Exam Eligibility Advance practice nurses who plan to take the OCNS-CŪ or ONP-CŪ examination must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Hold a current, full and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States, or its possessions, or
Hold a current, full and unrestricted license to practice as a first-level, general nurse in the country in which the candidate's general nursing education was completed, and meet the eligibility criteria for licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States in accordance with requirements of any of the following agencies:
The foreign-educated nurse who holds active certification from the following may submit a copy of his or her certificate in lieu of additional education verification:
Have three (3) full years of experience practicing as an RN, or with an equivalent license as described above
Have graduated from a nursing program at an accredited institution offering graduate-level credit for all of the coursework, and which includes both didactic and clinical components
Nurses who completed a graduate degree in a university outside the United States may not be eligible for ONCB's APN certification. Please contact the ONCB (888-561-6622) for evaluation of your transcript and degree program.
Hold a Master's Degree or higher in nursing from an advanced practice (APRN) nursing program as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or nurse practitioner (NP)
Have a minimum of 1,500 hours of advance practice nursing work experience within the past three (3) years if a current ONCŪ and presently be functioning as a CNS or NP in orthopaedic nursing. If the candidate does not currently hold the ONC credential, he or she must have a minimum of 2500 hours of work experience as a CNS or NP in orthopaedic nursing practice within the past three (3) years, and presently be functioning as a CNS or NP in orthopaedic nursing.