HN-BC® - Holistic Nurse-Board Certified (certified by AHNCC)
- Application fee $50-$100
- Exam fee $350-$395
- Renews every 5 years
COURSE FORMAT
About
The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) offers the Holistic Nurse - Board Certified (HN-BC) exam and contracts the Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET) to handle applications and administration. The Accreditation Board for Speciality Nursing Certification (ABSNC) accredits the HN-BC certification.
Holistic nursing is a nursing practice that cares for the whole person, including their physical, psychological, social environment, cultural, and religious needs. The HN-BC demonstrates a commitment to this type of care.
Holistic nursing can be applied to any patient population and any specialty. Any nurse who is interested in holistic care can take this exam, and the certification demonstrates a commitment to caring for their patients' overall health and well-being.
The HN-BC exam is a multiple-choice test with 170 questions. It covers a variety of content areas, including holistic philosophy and ethics, the holistic caring process, holistic communication, healing environments, and cultural care.
The application fee is $100, and the exam costs $395. Members of the Faith-Based Community Nurses Association (FBCN), American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA), or Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA) pay discounted rates of $75 for the application fee and $375 for exam fees, respectively. The AHNCC also works with some school programs and offers discounted rates of $50 for application fees and $350 for exam fees.
Re-examination fee is $225, reduced rate is valid for 12 months after the initial exam date.
Certification
To qualify for the HN-BC exam, you must meet the following criteria:
Be a graduate of an accredited nursing program
Hold an unrestricted and active RN license
Have 2000 hours of a year of full-time holistic nursing practice within the past 5 years
Complete 48 CNE hours that must be in holistic nursing practice, theory, research, or related subjects in the past 2 years
You must apply for the exam online, including uploading all of the required documentation. It takes about four to six weeks for application processing. Once you are approved, you will receive an email with information about registering for the exam.
Once you receive your eligibility email, you have 14 business days to pay for test registration. After processing your payment, C-NET will send an examination permit via email. This permit allows you to schedule with the testing site, PSI. This testing permit is good for 90 days.
You will receive your exam results as soon as you complete the test. If you do not pass, you will get a breakdown of scores in all of the major areas of the exam, so you know what to study if you wish to retake the exam. Within two or three weeks after the exam, your certificate will be available online.
Renewal
The HN-BC certification is valid for five years from the date on the certificate. The AHNCC will notify you about six months before the expiration date, and all documentation must be submitted 60 days before the expiration date.
To recertify, download an application. You must also meet the following requirements:
Continue to hold a valid nursing license in good standing
Be actively involved in holistic nursing
Complete 100 continuing education of professional development hours
The AHNCC is very particular about what it accepts for continuing education. They must address holistic nursing issues, like spirituality, holistic self-care, sacred space, or intention. The AHNCC does not accept medical-focused courses for recertification unless you can explain how they relate to your holistic practice.
The recertification fee is $325 or $295 for members of the FBCN, AHNA, or NOVA.
Other Resources
The AHNCC offers a certification handbook, which includes a exam blueprint, and a recertification handbook online with loads of information to help you prepare. It also offers a practice test for $65 to help you prepare as well as an extensive list of frequently asked questions.
Related Certifications
The AHNCC also offers the following certifications:
Frequently asked questions
Can I retake the exam?
Yes, you can retake the exam at a reduced fee of $225 for up to 12 months from the date of your first exam, though there is a 30 day waiting period. You can take the test as many times as you need to in these 12 months, but you must pay the testing fee each time.
How do I know if the AHNCC has endorsed my school?
There is a thorough list available on the AHNCC website. If your school is endorsed, you may qualify for modified certification requirements for up to two years past your graduation date. You may not have to provide contact hours or submit documentation showing that you have practiced for at least one year. The curriculum of your program may meet these requirements.
What other certifications does the AHNCC offer besides the HN-BC?
What organization offers the HN-BC?
The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) offers the HN-BC exam and contracts the Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET) to handle applications and administration. The Accreditation Board for Speciality Nursing Certification (ABSNC) accredits the HN-BC certification.
Can I earn a HN-BC online?
No you can't earn a HN-BC online.