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Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) Examination
The Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) examination is an ONCC certification test that validates specialty knowledge of adult oncology nursing practice.
Official exam siteJump to prep options ↓
Questions165 multiple-choice questions: 145 scored plus 20 unscored pretest/experimental items
Testing time3 hours (test session includes a 15-minute tutorial and post-test survey; no scheduled breaks)
ScoringPassing scaled score of 55 (raw scores equated across test forms)
Exam feeUSD 300 ONS/APHON member / USD 420 nonmember for the initial certification test; USD 75 additional for testing outside the US, its territories, or Canada
Prep options
Study resources for OCN
Independent prep
Courses and study resources
Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- ONCC
- Category
- Specialty Nursing Certification
- Current version
- 2026 OCN Test Content Outline (test blueprint based on a 2024 role delineation study)
- Where it applies
- International / multi-country
- Exam languages
- English
- Score scale
- 25–75 scaled score
- Testing provider
- PSI
- Format
- Computer-based, delivered in person at PSI test centers
- Availability
- By appointment at PSI test centers within a 90-day testing window that opens with the Authorization to Test (ATT)
- Results
- On-screen results immediately upon exam completion; emailed printable results within one hour; PSI portal access beginning 24 hours after testing
- Credential validity
- Certification is valid for four years after passing
- Remote testing
- Not available
Exam structure
165 four-option multiple-choice items (145 scored) across six subject areas: Care Continuum 14%, Oncology Nursing Practice 15%, Treatment Modalities 20%, Symptom Management and Supportive Care 25%, Oncologic Emergencies 16%, and Psychosocial Dimensions of Care 10%.
Where rules vary
Eligibility requires an RN license in the US, its territories, or Canada; ONCC tests are administered at PSI test sites throughout North America. Testing outside the US/Canada is offered only in a limited annual window (June 1-30, 2026) with a USD 75 surcharge and requires US-equivalency credential evaluation.
Eligibility
Current, active, unencumbered RN license in the US, its territories, or Canada; two years (24 months) of RN experience within the prior four years; 2,000 hours of adult oncology nursing practice within the prior four years; 10 contact hours of oncology nursing CE (or an academic elective) within the prior three years
Retake policy
After a failed attempt, candidates may reapply once the current ATT expires and may not test more than once per 90-day eligibility period; after a third failure within three years, a one-year wait applies. Optional DoubleTake (USD 100 at initial application) provides a discounted retake that must be used within 180 days of the first attempt.