NE-BC® - Nurse Executive Board Certified

About NE-BC Certification

The Nurse Executive Board Certified (NE-BC) exam is offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This certification is tailored for registered nurses who aspire to excel in executive and leadership roles within healthcare organizations. The exam evaluates a nurse’s knowledge and skills in key areas such as operational management, financial planning, healthcare regulations, and workforce development. Achieving the NE-BC credential signifies a commitment to advancing healthcare leadership and fostering environments that prioritize quality care, safety, and innovation. This certification underscores a nurse’s ability to lead teams, drive organizational success, and contribute to the evolving demands of the healthcare system.

BoardCerts NE-BC Question Bank

BoardCerts offers a robust question bank specifically crafted to support your success on the Nurse Executive Board Certified (NE-BC) exam. Featuring BoardCerts practice questions and multiple predictor exams, our content aligns closely with the NE-BC exam blueprint. Each question is meticulously reviewed by nursing leaders and NE-BC certified nurses, ensuring it reflects the exams standards and complexity. Our question bank provides detailed rationales and explanations for every answer, equipping you with the critical knowledge and confidence needed to excel on test day.

NE-BC Exam Content Outline

The Nurse Executive Board Certified (NE-BC) exam evaluates a candidate's proficiency across four primary domains:

For a comprehensive breakdown of the exam content, please view the BoardCerts resources page, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources

NE-BC Exam Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Nurse Executive Board Certified (NE-BC) exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Licensure: Hold an active registered nurse (RN) license.

• Education: Possess a bachelor's or higher degree in nursing.

• Experience: Accumulate at least 2,000 hours of experience in a leadership, management, or administrative role with primary responsibility for the daily operations and outcomes of one or more units or departments within the last three years.

• Continuing Education: Within the last three years, finish 30 hours of continuing education in leadership, management, or administration.

NE-BC Application Process

• Online Application: Begin by visiting the ANCC website to access the online application portal for the NE-BC exam.
• Application Submission: Complete the application by providing the necessary personal and professional information, including details about your nursing license, educational background, and relevant work experience.
• Eligibility Review: After submission, the ANCC will review your application to verify that you meet all eligibility requirements. This process can take time, so it's advisable to apply well in advance of your desired exam date.
• Scheduling the Exam: Upon approval, you'll receive instructions to schedule your exam through Prometric.
• Preparation: To prepare effectively, consider utilizing resources such as the BoardCerts NE-BC Question Bank, which aligns closely with the exam blueprint and reflects the level of difficulty found on the actual test. This comprehensive question bank covers the topics on the exam and is regularly updated to ensure it stays current with the latest standards in nursing leadership and management.

NE-BC Exam Dates and Costs

• Application Window: The NE-BC exam is available year-round, allowing candidates to apply and test at their convenience. After your application is approved, you will have a 120-day window to schedule and take the exam.
• Exam Costs: For the most current information on exam fees and any additional costs, please refer to the official ANCC website.

NE-BC Exam Format

• Number of Questions: The Nurse Executive Board Certified (NE-BC) exam is comprised of 150 multiple-choice questions, of which 125 are scored, and 25 are unscored pretest questions.
• Exam Response Options: Each question presents four response options, with only one correct answer.
• Testing Options: Candidates have the flexibility to take the exam at Prometric testing centers at a convenient date and location. Live remote proctoring is not available.
• Time Allotted: Examinees are given 3 hours to complete the exam.

Passing Score for NE-BC

Difficulty Level: The NE-BC exam is considered challenging, with an average pass rate of approximately 66%. This reflects the exam's comprehensive assessment of advanced nursing leadership competencies.

Passing Score: To pass the NE-BC exam, candidates must achieve a scaled score of at least 350 on a scale ranging from 0 to 500. This scaled scoring method ensures consistency across different versions of the exam.

Score Reporting: Candidates can check their results online through the Prometric Report Validation Portal. To access scores, candidates need to enter their exam confirmation number and last name.

NE-BC Exam Proctoring

Proctoring Organization: The NE-BC exam is administered by the ANCC in partnership with Prometric, a leading provider of testing and assessment services.

Testing Options: In-person testing is available year-round at Prometric test centers. Live remote proctoring option is not available for this exam.

NE-BC Preparation and Resources

At BoardCerts, we meticulously align our practice questions with the NE-BC exam blueprint to ensure relevance and comprehensive coverage of the content you will encounter on the test. Our question bank is developed in coordination with this blueprint. This approach ensures that our resources are grounded in the same authoritative materials used to create the NE-BC exam, providing you with an effective and thorough preparation experience.

• Topics on Exam: Familiarize yourself with the NE-BC exam blueprint, which outlines the key areas of focus, including human resource management, quality and safety, business management, and health care delivery. For effective preparation, visit Preparation and Resources

• Review Course: Consider enrolling in a review course, such as the NE-BC Review Course offered by ANCC. This course provides a structured learning path and covers essential content areas pertinent to the exam.

• Question Bank: Utilize a comprehensive resource like the BoardCerts NE-BC Question Bank, which aligns with the exam blueprint and is reviewed by nursing leaders and NE-BC-certified nurses. Our question bank offers extensive practice questions and includes predictor exams to help gauge your exam readiness, ensuring you are well-prepared for success.

NE-BC Certification Renewal

The Nurse Executive Board Certified (NE-BC) credential is valid for five years. To maintain this certification, nurses must complete the renewal process, which includes:

• Continuing Education Hours: Accumulate a minimum of 75 continuing education (CE) hours in nursing leadership, management, or administration within the five-year certification period.

• Professional Development Activities: Engage in at least one of the eight options offered within the renewal professional development categories, such as academic courses, presentations, publications, preceptorship, professional service, and practice hours. More information can be found in the Certification Renewal Requirement handbook.

NE-BC Practice Questions

Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of NE-BC exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. The BoardCerts NE-BC Question Bank offers high-quality, exam-focused practice questions that align with the NE-BC exam blueprint, ensuring you are well-prepared and confident on test day.

• Access Sample Questions: Find sample questions from the BoardCerts question bank here. These questions are crafted to reflect the level of application and difficulty found on the NE-BC exam.

NE-BC Related Certifications

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), offer a variety of additional nursing leadership exams. Below is a list of these certifications:

• Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (NEA-BC): Offered by ANCC, this exam recognizes advanced-level nurse executives responsible for complex healthcare organizations and strategic decision-making.
• Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC): Offered by ANCC, this exam acknowledges nurses who facilitate the professional growth and development of fellow nurses through education and mentorship.
• Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML): Offered by AONL, this exam is designed for nurse managers, focusing on leadership, financial management, and human resource skills in healthcare settings.
• Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP): Offered by AONL, this exam is for senior nurse leaders, emphasizing strategic leadership, healthcare operations, and executive decision-making.