AOCNP Certification: Overview and FAQ
The Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) certification is a professional credential for nurse practitioners (NPs) specializing in oncology. With over 1.5 million new cancer diagnoses each year and more than half a million lives lost to the disease, skilled oncology specialists play a critical role in patient care.
Ready to learn how to attain this prestigious credential? Here’s your guide to all the essentials, including eligibility, application steps, exam information, and helpful study resources.
AOCNP Certification: Snapshot
- AOCNP meaning: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner
- Eligibility: You must hold a current, unrestricted RN license, graduate from an accredited NP program, meet the required practice hours (500 or 1,000 depending on your degree), and complete a graduate-level course (2 credits) or 30 hours of continuing education in oncology within the past 5 years.
- Preparation: Study the topics listed in the content outline, review the list of references, and test your knowledge with practice questions.
- Application process: Create an online account, submit the exam application form, and wait for authorization to test.
- Exam: The test will consist of 165 questions, and you’ll have 3 hours to answer them.
- Cost: The exam fee is $420.
- Renewal: You’ll need to renew your certification every 4 years.
What Is AOCNP Certification?
AOCNP is a professional credential designed for oncology NPs. Offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC), this certification validates an NP’s ability to provide comprehensive cancer care, including diagnosis, treatment, symptom management, and patient education.
To earn this specialized credential, NPs must meet eligibility requirements and pass a comprehensive exam that focuses on five key areas of oncology care:
| Knowledge area | Examples of topics |
|---|---|
| Care continuum |
|
| Cancer treatment and supportive care |
|
| Oncologic emergencies |
|
| Psychosocial issues |
|
| Professional practice and roles of the APRN |
|
6 Steps to Get Certified as an Advanced Oncology NP
Ready to obtain this specialized certification? Here’s a straightforward guide to help you earn this credential.
Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements
To sit for the exam, you must meet the eligibility requirements — think of them as your pre-application checklist. There are two pathways to qualify:
| Pathway 1 | Pathway 2 |
|---|---|
| Hold an active, unencumbered RN license in the U.S., its territories, or Canada. | Hold an active, unencumbered RN license in the U.S., its territories, or Canada. |
| Earn a graduate degree from an accredited NP program with an oncology concentration. | Earn a graduate degree from an accredited NP program with an adult (primary or acute), family (across the lifespan), gerontology, or women’s health concentration. |
| Acquire 500 hours of supervised clinical practice as an adult oncology NP within the past 5 years. | Acquire 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice as an adult oncology NP within the past 5 years. |
| Complete a graduate-level course (at least 2 credits) or 30 hours of continuing education in oncology care within the past 5 years. | Complete a graduate-level course (at least 2 credits) or 30 hours of continuing education in oncology care within the past 5 years. |
Step 2: Prepare for the Exam
Once you’re eligible, it’s time to start studying. The ONCC has some great resources to guide you. Here’s a list of tools to add to your study arsenal:
- AOCNP review course
- AOCNP practice test (available through your account)
- Test registration manual
- Detailed content outline
- List of references
- AOCNP review book
- Sample test questions
- Role study summary
Need a complete study package? Check out the review bundle that includes seven online courses, the newest edition of the Advanced Oncology Nursing Certification Review and Resource Manual, and a posttest to help you sharpen your skills.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Next, set up an online ONCC account, fill in the application for your certification type, and upload the necessary documents confirming your eligibility. Your application review will take about two weeks, and once approved, you’ll receive authorization to test. Then, you’ll have 90 days to schedule and take the exam at a PSI test center in the U.S., its territories, or Canada.
Step 4: Pay the Exam Fee
Once your application is submitted, you’ll need to complete your payment to finalize the registration. The certification fee is $420, but if you’re a member of Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) or Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON), you can save $120 with a special discount.
Step 5: Pass the Exam
You’ve put in the work — now it’s time to test what you know. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect on exam day:
- You’ll have 3 hours to complete the test.
- You’ll answer 165 multiple-choice questions (125 scored, 40 unscored).
- You’ll need a passing score of at least 55 on a scale of 25 to 75.
- Your results will say “pass” if you succeed or show a numeric score and performance summary if you don’t.
- Your personalized certificate will arrive about 8 weeks after scores are reported.
Step 6: Meet AOCNP Renewal Requirements
To keep your certification up to date, renewal is required every four years. As with the initial certification, you’ll need to meet certain requirements first. Here’s what you’ll need to be eligible:
- Hold a current AOCNP certification.
- Maintain an active RN license.
- Complete at least 1,000 hours of practice as an adult oncology nurse practitioner within the past 4 years.
Once you qualify, you’ll need to meet one of the following renewal pathways:
- Option 1: Complete the required practice hours and earn professional development points.
- Option 2: Complete the required practice hours and pass the certification exam.
- Option 3: Earn professional development points and pass the certification exam.
Frequently Asked Questions: AOCNP Certification
What is the passing score for the AOCNP exam?
The majority of nurses pass the certification exam on their first attempt. The AOCNP pass rate is 83%, showing that with proper study, there is a high chance of earning this credential.
What accreditation does this credential hold?
All ONCC certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which is the leading authority for accredited certification programs in the U.S.
What is a typical AOCNP salary?
The typical salary for an oncology NP in the U.S. is about $115,000 a year. However, factors such as your education, years of experience, the type of facility you work at, and your salary negotiation skills can all influence this figure.
Location plays a significant role as well, with some states offering higher salaries than others. If you’re aiming for a higher income, consider applying to jobs in these states that pay NPs more:
How do I verify my certification?
ONCC provides an online certification verification tool. Simply enter your name, certification number, city, and state of practice, and the system will display your certification status — whether it’s active or expired — along with other relevant details.
What do I do if I fail the exam?
If you don’t pass on your first try, you can retake the test — but only once within a 90-day period. If you fail three times within three years, you’ll need to wait a year before you can retake the exam.
If you’re concerned about the possibility of failing, you might want to consider enrolling in the ONCC DoubleTake program. It costs $100 more but gives you a second chance to pass the exam if you don’t succeed on your first try.
What other study resources can help prepare for the exam?
Want to explore more study tools to enhance your prep game? Here are some additional resources to check out:
- Quizlet flashcards
- Mometrix practice tests
- Helpful apps, such as Pocket Prep and Evernote
Use your discretion when selecting study materials outside the ONCC’s official recommendations.
Related Certifications
Curious about other credential options? Check out these additional certifications to see which ones align with your career goals:
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (ACNP-BC)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (AGACNP-BC)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON)
- Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (CPNP-PC)
- Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS)
- Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (WHNP-BC)
Find Nursing Jobs That Match Your Passion and Skills
Whether or not you’re working toward AOCNP certification, IntelyCare can help you find quality nursing jobs that align with your career ambitions and desired lifestyle. Get our personalized job notifications and be the first to apply for best-fitting jobs.
