RNC-NIC - Registered Nurse Certified in Neonatal Intensive Care

Nurses who work in neonatal intensive care units should consider getting a Registered Nurse Certified in Neonatal Intensive Care (RNC-NIC) from the National Certification Corporation (NCC). This certification demonstrates a thorough understanding of the vast knowledge needed to take of this special patient population.

This certification is for licensed registered nurses with at least two years of experience working with patients in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Cost

• The exam costs $325, which includes a $275 testing and a $50 non-refundable application fee.

• The fee to change the exam date is $125. Computer exam candidates can change their scheduled date once for free.

• The re-examination fee is $325.

• Computer testing candidate withdrawal fee is $165, will receive a refund of $160.

The RNC-NIC exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored and 25 are used to collect data for questions on future exams. 

You have three hours to complete the exam.

Official exam results are mailed from the NCC within 15 days of the computer examination. You will receive official results in the mail, but you can check your account online with the NCC to get a pass/fail status after your results are in the mail.

To be eligible to take the RNC-NIC exam, you must have an active and unrestricted nursing license, two years of experience totaling at least 2,000 hours of NICU experience, and an employment history demonstrating 2,000 hours of patient care experience. Employment in this specialty must have occurred in the 24 months leading up to the exam.

You can apply for this exam online at any time, and applications can take as many as 14 days to process. If you haven’t heard anything after two weeks, you must contact the NCC.

After you receive approval, you will be put into the next available 90-day testing window. You have two options to take the exam, either using live remote proctoring or going to a PSI testing center. Your eligibility letter will give you specific details on how to schedule.

The RNC-NIC certification is good for three years. You must complete 15 CEs related directly to your specialty and upload them into your maintenance application online to maintain this certification.

Renewal Fees

• Fees are based on a quarterly system, depending on when certification was granted.

• Dates: March 15th, June 15th, September 15th or December 15th

• Maintenance fees = $100

• Discounts if using Continuing Education (CE) modules:

  • 15 hours = $80

  • 30  hours = $70

  • 45 hours = $60

• Alternate maintenance fee if continuing competency assessment is not completed = $175

NCC provides a list of acceptable organizations where applicants can obtain their CEs required for renewal.

The NCC provides the following resources:

• Registration Catalog, includes a content outline

• Testing Methods

• Candidate Guide

• Practice Test (Cost: $35)

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification is a basic requirement for neonatal nurses. Other certifications NICU nurses can obtain, include:

• Low Risk Neonatal Nursing (RNC-LRN) 

• Care of the Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonate (C-ELBW)

• Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety (ONQS)

• Certification in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT)

• Neonatal Neuro-Intensive Care (C-NNIC)

• Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM)

• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses - Critical Care Registered Nurse - Neonatal (CCRN-Neonatal)