ONCB is now accepting applications for the ONC-A advanced certification by portfolio. General information about eligibility is included below; please access the candidate handbook for additional information about the application and review processes.
Candidates for ONCB’s advanced orthopaedic certification (ONC-A™) by portfolio assessment must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Have three full years of experience practicing as a registered nurse (RN)
- Hold a Master’s degree or higher in nursing (e.g., MSN [CNS, CNL], MN, MNEd) OR related discipline with direct involvement in musculoskeletal health (e.g., MPH, MBA, MNA, MHA
- While entry-level education may have been completed in a foreign nursing program, candidates are not eligible to apply for ONCB’s advanced orthopaedic certification through portfolio assessment if they earned their graduate degrees abroad.
- Have a minimum of 2500 hours of nursing work experience in musculoskeletal health since completing the graduate degree, or within the last 3 years if degree completion was more than 3 years ago. This experience may be in direct care or in a support role (e.g., educator, nurse manager).
- Hold a current, full, and unrestricted license as an RN in the United States or its possessions
The candidate handbook provides important information on eligibility requirements and the application process for ONCB’s advanced certification by portfolio. Candidates must meet established eligibility criteria, submit a complete portfolio, and pay applicable fees. Only complete applications of candidates who have met eligibility requirements will be evaluated and scored by trained reviewers. Reviewers identify evidence that the portfolio meets all criteria identified in this handbook. Successful candidates will be awarded the ONC-A credential (orthopaedic nurse-certified-advanced) for a 5-year term.