New Subspecialty Certification: Obstetrics and Neonatal Quality and Safety

NCC is pleased to announce that the new subspecialty exam demonstrating expertise in Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety (C-ONQS) successfully launched on July 1, 2020.  The exam was completed by a large number of successful candidates who have earned the C-ONQS certification.  Due to the number of candidates who tested both Phase, I and II for exam validation have been completed.  NCC will continue to honor the Second Chance Free promotion. 

REGISTRATION FOR THIS NEW EXAM OPENed UP ON JUNE 1, 2020 AND TESTING AT A COMPUTER TEST CENTER BEGan JULY 1, 2020. Scoring was originally delayed until enough candidates had completed the exam to allow for psychometric analysis of the exam results and completion of standard setting to use for pass/fail decision. This has been completed. Those who registered for the exam between June 1, 2020, through October 31 ,2020, are eligible for NCC's Second Chance Free promotion.  See the details below. 

Open registration: Registration is now available.

There will be no "second chance free" promotion after October 31, 2020 and the test and scoring delay period has ended.  

SCORING OF RESULTS
Pass/Fail Results are mailed and will also be posted to online accounts within 21 days of testing 

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PROMOTION: SECOND CHANCE FREE
NCC is providing a “Second Chance Free” opportunity for those who register for the ONQS exam during the Introductory phase or the Secondary examination phase of testing. If you registered for the ONQS exam between June 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020 and were not successful you will be provided with a second chance free. There is no cost for the second registration for those who qualify. Those who registered during these dates and who did not pass will be allowed to take the test a second time for FREE if they still meet eligibility requirements. Details can be found below.

SECOND CHANCE FREE PROMOTION DETAILS FOR THOSE WHO REGISTERED IN PHASE I or II and failed to pass the exam on their first attempt:

Phase I and II registration that provides a SECOND CHANCE Promotion ends on October 31, 2020, at 11:59 PM CST. Anyone registering for the ONQS Examination during this window must also test during their initial eligibility window to receive the second chance free. For those who registered during the Second Chance Free promotion time frame, if you are unsuccessful in achieving certification on your first examination attempt, you can apply to retake the same NCC  subspecialty certification examination (ONQS) for a second attempt at certification for free.   You have one year from the date you failed the exam to register. You will be able to reapply by logging in to your account, meeting eligibility and registering again after 90-days from the date the exam was scored.  Please note, there is a 90-day waiting period from the first examination attempt before you can register for your second attempt.

  • Offer applies to certification registrations submitted and approved between June 1-October 31, 2020 and taken during the initial eligibility window provided for testing. 
  • Applies to NCC new subspecialty certification only (C-ONQS)
  • Candidates must wait 90 days from the date they received their official exam results for all exams to register again.
  • Candidates must submit another application, and re-establish eligibility to register. To register after the 90 days, please log into your NCC account and click on the link to "register again".  You will not be asked for any payment and will receive the second chance free.  If you are asked for payment, please stop and contact NCC. 
  • Candidates who wish to claim this offer must submit their 2nd chance application within one year of the day the first exam was taken. After that time, the offer will no longer be valid. 
  • The promotion is not transferable to other certifications or to other persons.
  • The exam can only be taken twice in a calendar year.
  • If an applicant files earlier than 90-days from the failed test date, the application will be denied.
  • If you are asked for payment you should abandon the registration and contact NCC to verify eligibility.  Those eligible for the second chance free promotion should not be asked for payment. You must be logged in to the NCC website when you register.  Candidates who register again and pay a registration fee will not receive a refund. Please see the information on the amount of refund with withdrawals.

TESTING OVERVIEW 

WHEN
Once determined eligible for ONQS you will receive an eligibility notification by email and in your account with instructions on how to make your computer test center appointment.  The 90-day testing window will be in your eligibility letter.  There is a change fee and form required to change your testing dates.  

WHERE
The examinations will be delivered via computer at one of the over 250 AMP/PSI Assessment Centers located throughout the United States. Exams will be administered by appointment only Monday through Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. AMP Assessment Centers are typically located in H&R Block offices. Call PSI at1-833-256-1426 for more information. The subspecialty exam (ONQS) is 2 hours long. Please review the NCC Guide to Testing Methods.  Please note this new exam is NOT offered by Live Remote Proctoring. Also, test centers may be closed in certain areas of the county.  Please ensure your test center is open before registering for the exam. 

FEES
The examination fee is $210 which includes a nonrefundable $50 application fee submission cost. Individuals can submit a registration application on-line at any time

  • The examination fee must be paid when submitting the application.
  • There is a $30 reprocessing fee for applications submitted with missing incomplete or incorrect information. Make sure your license upload includes the expiration date.
  • After an exam is purchased, there is a 6-hour window to cancel the order.  The order can be canceled by logging into the account and clicking on "Cancel Application" found under the new certification. Only you can cancel the application and you must meet the 6-hour window. 
  • After 6 hours, an on-line Exam Withdrawal Request is required for a partial refund.
  • All applications must be submitted online at the NCC website.
  • All applications are reviewed for eligibility
  • It can take up to two weeks to determine eligibility
  • Once the application is approved, you will be emailed an eligibility letter that will indicate a  90-day eligibility window in which to schedule and take your examination. You have the first 30 days to set up a test appointment with our testing vendor and take the exam. 
  • Payment can be made by credit card or e-check.
  • Please review the examination registration catalogs. The examination registration catalog lists additional fees that may apply. 

Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety (C-ONQS)
ELIGIBILITY: Subspecialty Exam leading to C-ONQS Certification
Complete details can be found at EXAM REGISTRATION CATALOG and CANDIDATE GUIDE

  • Current/active/unencumbered licensure in the U.S. or Canada as a physician (MD or DO), registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse (NNP, CNS, or CNM), certified midwife,  physician assistant, or respiratory therapist. The license number, licensing state or province and expiration date will need to be recorded. You will need to upload verification of current licensure or a copy of the license that shows the expiration date.
  • No practice experience is required but it is recommended that you have expertise in quality improvement and safety practices with a focus in obstetric and neonatal specialties, for the best possibility of successfully completing the credentialing process.
  • See details in the registration catalog.

CREDENTIAL: All those who successfully complete the Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety certification examination will be entitled to use the credential C-ONQS.  To learn more about this exam and to register, click here.

REGISTER NOW 

ONQS Registration

*OTHER THAN THE UNIQUE CHANGES TO EXAMINATION OUTLINED ABOVE,  ALL OTHER NCC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATED TO REGISTRATION AND TESTING APPLY.