BMTCN - Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse

Bone marrow transplant (BMT) nurses are oncology nurses that provide specialized care to clients receiving bone marrow transplants due to conditions such as leukemia, anemia, or Hodgkin’s lymphoma. An extensive knowledge base regarding disease processes and strong organizational skills are required of oncology nurses, along with a focus on compassionate, client-centered care.

The Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN) is a certification issued by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) for registered nurses with experience caring for clients in oncology units with bone and marrow transplantation procedures. In addition, nurses working in education, research, or administration with adult or pediatric clients who are seeking to distinguish their expertise may seek the BMTCN.

Cost

The cost of initial certification is $300 if you are a member of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) or the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) and $420 if you are not a member of either professional organization.

Double Take option: additional $100, must be paid when registering for initial exam. Allows a candidate to retest once if they don't pass, without paying the full test fee again.

The certification exam is a three-hour, 165 multiple-choice item exam based on the BMTCN Test Content Outline. This content outline is focused on six areas of nursing practice based on a 2020 review of the key knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a BMT nurse.

To be eligible for the BMTCN certification exam, you must have:

• A current, active unencumbered RN license in the United States, or U.S. territory at the time of application.

• A minimum of two years of RN experience within the four years before application. 

• A minimum of 2000 hours of BMT nursing practice within the four years before application.

• A minimum of ten contact hours of nursing continuing education (CE) in BMT or an academic course in BMT nursing within three years before applying to test.

The nursing practice may be direct or indirect client care.

To apply for initial certification, you would gather the required eligibility documents including nursing license, CE documentation, and fees, and register on the ONCC website.

Renewing this certification requires the following criteria:

• A current BMTCN certification.

• A current, active, unencumbered RN license in the US, its territories, or Canada.

• A minimum of one year RN experience with three years of application.

• A minimum of 1000 hours of BMT nursing experience within the thirty months before application.

The certification is valid for four years, and there are three options to renew this certification.

Option One: Uses an Individual Learning Needs Assessment (ILNA) and ongoing professional development activities measured by points. Based on the scoring of the ILNA, you will complete a certain number of points to renew your certification. It is recommended to take the ILNA as soon as possible in the first year of certification so you know how many points you need to complete for your next renewal.

Option Two: Requires validation of the required practice hours and successful completion of the certification exam.

Option Three: Requires the successful completion of the certification exam and the ILNA

The renewal fees vary depending on application deadlines and professional organization membership.

For certified nurses that do not complete the application by the deadlines, you can follow the guidelines for Reinstatement through the ONCC.

Renewal Fees

Option 1: Practice hours + Professional Development (Points)

• Applying before September 15, 2023 - $240 for ONS/APHON members and $360 for non-members

• Applying by October 15, 2023 (Final Deadline) - $340 for ONS/APHON members and $460 for non-members

Option 2: Practice hours + Successful Testing

• Apply by September 15, 2023 - $300 for ONS/APHON members and $420 for non-members

Option 3: Points + Successful Testing

• Applying before September 15, 2023 - $400 for ONS/APHON members and $520 for non-members

• Applying by October 15, 2023 (Final Deadline) - $500 for ONS/APHON members and $620 for non-members

The ONCC offers resources for exam candidates, including:

• Test References

• Content Outline

• Certificate Manual

• Study Tips

• Sample Test Questions

• Practice Test (50 questions is free, 100 questions $75)

The nurse seeking additional verification of skills in the oncology specialty may also review the following certifications offered by the ONCC:

• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN): requires nursing practice working with the adult oncology population.

• Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON): requires nursing experience in pediatric oncology care.