NE-BC - Nurse Executive Certification

  • Cost $295-$395
  • Renews every 5 years

COURSE FORMAT

In Person

About

Nurse Executive Board Certification (NE-BC) validates the knowledge and skills of the registered nurse with experience in leadership, management or administration at the unit level or higher. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers the NE-BC exam, accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certifications (ABSNC).

Eligibility Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing

  • Current RN license

  • Two years or equivalent of full time practice as a registered nurse

  • 2,000 hours of experience in a leadership, management or administrative roles with primary responsibility for the daily operations and outcomes within the last 3 years

  • 30 continuing education hours in leadership, management or administration within the last three years

Completion Time: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the NE-BC exam

Cost:

  • American Nursing Association Members: $295

  • Non-members: $395

Course Format

Exam Format

The NE-BC certification exam consists of 150 questions, including 125 scored and 25 pretest questions. Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam and receive their results immediately after completion. NE-BC exam topics include: 

  • Health Care Delivery (33%)

  • Human Resource Management (31%)

  • Quality and Safety (21%)

  • Business Management (14%)

Candidates may take the NE-BC exam in person at Prometric testing centers or at home through remote proctoring.

In Person

Applicants register for the exam after receiving an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice from ANCC. They may register online or by calling Prometric at (800) 998-1942.

  • Go to Prometric’s website

  • Click “Schedule” on the left column under “Test Center Certification Exam”

  • Read terms and conditions

  • Confirm over 18 and select “I consent”

  • Insert ANCC ID Number and first four characters of last name

  • Click on the arrow after the eligibility window appears

  • Search for a testing center

  • Select a test date

Exam Day Instructions

  • Arrive at the testing center 30 minutes before exam time

  • Bring a government-issued ID and test confirmation number from Prometric

  • Store personal items in provided lockers

Certification

NE-BC credentials are valid for 5 years. To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:

  • Go to the ANCC’s NE-BC  page

  • Click on Apply Online

  • Sign in or create a new account

  • Complete the application

  • List RN licenses held in all states

  • Upload unofficial transcripts if applicable

  • Input credit card information

Documents not available during the application process may be submitted later by:

  • Email: [email protected]

  • Mail: ANCC Certification
    8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400
    Silver Spring, MD  20910

Renewal

NE-BC credentials are valid for 5 years. Board-certified NEs can submit an online renewal application up to one year before expiration of their current certification. To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:

  • Hold a current, active RN license in a U.S. state or territory or the legally recognized professional equivalent in another country

  • Have current NE-BC board certification

  • Complete 75 contact hours of continuing education

  • Complete one professional development component

The professional development component includes completion of at least one of the following 8 categories:

  1. 75 contact hours of CE in addition to the mandatory 75 CE hours

  2. 5 semester credits or 6 quarter credits in leadership, management or administration

  3. One or more presentations totaling 5 clock hours in leadership, management or administration

  4. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Quality Improvement Project (QI), Publication or Research 

  5. At least 120 hours as a preceptor for students in an academic program related to leadership, management or administration

  6. Two or more consecutive years of volunteer service with international, national, state or local healthcare-related organizations

  7. At least 1,000 practice hours in leadership, management or administration

  8. Pass the current NE-BC test

Cost

  • American Nursing Association Members: $250

  • Non-members: $350

Continuing Education

Part of the renewal process requires 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). All CEUs must be directly related to the NE-BC’s certification role and specialty. At least 60 CEUs must be formally approved CE hours, meaning they must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Continuing nursing education (CNE) approved for nursing contact hours by an accredited provider or approver of CNE

  • Continuing medical education (CME) approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits

  • Continuing education hours approved through the Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education

  • Sponsored by organizations, agencies or educational institutions accredited or approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or Commission on Dietetic Registration

  • Provided by one of these accepted agencies:

    • American Nurses Association

    • American Academy of Family Physicians

    • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

    • American Academy of Physician Assistants

    • American College of Nurse Midwives

    • American Psychiatric Association

    • American Psychological Association

    • American Psychiatric Nurses Association

    • Emergency Nurses Association

    • National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health

    • National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners

For a full list of ANCC accredited organizations go to the Accredited Organizations page.

NE-BC holders should Track Professional Development on the ANCC website as they complete each activity. Renewal applicants must use their account and complete the CE section of the Professional Development Record to document their CEUs. ANCC doesn’t accept certificates of completion in place of completing Professional Development entries.

Other Resources

The ANA has several resources available to help candidates prepare for the NE-BC exam, including: 

Related Certifications

Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (NEA-BC) is ideal for nurse executives with 2,000 hours of experience in organization-wide or system-wide operations and outcome within the last 3 years.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the ANCC Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) certification exam hard?

The ANCC Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) certification exam consists of 150 questions. Of the 1,149 candidates who took the NE-BC exam in 2023, 759 passed or about 66% during their first attempt.

How can I track the processing of my NE-BC application?

The progress of your NE-BC application should be visible in your online account.

If I change my name after applying to take the NE-BC exam do I have to reapply?

No, you don’t have to reapply if you change your name after applying for the NE-BC exam, but you should contact the ANCC at [email protected]  as soon as possible to correct any incorrect or outdated information listed in your account before taking the NE-BC exam.

Where can I mail my application to take the NE-BC exam?

You must submit your NE-BC exam application online. However, you may mail supporting documents to ANCC Certification, 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400, Silver Spring, MD 20910. You can also upload supporting documentation at the time of your application or upload it later on the ANCC site.

Can I count classes I’ve taken towards earning my master’s or doctoral degree as continuing education for NE-BC recertification?

Yes, you can count classes you’ve taken towards your master’s or doctoral degree as continuing education for NE-BC recertification. Each semester hour counts as 15 contact hours and each quarter credit counts as 12.5 contact hours.

Can I earn a Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) online?

No you can't earn a Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) online.