OCN Certification: Overview and FAQ

Credentials like Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) certification help show your expertise, boost your career, and improve patient care. This credential is ideal for RNs in oncology settings like hospitals, cancer units, outpatient clinics, or hospice care. If you’re looking for a way to demonstrate your skills, stand out in the job market, and better support patients and families facing cancer, becoming an OCN could be the right fit.

Specialty certifications like this one are not typically required for practice, but they carry several research-backed benefits. These include the following:

• Improved patient safety
• Reduced infection rates
• Lower odds of patient mortality
• Higher nurse job satisfaction
• Potentially higher income

What Is an OCN in Nursing?

An Oncology Certified Nurse is an RN who has completed additional experience and testing requirements in oncology nursing. This credential validates a nurse’s expertise in cancer care, treatment, and support, and it shows dedication to patients. OCN assesses these core areas:

• Care continuum
• Oncology nursing practice
• Treatment modalities
• Symptom management and palliative care
• Oncologic emergencies
• Psychosocial dimensions of care

Earning this credential could help open doors to leadership opportunities and give you an edge when interviewing for new roles. Learn more about including your credentials in your oncology nursing resume.

How to Become an OCN: 4 Steps

Ready to earn this credential? Follow the steps below to complete the certification process.

Step 1: Meet OCN Certification Requirements

First, you’ll need to meet requirements set by the ONCC. These eligibility items help ensure that certified nurses have the experience and skills for certification. View requirements below:

• RN license: A current, unencumbered RN license in the U.S. or Canada.
• Experience: At least 2 years of experience as an RN within the past 4 years.
• Practice hours: Minimum of 2,000 hours of oncology nursing practice within the past 4 years.
• Continuing education: At least 10 contact hours of oncology-specific continuing education. These hours must be provided by an accredited provider.

Not sure if you meet the requirements? Use the ONCC’s eligibility calculator to determine whether you’re ready to apply for OCN.

Step 2: Apply Through ONCC

To get started, log in to your ONCC account and apply for OCN certification online. You’ll need to gather and submit this information to apply:

• Social security number
• Nursing license number
• NCSBN ID number
• CE documentation
• Application fees

What does the OCN certification cost? Here’s an overview of the fees:

• $300 for ONS and APHON members
• $420 for nonmembers
• Additional optional $100 DoubleTake fee

When your application is received by ONCC, you’ll receive an email. This is not a testing authorization. Your official Authorization to Test (ATT) will arrive in your inbox once your application is approved, within a month of applying. The ATT is valid for 90 days, so schedule your exam promptly to avoid having to reapply.

Step 3: Pass the Certification Exam

ONCC’s exams are offered through PSI testing centers across the nation. Show up at least 15 minutes early on exam day with two forms of identification, including one with a photo ID. The OCN exam has 165 multiple-choice questions, and 145 of these will count toward your score. You’ll have three hours to complete it, and you’ll receive your results on the same day. Passing scores on the exam will include a performance summary chart, which you can keep for renewal.

If you don’t pass the first time, you’ll receive a numeric score along with a performance summary, which you can use to guide your study. If you purchase the DoubleTake option on your initial application, you can retake the exam for free within 180 days of your first attempt. If you fail and didn’t sign up for DoubleTake, you’ll need to pay the fee again.

To avoid retesting, check out the following OCN exam resources:

• ONCC’s OCN practice tests
• The Oncology Nurses Society (OSN) OCN certification course
• An OCN certification review book

Once you pass, you’ll receive a digital certification within a few weeks, and a physical certificate in the mail four to six weeks after your test date. You can also look yourself up on the ONC certification verification portal.

Step 4: Maintain Your Credential

OCN certification renewal is due every four years, and you can apply anytime within the year before expiration. Remember that the application deadline is several months before the expiration date, so complete your requirements early to ensure a smooth renewal process. Put the renewal fees and deadlines in your calendar to avoid missing an important date.

The renewal requirements are as follows:

• Valid OCN credential
• Current, active RN license in the U.S., a U.S. territory, or Canada
• At least 1 year of experience as an RN in the past 3 years
• At least 1,000 hours of adult oncology nursing practice within 2 and a half years before application

To start your renewal, log into your ONCC account. You’ll need your NCSBN ID number again, as well as your social security number. There are three renewal options:

• Option 1: Practice hours and professional development
• Option 2: Practice hours and retesting
• Option 3: Professional development and retesting

FAQS About Becoming an OCN

How difficult is the OCN exam?

About 61% of test takers on average pass the OCN exam. Prepare well for the exam, use the resources provided, and pace yourself to do well.

ONS vs. OCN: What’s the difference?

ONS is the Oncology Nursing Society, a leading advocacy, research, education, and career development organization for oncology nurses. OCN is a credential offered by the ONCC. Unlike the ONCC, ONS doesn’t offer certifications, but they do provide membership benefits and resources for nurses pursuing cancer credentials like OCN.

Related Certifications:

• Chemo certification
• Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON)
• Certified Breast Cancer Nurse (CBCN)
• Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN)
• Advanced Oncology Certification Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP)

Find Oncology Nursing Roles

Looking for other ways to excel in your oncology nursing career alongside OCN certification? IntelyCare’s personalized job notifications make it easier to find roles that match your location, skills, and schedule. Learn more today.