NI-BC® - Informatics Nursing-Board Certified
About NI-BC Certification
The Informatics Nursing-Board Certified (NI-BC®) credential, offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), is designed for registered nurses who specialize in integrating nursing science with information and analytical sciences to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. This certification validates a nurse's expertise in informatics and their ability to support and improve healthcare outcomes through the effective use of information systems and technology.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Description | A certification exam for registered nurses who specialize in nursing informatics and health information technology. |
Credentials Earned | Informatics Nursing - Board Certified (NI-BC) |
Eligibility Requirements | Active RN license, a bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing, 30 hours of continuing education in informatics nursing within the last 3 years, and at least 2,000 hours of nursing informatics practice in the last 3 years or 12 semester hours of academic credit in informatics plus 1,000 hours of practice, or completion of a graduate program in informatics in the last 3 years with minimum of 200 hours of faculty-supervised practicum |
Completion Time | 3 hours to complete exam |
Subjects Covered in the Exam | Foundations of Practice, System Design Lifecycle, Data Management and Healthcare Technology |
Number of Questions | 150 questions, including 125 scored and 25 pretest (unscored) questions |
Exam Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based test |
Exam Proctoring | Exam can be taken in person at a prometric testing center |
Recertification Details | Required every 5 years; includes continuing education and professional development and more details can be viewed on the ANCC NI-BC website |
Pass/Fail Rates | Pass rates vary annually, but historically have averaged approximately 66% |
Difficulty Level | Hard |
Study Material | BoardCerts Question Bank provides practice questions that follow the exam blueprint |
BoardCerts NI-BC Question Bank
BoardCerts provides a comprehensive question bank designed to help you excel on the Informatics Nursing-Board Certified (NI-BC®) exam. With practice questions and four predictor exams, our content is fully aligned with the NI-BC exam blueprint. The questions are carefully reviewed by NI-certified nurses, ensuring accuracy and relevance. Our question bank mirrors the rigor of the NI-BC exam and includes detailed rationales and explanations to enhance your understanding and preparation. With BoardCerts, you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge needed to succeed in advancing your nursing career.
NI-BC Exam Content Outline
The NI-BC (Informatics Nursing - Board Certified) exam assesses a nurse’s expertise in integrating nursing practice with information technology to support improved healthcare outcomes. The exam content is structured into four major domains:
Foundations of Practice (45 questions), which focuses on core informatics concepts including professional practice, methodologies and theories, rules, regulations and requirements, and interprofessional collaboration.:
System Design Lifecycle (44 questions), which assesses the nurse’s role and knowledge in planning, analyzing, designing and building, testing, implementing, and monitoring, maintaining, supporting, and evaluating health information systems.:
Data Management and Healthcare Technology (36 questions), which covers data standards, data management, data analysis, application, and transformation, and hardware, software, and peripherals.:
For a comprehensive breakdown of the exam content, please view the BoardCerts resources page, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
NI-BC Exam Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the NI-BC exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Licensure: Hold a current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in a U.S. state or territory, or the legally recognized equivalent in another country.
- Experience: Have equivalent of at least two years of full-time RN practice.
- Clinical Practice: Complete a minimum of 2,000 hours in informatics nursing within the last three years or a minimum of 1,000 hours in informatics nursing in the last 3 years and a minimum of 12 semester hours of academic credit graduate-level of informatics nursing program, or complete a graduate program in informatics nursing with a minimum of 200 hours of faculty-supervised practicum.
- Continuing Education: Obtain 30 hours of continuing education in informatics nursing over the past three years.
NI-BC Application Process
- Online Application: Begin by accessing the application portal on the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) website.
- Application Submission: Complete the online application by providing all required personal, educational, and professional details. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria before submitting. The application review process typically takes 1 to 5 weeks, depending on documentation and volume.
- Scheduling the Exam: Once approved, you'll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter with instructions to schedule your exam through Prometric within a 120-day window.
- Preparation: Use resources, such as the BoardCerts NI-BC question bank to prepare. These materials align with the official exam blueprint and simulate the format and complexity of the actual exam.
NI-BC Exam Dates and Costs
- Application Window: The NI-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.
NI-BC Exam Format
- Number of Questions: The Informatics Nursing Certification (NI-BC) exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 125 are scored, and 25 are unscored pretest questions used for future test development.
- Exam Response Options: Each question offers four response options (A, B, C, D).
- Testing Options: The exam is taken, in-person, at a Prometric test center.
- Time Allotted: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam.
Passing Score for NI-BC
Difficulty Level: The NI-BC exam is considered challenging, with an average pass rate of 66%.
Passing Score: The exam utilizes a criterion-referenced scoring system, meaning the passing score is based on predetermined criteria. The candidate must score equal to or greater than the minimum passing score. The ANCC exams are reported on a scale with a maximum possible score of 500 where the minimum passing score is 350.
Exam Statistics: Detailed statistics, including annual pass rates and the number of candidates tested, are available on the ANCC's Exam Statistics webpage.
Score Reporting: The candidates can view their results online and print a copy at the center after their test is completed, through the Prometric Report Validation Portal.
NI-BC Exam Proctoring
Proctoring Organization: The NI-BC certification exam is administered by the ANCC in collaboration with Prometric.
Testing Options: The candidates can schedule to take the exam at a test center at a time and place feasible to them at the Prometric Registration website.
NI-BC Preparation and Resources
At BoardCerts, we carefully design our NI-BC practice questions to align with the ANCC Informatics Nursing exam blueprint, ensuring every question reflects the scope, depth, and format of the official test. Our content is built using the same references used in the actual exam, offering a focused and reliable preparation experience.
- Topics on Exam: Review the official ANCC Informatics Nursing Test Content Outline, which covers domains such as foundations of practice, system life cycle, data management, and quality and safety. This blueprint can be found here Preparation and Resources.
- Review Course: Consider enrolling in a structured review course, such as the one offered by ANCC to strengthen your foundation in Informatics Nursing.
- Question Bank: Use the BoardCerts NI-BC Question Bank, evaluated by experienced informatics nurse specialists. Our bank offers rigorous, exam-relevant practice questions, in-depth rationales, and predictor exams that simulate the NI-BC exam format to help you assess your readiness with confidence.
NI-BC Certification Renewal
The Informatics Nursing (NI-BC) certification is valid for five years. To maintain your board certification, you must complete the following steps:
- Professional Development Assessment (PDA): At the start of your renewal cycle, complete the ANCC’s PDA to identify targeted areas for continued professional growth within the informatics specialty.
- Continuing Education (CE) Hours: Based on your personalized plan from the PDA, earn 75 contact hours of continuing education. Additional hours may be required depending on your selected renewal categories.
- Professional Development Categories: You will be required to complete at least one of the 8 professional development categories which are: CE hours, Academic Credits, Presentations, EBP, QI Project, Publication or Research, Preceptor Hours, Professional Service, Practice Hours, and Test or Portfolio.
- Renewal Application: Submit your renewal application via the ANCC Certification Portal before your expiration date. Be sure to upload documentation of all completed CE activities and any other requirements specific to your renewal path. For more details, visit the ANCC Certification Renewal page.
NI-BC Practice Questions
Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of NI-BC exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. The BoardCerts NI-BC Question Bank offers high-quality, exam-focused sample questions that align with the NI-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 NI-BC exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
