NEA-BC Certification: Overview and FAQ

If you’re an experienced nursing leader wanting to elevate your career, becoming a Board Certified Nurse Executive (NEA-BC) could help. This prestigious credential is designed for nurses who are already functioning in high-level leadership roles and wish to validate their expertise. Earning this certification solidifies your qualifications and demonstrates your commitment to excellence in nursing leadership.

Leadership can mean the difference between a hospital that thrives and one that struggles to meet goals. Great nursing leaders don’t just manage, they inspire — boosting nurse performance, job satisfaction, and quality of care. In today’s complex healthcare environment, strong leadership is more essential than ever.

What Is NEA-BC Certification?

Offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification recognizes nurses who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and competence in executive-level nursing leadership. It’s tailored for those in senior roles who are responsible for overseeing nursing practice, developing policies, and managing personnel and financial resources within healthcare organizations.

Here are some of the nursing professionals who may be interested in pursuing this credential:

• Chief nursing officers (CNOs)
• Directors of nursing
• Vice presidents of nursing
• Nurse executives
• Nursing administrators
• Nurse consultants
• Healthcare system nurse leaders
• Senior-level nurse managers

Why Get Board-Certified as an Advanced Nursing Executive?

There are several reasons to pursue this certification, especially for those in senior leadership roles:

• Professional credibility: Earning this credential shows dedication to nursing leadership and can help your peers see your expertise.
• Career advancement: Certification can open doors to higher-level positions, such as CNO or vice president of nursing.
• Increased earning potential: Senior leadership positions are some of the highest-paying roles for nurses, so this credential could help you earn more income as a nurse.
• Personal fulfillment: Achieving this certification can give you a deeper sense of pride and accomplishment.

NEA-BC Salary

Curious about how certification could impact your income? While there aren’t specific salary averages for nurses with this credential, nursing executives typically make between $77,000 and $110,000 per year. What you make with this certification will vary based on your experience, any other credentials you have, and where you live.

How to Get ANCC NEA-BC Certified: 4 Steps

Here are the basic steps to earning your Nursing Executive, Advanced Certification:

Step 1: Understand NEA-BC Requirements

First, understand the eligibility requirements. To take the exam, you must meet the following criteria:

• License: Have a valid and active RN license in the U.S. or the equivalent in another country.
• Education: Hold a graduate degree, with either your master’s or bachelor’s degree focused on nursing.
• Experience: Have at least 2,000 hours of experience in a nurse executive role within the past three years, with a focus on system-wide or organization-wide operations and outcomes.
• Continuing education: Obtain 30 hours of continuing education in administration, leadership, and management within the past 3 years.

While this credential is a more advanced level of the NE-BC credential, you don’t have to be NE-BC certified to apply for NEA-BC. Meaning, you can earn this certification even if it’s your first one.

Step 2: Apply for the Exam

Once you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply to take the exam through the ANCC website. You’ll need to create an account, complete the application form, and submit education verification documents. This includes having your university send final transcripts to ANCC.

You’ll also need to pay the exam fee, which is as follows:

• American Nurses Association (ANA) members: $295
• Non-ANA members: $395

Step 3: Take the NEA-BC Exam

Once your application is approved, you’ll receive confirmation and you can schedule your exam through Prometric. You’ll use your new ANCC ID to locate a testing center, schedule, and confirm your exam time. This test includes 150 questions, of which 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest questions. You’ll have three hours to complete the exam.

Looking for an NEA-BC study guide? Review the ANCC’s exam content outline to learn more about what the exam covers. Topics include:

• Leadership
• Quality and safety
• Human capital management
• Healthcare delivery

If you’re not sure you’re sufficiently prepared, ANCC offers an NEA-BC practice test, along with sample questions and answers. And if you’re seeking more structure, the ANCC’s interactive online course can help you arrive on test day feeling more confident.

Step 4: Maintain Your Certification

Once you pass the exam, you’ll receive your official certification and can begin displaying it along with your other credentials. ANCC credentials are valid for five years, and to renew this one, you must complete or maintain the following:

• License: A current, valid RN or APRN license.
• Continuing education: Earn at least 75 hours of continuing education (CE) in nursing leadership topics over the 5 year period.
• Professional development: Participate in any of the ANCC’s 8 renewal categories:
  • Continuing education
  • Academic credits
  • Presentations
  • Evidence-based practice (EBP), quality improvement (QI), publication, or research project
  • Preceptor hours
  • Professional service
  • Practice hours
  • Test or portfolio
• Recertification application: Submit your recertification application and pay the associated fee before your certification expires. Here are the renewal fees:
  • ANA members: $250
  • Non-ANA members: $350

Nurse Executive, Advanced Board Certification FAQs

Do I need a master’s degree to get board-certified as an advanced nurse executive?

Yes, the ANCC requires a graduate-level degree before you can take the exam. Not sure where to start? Check out some of the top master’s degrees for nurses.

How hard is the Advanced Nurse Executive Board Certification exam?

How difficult you find the test will depend on your level of preparation, but 75% of test takers pass on the first try. Use the ANCC’s prep resources to give yourself the best chance of passing.

What’s the difference between the Nurse Executive Advanced Certification and NE-BC?

Both certifications demonstrate leadership and management expertise, but they cater to nurses at different levels of experience and responsibility. The NEA-BC is more appropriate for nurses in executive-level roles, and the NE-BC is tailored for those in managerial or supervisory positions in individual units or divisions.

Related Certifications

• Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC)
• Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
• Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
• Certified Healthcare Administrative Professional (CHAP)
• Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE)

Find Nursing Leadership Roles

Whether you’ve completed your NEA-BC credential or not, IntelyCare is here to help with your next job search. We have roles for nursing leaders across acute and post-acute care areas. Learn more when you sign up for job notifications.