be delivered by appointment only Monday through Saturday (occasionally Sundays) at 9:00 am and 1:30 pm, via computer at over 100 AMP Assessment Centers geographically located throughout the United States. Sites are subject to change. Call the PSI scheduling line at 1-833-256-1426 for more information.
- Candidates are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. However, there is a requirement that a minimum of 4 business days occurs between the time of scheduling and the test date.
- Exams must be scheduled within the first 30-days of the eligibility window. It is recommended that you schedule your testing appointment as soon as possible, as testing sites cannot be guaranteed if you wait. If you wait beyond the 30-day requirement all testing appointments may be taken. If this occurs you may have to travel to another site or pay $125.00 to change your eligibility window.
- Prior to attempting the examination, you will be given the opportunity to practice taking a test on your computer.
- A candidate who fails to report for an examination will not receive a refund but may change their mode of testing. Learn more about eligibility and fees to change your testing date, method of testing or exam category.
- It is recommended that you read the Registration Catalog, Candidate Guide, NCC Guide to Testing Methods and website materials for the exam you are taking so you can become familiar with all NCC policies and procedures. You will be subject to them so it is to your advantage to understand the certification process and rules.
How will the results be disseminated?
Testing
- This exam is a 3-hour test consisting of 175 multiple-choice items. Of the 175 items, 150 are scored and 25 are used to gather statistical data on item performance for future exams.