Ready to earn your RNC-NIC? Get the eligibility rules, exam cost, study tips and a realistic timeline to become a certified NICU nurse.

<p class="">The RNC-NIC is the board certification for neonatal intensive care nurses. It shows hospitals, families and your team that you have proven knowledge in caring for premature and sick newborns. With two years of NICU experience and a focused study plan, it is well within your reach.</p>
<p class="">Here is how to earn it, what it costs and how long it takes.</p>
<h2 class="">What Is the RNC-NIC Certification?</h2>
<p class="">The RNC-NIC, or Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing certification, is awarded by the National Certification Corporation (NCC). It covers the care of sick and premature newborns, from breathing and feeding to family support. You maintain it every three years.</p>
<h2 class="">Why Earn Your RNC-NIC?</h2>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Stand out to employers:</strong> Many NICU jobs list the RNC-NIC as preferred.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Build confidence:</strong> Studying deepens your knowledge of newborn conditions and treatments.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Open new doors:</strong> It strengthens your application for charge, educator, transport and advanced practice roles.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Show your commitment:</strong> It tells your team you take neonatal nursing seriously.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">Who Is Eligible for the RNC-NIC Exam?</h2>
<p class="">To sit for the RNC-NIC, you need:</p>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class="">A current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or Canada</li>
  <li class="">24 months of NICU experience as an RN, with at least 2,000 hours</li>
  <li class="">Work in the specialty at some point in the last 24 months</li>
</ul>
<p class=""><br class="" /></p>
<p class="">Both the 24 months and the 2,000 hours must be met. Your experience can come from any point in your career.</p>
<h2 class="">How to Become an RNC-NIC in 7 Steps</h2>
<h3 class="">Step 1: Earn and Keep an Active RN License</h3>
<p class="">Your license must be current and unrestricted. If you work in more than one state, our <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/licensure-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">Licensure Guide</a> can help you stay on track.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 2: Build Your NICU Experience</h3>
<p class="">Work toward 24 months and 2,000 hours in the NICU. Keep a simple record of your units and dates.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 3: Apply Through NCC</h3>
<p class="">Submit your application and fee online through NCC. There is no application deadline, and approval usually takes 1 to 14 days. Ask your employer first, since many hospitals cover certification fees.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 4: Schedule Your Exam Within 30 Days</h3>
<p class="">Once approved, you are placed in the next available 90-day testing window. You must schedule your exam within the first 30 days of that window, and at least 4 business days before your test date. You can test at a testing center or online with a live remote proctor.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 5: Study With a Plan</h3>
<p class="">Most nurses study for two to three months. Start with NCC’s content outline, then add practice questions and a review course. Spend extra time on the conditions you see less often in your unit.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 6: Take the Exam</h3>
<p class="">The RNC-NIC is a 3-hour exam with 175 multiple-choice questions. Of those, 150 are scored and 25 are unscored test questions. Your official pass or fail result is posted to your NCC account within 15 business days.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 7: Keep Your Credential Current</h3>
<p class="">You maintain your certification every three years. At the start of each cycle, you take a continuing competency assessment. Based on your results, you complete between 10 and 50 hours of continuing education. You must also keep an active RN license.</p>
<h2 class="">How Much Does the RNC-NIC Cost?</h2>
<p class=""></p>
<table class="">
  <tbody class="">
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="1" class="">Cost Item</td>
      <td data-row="1" class="">Amount</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="2" class="">RNC-NIC exam (includes $50 application cost and $275 testing fee)</td>
      <td data-row="2" class="">$325</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="3" class="">Incomplete application reprocessing</td>
      <td data-row="3" class="">$30</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="4" class="">Change of testing window</td>
      <td data-row="4" class="">$125</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="5" class="">Maintenance (every 3 years)</td>
      <td data-row="5" class="">$100</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="6" class="">Study materials</td>
      <td data-row="6" class="">Varies, from free resources to paid review courses</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>
<p class=""></p>
<p class=""><strong class="">Tip:</strong> Ask your manager about reimbursement. Cross Country travel nurses also get unlimited free CE credits, which can help with maintenance hours.</p>
<h2 class="">How Long Does It Take to Become an RNC-NIC?</h2>
<p class="">From the start of nursing school, most nurses earn the RNC-NIC in about four to six years:</p>
<ol style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Nursing school:</strong> About two years for an ADN or four years for a BSN</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">NICU experience:</strong> At least 24 months and 2,000 hours</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Study time:</strong> Two to three months</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Testing window:</strong> 90 days, scheduled within the first 30</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Maintenance:</strong> Every three years</li>
</ol>
<h2 class="">What Is on the RNC-NIC Exam?</h2>
<p class=""></p>
<table class="">
  <tbody class="">
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="1" class="">Content Area</td>
      <td data-row="1" class="">Share of Exam</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="2" class="">Assessing and managing newborn illnesses and conditions</td>
      <td data-row="2" class="">44%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="3" class="">General management, like nutrition, medications and procedures</td>
      <td data-row="3" class="">39%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="4" class="">General assessment</td>
      <td data-row="4" class="">9%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="5" class="">Family and emotional support</td>
      <td data-row="5" class="">5%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="6" class="">Professional practice</td>
      <td data-row="6" class="">3%</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>
<p class=""></p>
<p class="">Always check NCC’s current content outline, since topics and weights are updated over time.</p>
<h2 class="">RNC-NIC Study Tips From the Bedside</h2>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Study in short bursts:</strong> 20 to 30 minutes on your days off adds up fast</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Link babies to topics:</strong> Connect each patient you care for to an exam area</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Focus on the big two:</strong> Conditions and general management make up more than 80% of the exam</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Practice questions daily:</strong> Learn why wrong answers are wrong</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Book your date early:</strong> The 30-day scheduling rule keeps you on track</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">Frequently Asked Questions About the RNC-NIC</h2>
<h3 class="">Is the RNC-NIC exam hard?</h3>
<p class="">It is challenging, but very passable with NICU experience and steady prep. Practice questions are the best way to see if you are ready.</p>
<h3 class="">Do Level II special care nursery hours count?</h3>
<p class="">Check NCC’s candidate guide to confirm your unit’s hours qualify. NCC also offers a separate certification for low-risk neonatal nursing.</p>
<h3 class="">Can I take the RNC-NIC online?</h3>
<p class="">Yes. NCC offers live remote proctoring by appointment, as well as testing centers.</p>
<h3 class="">Does the RNC-NIC increase pay?</h3>
<p class="">Some hospitals offer a certification bonus or pay differential. Even where pay does not change, the RNC-NIC can help you qualify for more competitive roles.</p>
<h2 class="">Put Your RNC-NIC to Work</h2>
<p class="">Your certification makes you a strong candidate for NICU roles nationwide. Explore <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/travel" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">travel NICU nursing jobs</a>, find <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/local" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="">local and per diem shifts</a>, or learn <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/how-travel-nurses-identify-high-quality-assignments" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">how to spot high-quality assignments</a> before you sign. Browse our <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/travel-guides" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">travel guides</a> for your next destination, then <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/apply-now" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">apply with Cross Country</a>. Know a NICU nurse ready to certify? <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/refer-a-friend" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">Refer a friend</a>.</p>


RNC-NIC Certification: Steps, Cost and Timeline

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How to Become a Certified NICU RN (RNC-NIC): Steps, Cost and Timeline

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