Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board

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Certifying Excellence in Orthopaedic Nursing

Recertification

Your ONCŪ credential is valid for five (5) years. After the five-year period, you are required to recertify your credential to keep it active.  Recertification applications are due no later than June 30th of your recertification year.

Applications should be submitted as early as possible to avoid expiration of certification. Application processing requires 6-8 weeks. The candidate who prefers to receive the recertification by June 30 must have applications in the ONCB national office by March 31. It is recommended all materials be mailed certified, with return receipt requested.


Recertifying your credential demonstrates your continued commitment to lifelong learning and a high level of knowledge that contributes to effective patient care and safety.

Why Recertify?
  • Certified nurses are educated, engaged, and committed to high quality care.
  • Certified nurses have increased confidence as excellent practitioners.
  • Many employers and patients recognize the value of certified nurses and demand highly trained nursing staff members.
  • The ONCŪ credential distinguishes you from the field.  
  • The need for certified nurses specifically trained in orthopaedics is growing as the general population ages and requires more health-care services. 

 

ONC Recertification Requirements

Please note:  Processing recertification applications takes a MINIMUM of eight (8) weeks.  If you need to receive your new certificate and wallet card before the credential expiration date of June 30, you MUST submit your recertification application no later than April 30.

NAON Member $200    
Non-Member $300


With your initial certification, you may accrue contact hours from the date of testing. If the certification examination is offered in conjunction with an educational program such as NAON Congress, the continuing education credit offered after the exam has been taken may be used toward recertification.

Accrual of continuing education credit for the next five (5)-year recertification cycle begins after January 1, with certification expiring on June 30. If the ONC has more than the required 100 contact hours for recertification, the credits obtained earlier in the five (5)-year period should be used for recertification and hours received after January 1 saved for the next recertification cycle. If a nurse plans to do this, however, he or she must also provide a copy of Forms A and B submitted for the prior recertification cycle so ONCB can verify that those credits were not used for earlier recertification.

Contact hours for any one offering may not be split between one certification period and another certification period.


A candidate for recertification by continuing education must meet all eligibility requirements for recertification, including the 1,000 hours of work experience, and pay all recertification fees. Fees for recertification through continuing education are nonrefundable and must accompany the completed application. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will be returned with a letter describing the deficiencies; incomplete or inaccurate applications are subject to audit. Corrected applications may be resubmitted with a $30 administrative fee.

Recertification through continuing education will be denied for any of the following reasons:
  • Misrepresentation  
  • Failure to meet criteria for 100 contact hours, or provide evidence of contact hours in the event of an audit 
  • Lack of current RN license  
  • Failure to apply by deadline

Recertification will be based solely on the submitted materials. Anyone who is denied recertification may appeal by written request to the Recertification Committee. The applicant may also apply for recertification by examination.


Click here for additional information regarding ONC Recertification 

ONCB - P.O. Box87 - Columbia, South Carolina 29202 - Phone 888.561.ONCB - Fax 803.356.6171

Site hosted by the ONCB. Please email oncb@oncb.org for further information or questions. Site last updated May 2009.