ONC - Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONCB)
- Cost $300-$425
- Renews every 5 years
COURSE FORMAT
About
The Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC) certification is a specialized credential for registered nurses (RNs) in orthopaedic nursing. This certification, administered by the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB), validates a nurse's specialized knowledge and skills in orthopaedic nursing. It's designed for RNs who provide care to patients with musculoskeletal conditions. The ONC certification demonstrates a commitment to a higher standard of professional competence in the orthopaedic nursing field and is widely recognized in the healthcare community.
Eligibility
Candidates aren’t required to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), but they must:
Have a current, unencumbered RN license
Have 2 full years of experience practicing as an RN
Have at least 1,000 hours of RN practice in orthopaedic nursing within the past 3 years
Completion Time: 3 hours
Cost:
$300: NAON/AANP/NOVA/CONA members
$425: nonmembers
Course Format
Exam Format
Meazure Learning is ONCB’s test vendor. The ONC exam contains 150 questions, with 135 scored and 15 unscored pilot items. Scored questions are broken down into the following categories:
Degenerative Disorders: 51
Orthopaedic Trauma: 26
Sports Injuries: 15
Metabolic Bone Disorders: 12
Inflammatory Disorders: 11
Congenital/Pediatric: 7
Musculoskeletal Tumors: 7
Neuromuscular: 6
Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam. A raw score of 97 correctly answered questions is needed to pass.
ONCB offers in-person testing at Meazure Learning testing sites.
ONCB also offers live remote proctoring (LRP), allowing candidates to test from home or work.
Certification
Application Process
Review the Candidate Handbook and attest to having read it.
Download the appropriate Supervisor Verification Form for the ONC exam.
Complete and upload either the:
Apply for the exam.
Receive a confirmation email from Meazure Learning, once approved for testing, with your eligibility window to schedule your exam.
Schedule your exam at an in-person testing site or use online LRP.
Renewal
Renewal must occur every 5 years. Recertification requirements include:
Current, unrestricted RN licensure
1,000 hours practice during the previous 5 years
Continuing education (CE)
Renewal Fees
$250 NAON members, $375 nonmembers with LearningBuilder submission
$300 NAON members, $425 nonmembers with paper submission
Continuing Education
75 contact hours of education (at least 50 hours in clinical orthopaedics, up to 25 hours in general nursing)
Other Resources
Practice Exams and Flashcards (Exams cost $40 each and flashcards $25)
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Frequently asked questions
What other certifications does the ONCB offer besides the Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC)?
What organization offers the Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC)?
The Orthopedic Nurse Certification Board (ONCB) offers the Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC).
Can I earn a ONCB Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC) online?
Yes you can earn a ONCB Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC) online.
What other certifications should I consider after getting the ONCB Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC)?
After obtaining the ONCB Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC), you might also pursue the ONCB Orthopaedic Nurses Certification - Advanced Certification (ONC-A).
How often do I need to renew my ONCB Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC) certification?
You must renew your ONCB Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC) certification every five years.
What is the initial certification fee for the ONCB Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC) certification?
The initial ONCB Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC) certification fee is $300 for NAON/AANP/NOVA/CONA members and $425 for non-members.
What are the requirements for renewing the ONCB Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC) certification?
The requirements to renew Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC) certification include unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse, 1,000 hours of practice during the previous 5 years, plus 75 contact hours of education (minimum 50 hours in clinical orthopedics, up to 25 hours in general nursing).