This exam is developed and maintained by the National Center
for Competency Testing or NCCT to determine if medical assistant candidates
have the knowledge and abilities needed to gain certification in their field. A
passing completion of this exam will earn you the credentials NCMA.
Who is Eligible:
In order to be eligible to take the exam, a candidate must:
- Submit a copy of their RN license:
- The license must be from within the United States.
- Submit either an academic transcript or proof of current certification that shows you have attained one of the following:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing, or if you’re from another country, an equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in nursing, OR
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in a health-related field relevant to school nursing.
- If you have a bachelor’s that is not nursing or health related, you will need six additional credits for undergraduate or graduate courses in any combination of:
- Health assessment of children and/or adults.
- Public health/community health/epidemiology.
- Management of primary healthcare problems of children and/or adolescents, OR
- Current certification by NBCSN as an NCSN.
- A candidate must also meet the clinical practice requirements of a minimum of 1,000 hours, three years prior to taking the exam.
What is the Exam Format?
4-hour, Computer-based exam consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions.
How do I Complete the Application?
You may complete the application on the official NBCSN website: www.nbcsn.org/apply. You will be provided with instructions on how to complete the application from there.
What is the Application Fee?
The fee for the application is $360. You may pay via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
How do I schedule my exam?
Once you’re approved to take your exam, you will receive an email with your Authorization to Test (ATT). This ATT includes all of the information you need to schedule your exam.
It’s important to note that exam appointments are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis.
What happens if I need to reschedule my exam?
- If you need to reschedule your exam, you will not be charged a fee if it is 30-days prior to your scheduled exam. To do this you will need to contact Prometric to reschedule.
- If you need to withdraw from the exam entirely, you will be charged a $75 fee.
- You will need to log into your NBCSN account to withdraw your application.
- If you need to reschedule your exam, you will be charged a $50 fee payable to Prometric if it is between 29 and 5 days prior to your scheduled exam.
- If you need to withdraw you will be charged a $125 fee. Be sure to log into your NBCSN account to withdraw your application.
- You will not be able to reschedule your exam if it is 5 days prior to your scheduled exam. If you don’t show up for the exam the fee that you paid will be forfeited.
What is the Exam Content?
- Health Appraisal – 26% Including, but not limited to:
- General Physical and Psychosocial Health
- Systems
- Nose, Mouth, and Throat
- Health Problems and Nursing Management – 27% Including, but not limited to:
- Emergency Care
- Communicable Diseases
- Disaster Preparedness
- Health Promotion/Disease Prevention – 20% Including, but not limited to:
- Immunizations
- Health Education
- Counseling
- Special Health Issues – 14% Including, but not limited to:
- Special Health Needs
- Legal Considerations
- Educational/Health Management
- Professional Issues – 13% Including, but not limited to:
- Code of ethics
- Medication
- Legal Issues
How Should I Expect on Test Day?
On the day of the exam plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. You must have a signed, valid government issued photo ID on you.
Small, simple calculators are permitted. However, any other personal electronics are not.
When will I receive my results?
You can expect your results in the mail approximately six to eight weeks after taking the exam.
What if I failed?
If you failed the exam you may retake it as often as you need to as long as you pay the required fees.
How Can I Prepare for the NBCSN Test?
That’s a great question. We’ve broken down the answer into three parts.
- Do yourself a favor and study. Do not walk in unprepared. We have recommended prep materials below, but that only helps if you actually try. Plus, studying is actually proven to be the best antidote to test anxiety.
- Take care of yourself. Make sure you’re eating well, exercising, and sleeping. All of these things are scientifically linked to brain performance. If you take care of your body, you’ll be helping your grades.
- Get a study guide or set of flashcards. Some people study better a certain way. Find your study strengths and make the most of them. We’ve tried to make it easy for you by tracking down the best study guide and flashcard set for your exam. Below you’ll see links to both!