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Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Core Certification (RNC-NIC)
Find the current format, timing, scoring, fees, eligibility, and testing options for RNC-NIC, with direct links to official sources.
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Questions175 multiple-choice items (three options each); 150 scored and 25 unscored pretest items
Testing time3 hours
ScoringCriterion-referenced pass/fail computed by item response theory (Rasch) ability estimate against a predetermined ability criterion; no set percentage passing level and no published cut score; test reports give word descriptors (very weak to very strong), not numeric scores
Exam feeUSD 325 total (a USD 50 non-refundable application fee plus a USD 275 testing fee) for test-center or Live Remote Proctoring delivery; incomplete applications incur a USD 30 reprocessing fee
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Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- NCC
- Category
- Specialty Nursing Certification
- Current version
- Current specification per the 2026 Candidate Guide; no exam version code
- Where it applies
- International / multi-country
- Exam languages
- English
- Testing provider
- PSI (AMP Assessment Centers and Live Remote Proctoring delivery)
- Format
- Computer-based at AMP test centers or via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) online
- Availability
- Applications accepted at any time (no deadlines); after eligibility approval, a 90-day window to schedule and test, with the exam appointment to be scheduled within the first 30 days of the window and at least 4 business days between scheduling and the test date; LRP appointments available 24 hours a day, test center appointments Monday through Saturday
- Results
- No results at the test site; official pass/fail results, followed 24 hours later by the score report, are posted to the candidate's NCC account within 15 business days of the computer exam administration (up to 21 business days or longer when new exam forms are introduced)
- Remote testing
- Available
Exam structure
One 3-hour computer exam of 175 three-option multiple-choice items (150 scored, 25 pretest) across five content categories: General Assessment 9%, General Management 39%, Assess & Manage Pathophysiologic States 44%, Psychosocial Support 5%, Professional Issues 3%
Where rules vary
The exam is a core nursing certification for licensed registered nurses in the United States and Canada; AMP test centers are located in the United States, with Live Remote Proctoring available as an alternative delivery method.
Eligibility
Current/active/unencumbered RN licensure in the U.S. or Canada, plus 24 months of specialty experience as a U.S. or Canadian RN comprised of a minimum of 2,000 hours (direct patient care, education, administration, or research; may have occurred any time in the career), and employment in the specialty sometime in the last 24 months — both practice time and hours must be met
Retake policy
45-day wait after testing before reapplying, with full application and examination fees and re-established eligibility; maximum of two attempts at the same NCC exam per calendar year