RN-BC Certification

What This Credential Actually Is

The Informatics Nursing Certification is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and recognizes registered nurses who work in the specialty where clinical practice meets information systems, data, and technology. If you have seen the "RN-BC" label attached to this exam, that is the legacy designation many nurses still use. The credential now awarded carries the designation NI-BC (Nursing Informatics-Board Certified). Same exam family, same issuer, updated letters.

That terminology gap matters when you research. Older study materials, job postings, and forum threads may reference the RN-BC letters, and some describe an outdated exam format (a longer test with 175 questions and 3.5 hours). The current exam is shorter, and the details in this article reflect ANCC's current published policies. For background on the naming, see our explainers on what RN-BC certification is and what RN-BC stands for.

The Three Eligibility Routes

ANCC does not let you simply register and sit. You apply, get approved, and receive an Eligibility ID. Every candidate must meet the same baseline requirements, then satisfy one of three practice-or-education routes. For a deeper walkthrough, see RN-BC requirements: eligibility, prerequisites, and how to qualify.

Baseline requirements for everyone

• A current, active U.S. RN license, or a legally recognized international equivalent
• A bachelor's or higher degree in nursing
• Two years of full-time-equivalent practice as an RN
• 30 hours of continuing education in informatics nursing completed within the previous three years

Then choose one route

The 30 CE hours are a common stumbling block. They must be specifically informatics nursing content and fall inside the three-year window, so start collecting qualifying education early rather than hunting for it the week you want to apply.

Exam Format and Testing Rules

The exam is multiple choice, computer-based, and delivered at Prometric test centers. Applications are accepted year-round, and once approved you receive a 120-day authorization window to schedule and test. You schedule with the Eligibility ID from your approval email. Our guide to RN-BC exam dates, windows, and scheduling covers the logistics in more detail.

• 150 total questions: 125 scored and 25 unscored pretest items. The unscored items are indistinguishable from the scored ones, so treat every question as if it counts.
• Three hours of testing time. Breaks consume that clock.
• Closed book. Personal calculators, study materials, and outside electronic resources are prohibited.
• Mark-and-review is available. You can flag questions and return to them.
• No guessing penalty. Never leave an item blank.

The Blueprint: Three Domains, 125 Scored Items

ANCC publishes a Test Content Outline for this exam (effective May 3, 2023, updated August 29, 2025). Its three domains and weights are below. The outline's examples are illustrative, not exhaustive, and they do not signal relative importance, so avoid studying only the named examples. For a longer treatment, read the complete guide to all three RN-BC content areas.

Because Foundations and System Design together account for 89 of the 125 scored items, a candidate who knows lifecycle phases and professional-role responsibilities cold has a strong base. Do not neglect Data Management, though; 36 items is too many to leave to chance.

Scoring, Retakes, and the 2025 Pass Data

What counts as passing

You need a scaled score of at least 350 on a scale with a maximum of 500. This is a scaled score, not a raw percentage, so you cannot translate it into "I need to answer 70% correctly." Our passing score explainer unpacks the distinction.

Retake limits

If you do not pass, you must wait at least 60 calendar days before retesting, and you may not test more than three times in any 12-month period. That makes a first-attempt plan worth the effort, since a miss costs at least two months plus another fee.

What the official data says

ANCC's 2025 data reports a first-time pass rate of 65%, with 229 passes among 352 first-time candidates. As of December 31, 2025, 3,536 certificants were recorded. This is a dated cohort statistic describing one year's first-time test takers, not a prediction of your individual odds. Candidates who prepare against the blueprint, and who have real practice experience in the domains, are not randomly drawn from that group. For more context, see what the pass rate data shows and how hard the exam really is.

Fees, Registration, and the Five-Year Term

Initial certification fees depend on your membership status, and each includes a $140 nonrefundable administrative fee:

The ANA member discount is $100 off the initial fee, which is worth weighing against membership dues if you plan to renew as well. Certification lasts five years. Our full certification cost breakdown walks through budgeting beyond the exam fee, including study materials and CE.

Renewal: Two Frameworks and a Date That Matters

Renewal rules differ depending on when you submit your application, so confirm which framework applies to you. In both cases, renewal activities must be completed within your current five-year certification period before you submit.

Applications submitted before February 1, 2027

• Maintain current RN licensure and a certification eligible for renewal
• Complete 75 specialty-related CE contact hours, including at least 60 formally approved hours
• Complete one additional professional-development category in full: another 75 CE hours, qualifying academic credits, presentations, evidence-based practice/quality improvement/publication/research, preceptorship, professional service, 1,000 specialty practice hours, or examination

Practice hours are optional under this framework, which is useful for nurses who change roles during the cycle.

Applications submitted on or after February 1, 2027

• Complete 75 relevant CE contact hours, all of which must be accredited and/or formally approved
• Complete one activity within a professional-development pathway of additional continuing education, practice, or scholarship
• An additional 75 CE hours remains an available pathway option

Sequencing Your Preparation Around the Blueprint

Because the domains reward different kinds of thinking, the order you study them matters more than a generic schedule. One workable approach, built around the weights, is below. For a broader plan, see our RN-BC study guide and the one-page cheat sheet for last-week review.

The ANCC-published outline is your authoritative scope document. Third-party question banks, an ANIA review course, and ANA's own practice product are options for question practice, but remember that the number of questions in a practice product has nothing to do with the live exam's specifications. Use full-length timed sets from our main practice test site to build stamina, and treat every missed question as a prompt to reread the corresponding outline objective rather than just memorize an answer.

Where the Credential Fits in Your Career

Informatics nurses are typically hired by hospitals and health systems, ambulatory and community organizations, health IT vendors, consulting firms, and payer or quality-focused organizations. Typical roles include clinical informatics specialist, EHR analyst or application coordinator, clinical systems trainer, implementation consultant, and informatics manager or director. Browse the RN-BC jobs overview for role types, and our salary guide for how pay varies by role and setting.

Whether certification pays off depends on your goals: some employers require or prefer it for senior or leadership roles, others weigh experience more heavily, and some value it as a credibility signal when moving from bedside work into informatics. For a measured take, read whether the certification is worth it. If you are still new to the field, the what is RN-BC primer is a good starting point, and our training overview covers ways to build the required informatics hours and education.

Ready to test your readiness against the real format? Start with a timed set on our practice test hub and see which domain needs work first.

Frequently Asked Questions