NEA-BC - Nurse Executive Advanced - Board Certified
About NEA-BC Certification
The Nurse Executive Advanced - Board Certified (NEA-BC) exam is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This certification is designed for nurses who influence organizational outcomes across multiple groups and departments, focusing on strategic planning, high-level financial management, resource allocation, and system integration. Achieving the NEA-BC credential demonstrates a nurse's advanced expertise in executive leadership within healthcare settings.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Description | A comprehensive certification exam for professionals in nursing executive leadership. |
Credentials Earned | Nurse Executive Advanced - Board Certified |
Eligibility Requirements | Active RN license and a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience in nursing leadership, management, or administration with responsibility for organization or system level outcomes in the last 3 years and 30 hours of applicable CE in the last 3 years. |
Completion Time | 3 hours to complete exam. |
Subjects Covered in the Exam | 4 main categories, including leadership, quality and safety, human capital management, and healthcare delivery. |
Number of Questions | 150 multiple-choice questions, with 125 scored and 25 pretest questions. |
Exam Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based test. |
Exam Proctoring | Exam can be taken at a testing center via Prometric. |
Recertification Details | Required every 5 years; includes proof of continuing education and professional development activities. |
Pass/Fail Rates | Pass rates vary annually but average approximately 75%. |
Difficulty Level | Hard. |
Study Material | BoardCerts NEA-BC Question Bank. |
BoardCerts NEA-BC Question Bank
BoardCerts offers a meticulously crafted question bank tailored for the Nurse Executive Advanced-Board Certified (NEA-BC) exam. Our resources align seamlessly with the NEA-BC exam blueprint. Each question undergoes a thorough review process by NEA-BC-certified nurses, to ensure accuracy and relevance. Designed to match the complexity of the actual exam, our question bank provides detailed rationales for every answer, supporting your preparation with clarity and confidence.
NEA-BC Exam Content Outline
The NEA-BC exam evaluates competencies across four primary domains:
- Leadership (34%): Knowledge and skills in leadership theories, relationship building, strategic planning, change management, coaching, communication techniques, and fiscal management.
- Quality and Safety (24%): Understanding healthcare standards, emergency preparedness, risk assessment, performance benchmarking, and process improvement.
- Human Capital Management (14%): Evaluates knowledge of employee protection laws, professional development, and workforce engagement strategies.
- Health Care Delivery (27%): Healthcare delivery models, ethics, information technology, research methodology, evidence-based practice evaluation, and patient experience strategies.
For a comprehensive breakdown, refer to the NEA-BC exam blueprint, which can be viewed here: Preparation and Resources
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
NEA-BC Exam Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Nurse Executive Advanced Board Certified (NEA-BC) exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Licensure: Hold a current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Educational Background: Possess a graduate degree and either the bachelor's degree or graduate degree must be in nursing.
- Professional Experience: Accumulate at least 2,000 hours of experience in a leadership, management, or administrative role within the last three years with responsibility for organization or system wide outcomes.
- Continuing Education: Within the last three years, complete 30 hours of continuing education in nursing administration, leadership, or management.
NEA-BC Application Process
Online Application: To apply for the Nurse Executive Advanced Board Certified (NEA-BC) exam, visit the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification Application Portal.
Application Submission: Complete the online application by providing your personal details, educational background, professional experience, and documentation of continuing education hours.
Education Verification: Submit all relevant transcripts.
Application Review: After submission, ANCC will review your application to verify eligibility.
Scheduling the Exam: Upon approval, you'll receive instructions to schedule your exam through Prometric, ANCC's testing partner. You will have 120 days to make the appointment and take the exam.
Preparation: To prepare effectively, utilize a question bank such as the BoardCerts NEA-BC Question Bank, which aligns closely with the exam blueprint and reflects the exam's difficulty level.
NEA-BC Exam Dates and Costs
Application Window: The Nurse Executive Advanced Board Certified (NEA-BC) exam is available year-round. Candidates can apply at any time and, upon approval, have a 120-day window to schedule and complete the exam at their convenience.
Exam Costs: For the most current information on exam fees, please refer to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) website.
NEA-BC Exam Format
Number of Questions: The NEA-BC exam comprises of 150 multiple-choice questions, including 125 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions.
Exam Response Options: Each question presents four response options.
Testing Options: Candidates can take the exam at Prometric testing centers. Live remote proctoring is not available for this exam.
Time Allotted: Examinees have 3 hours to complete the exam.
Passing Score for NEA-BC
Difficulty Level: The NEA-BC exam is considered challenging, with an average pass rate of approximately 75%. This reflects the exam's comprehensive assessment of advanced nursing leadership competencies. The BoardCerts NEA-BC Question Bank is meticulously designed to align with the exam blueprint, featuring questions reviewed by NEA-BC certified nurses to bolster your preparation for this exam.
Passing Score: The exam utilizes a scaled scoring system with a maximum score of 500. The minimum passing score for this exam is 350. This method ensures consistency across different exam versions by accounting for variations in difficulty.
Exam Statistics: The average pass rate is 75%.
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.
NEA-BC Exam Proctoring
The Nurse Executive Advanced Board Certified (NEA-BC) exam is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in collaboration with Prometric test centers. Candidates are required to take the exam at a Prometric testing center, as Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) is not offered for ANCC certification exams.
NEA-BC Preparation and Resources
At BoardCerts, we meticulously align our practice questions with the NEA-BC exam blueprint to ensure comprehensive preparation. Our question bank is developed in coordination with this blueprint.
Topics on the Exam: Familiarize yourself with the NEA-BC exam blueprint, which outlines the specific content areas. You can find this blueprint here: Preparation and Resources.
Review Course: Engaging in a structured review course, such as the Nurse Executive Advanced Board Certified (NEA-BC) Interactive Online Review Course offered by the American Nurses Association (ANA), can solidify your understanding of key concepts and frameworks essential for the exam.
Question Bank: Utilizing a comprehensive resource like the BoardCerts NEA-BC Question Bank is highly recommended. Our question bank is reviewed by NEA-BC certified nurses, providing extensive practice that is crucial for success. Additionally, it includes predictor exams to help gauge your exam readiness.
NEA-BC Certification Renewal
The Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (NEA-BC) is valid for five years. To maintain this credential, individuals must fulfill specific renewal requirements to demonstrate continued competence in nursing leadership.
- Continuing Education Hours: Accumulate a minimum of 75 continuing education (CE) hours in the exam specialty 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.
NEA-BC Practice Questions
Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of NEA-BC exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. The BoardCerts NEA-BC Question Bank offers high-quality, exam-focused sample questions that align with the NEA-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 NEA-BC exam.
Nursing Certifications by ANCC
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 Board Certified (NE-BC): Offered by ANCC, this exam recognizes nurse leaders who work in executive and leadership roles in healthcare organizations.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
