Legal Nurse Consultant Certification (LNCC): Overview and FAQ
The Legal Nurse Consultant Certification (LNCC) is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates a nurse’s skills and experience in consulting on legal cases involving medical issues.
Though hundreds of thousands of medical errors occur annually, only a fraction — about 17,000 lawsuits — reach the courts. LNCCs play a critical role in these rare but high-stakes cases, ensuring that the medical facts are clear, the voices of patients and providers are represented accurately, and justice has a fair chance to prevail.
Want to become an LNCC-certified professional? This guide provides an overview of what the certification is, including who qualifies for it and how to earn it. Plus, we’ll answer some of the most commonly asked questions about it.
Legal Nurse Consultant Certification: Snapshot
- Eligibility: You must hold a current registered nurse (RN) license, have at least 5 years of experience as a practicing RN, and acquire 2,000 hours of legal nurse consulting experience within the past 5 years.
- Preparation: Review the LNCC candidate handbook, study all domains listed in the exam content outline, and use practice questions to test your readiness.
- Application process: Submit your application through the certifying body’s online portal, upload the necessary documents, and wait for review and approval.
- Exam: Your test will have 200 questions, and you’ll have 4 hours to answer them.
- Cost: The exam fee is $495.
- Renewal: You’ll need to renew your certification every 5 years.
What Is LNCC Certification?
LNCC is a professional credential awarded to legal nurse consultants who meet rigorous eligibility requirements and successfully pass a specialized exam. This exam is administered by the American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board (ALNCCB), established by the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC), and the certification is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).
Wondering what you’ll be tested on? The exam content outline is built around 10 core domains — each one essential to your work as a nurse consultant in legal matters:
- Medical malpractice
- Personal injury
- Long-term care litigation/elder law
- Product liability
- Toxic tort
- Workers’ compensation
- Risk management
- Life care planning
- Regulatory compliance
- Medicare set-aside (MSA)
In addition to these domains, the test assesses your ability to apply essential skills within the scope of legal nurse consulting work:
- Identify and collect data
- Analyze data
- Draft documents
- Participate in case strategy development
- Participate in the adjudication of legal claims
How to Get Legal Nurse Consultant Certification
Curious about what it takes to earn the LNCC credential? Let’s explore the journey to becoming a certified nurse consultant in legal cases.
1. Meet LNCC Certification Requirements
The first step toward becoming certified is meeting the eligibility requirements. Think of these as your pre‑certification checklist that qualifies you to sit for the exam. Here’s what the ALNCCB expects of you before you submit your application for LNCC certification:
- Have a current, full, and unrestricted license as an RN in the U.S. or its territories.
- Acquire a minimum of 5 years of experience practicing as an RN.
- Provide proof of completing 2,000 hours of legal nurse consulting experience within the past 5 years.
Wondering what kind of work experience can count toward the required 2,000 hours? To meet the eligibility criteria, your work hours must meet all three of the following:
- Performed at the request of a client, such as a law firm, insurance company, hospital, or other organization involved in legal processes
- Directly related to claims or cases where your nursing education and experience are essential
- Involving activities that are generally considered billable
2. Prepare for the Exam
Your next step is to prepare for the LNCC exam. The ALNCCB provides a variety of resources to help you succeed on the exam — here are a few examples:
- LNCC certification handbook
- Review course
- Practice exam
- Legal Nurse Consulting Principles and Practices 4th Edition
3. Register for the Exam
Next, set up an online account through the candidate management system (CMS) via Schroeder Measurement Technologies (SMT). After your account is ready, submit your exam application, upload required documents such as proof of licensure and experience, and pay the required fees. Once your application is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive a notification with details on scheduling your exam.
4. Pay the Exam Fee
The LNCC certification cost is $495 for the exam itself, but AALNC members can take it at a reduced rate of $360. Additionally, preparation tools such as the review course come at an extra fee — $1,416 for members and $2,832 for non-members.
5. Pass the Exam
The LNCC exam is a comprehensive test designed to evaluate your expertise in legal nurse consulting. Here’s a preview of what you can expect on test day:
- Your test will last 4 hours.
- You’ll need to answer 200 questions.
- You’ll need a scaled score of 95 to pass, according to the modified-Angoff approach.
- You’ll receive your official certification approximately 6 weeks after you receive your score report.
6. Maintain the Certification
The LNCC certification is valid for five years, after which you must renew to keep your credentials active. Renewal helps ensure you stay current with the latest practices, standards, and legal developments in the field.
To renew your certification, you must meet the following requirements:
- Maintain a current, unrestricted RN license.
- Complete 2,000 hours of legal nurse consulting practice within the 5 years prior to renewal.
In addition, you must choose one of the following renewal pathways:
- Submit 60 contact hours that meet ALNCCB criteria.
- Pass the LNCC certification examination.
Frequently Asked Questions: Legal Nurse Consultant Certification
How hard is the LNCC exam?
The perception of difficulty varies depending on the test-taker’s background, preparation, and familiarity with legal nurse consulting concepts. The pass rate for the LNCC examination is 77%, showing that with proper preparation, many candidates succeed.
Where can you work with this credential?
With the LNCC credential, you can work in a variety of settings, including law firms, insurance companies, hospitals, government agencies, risk management departments, and consulting firms. Some legal nurse consultants may choose to work independently.
What is a typical LNCC salary?
Wondering if your paycheck changes after earning LNCC certification? Salary ranges for legal nurse consultants vary depending on experience, education, and work setting. On average, legal nurse consultants earn about $89,500 per year in the U.S., with a range between $78,000 and $105,000. Because professional certification is a valuable asset, it can give you an advantage in salary negotiations.
What are the best legal nurse consultant programs online?
Several online programs exist for RNs to learn the essentials of legal nurse consulting, offering a certificate of completion at the end. It’s important to understand that these certificates are not the same as LNCC certification but are institution-issued credentials, much like a college diploma. That said, certain programs (like Duke University’s) can be helpful in preparing for the LNCC exam.
Do I need to graduate from a legal nurse consultant program to qualify for LNCC?
While legal nurse consultant certification programs offer valuable training, they are not mandatory to apply for LNCC certification. However, to meet the eligibility requirements, you must acquire at least 2,000 hours of legal nurse consulting work experience, which can be challenging to obtain without specialized training.
Related Certifications
Want to expand your professional credentials? Here are some certifications to explore:
- Certified Case Manager (CCM)
- Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS)
- Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
Want to Elevate Your Nursing Career?
Whether you already hold legal nurse consultant certification or are working toward it, IntelyCare can connect you with rewarding nursing opportunities worth your expertise. Discover new possibilities today.