Welcome to the official MedicoExam syllabus guide for the NCC Board Certification as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner certification. This page delivers a clear, structured overview of the NCC NNP-BC exam, including key exam details, syllabus topics, and preparation references to support effective study planning. The NCC Neonatal Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (NNP-BC) is intended for professionals pursuing roles aligned with Nurse Practitioner Board certification, with assessment centered on applied competencies such as neonatal critical care, clinical assessment and diagnosis, neonatal systems management within real-world settings like neonatal intensive care units, hospitals, outpatient settings.
The syllabus outline below reflects the core domains and expectations defined by the official NCC certification framework and aligns with the cognitive and professional standards assessed in the NCC NNP-BC exam. Candidates can use this guide alongside official vendor resources and structured practice to align their preparation with current exam standards and professional expectations for neonatal nurse practitioners, advanced practice registered nurses, neonatal advanced practice nursing roles
NCC NNP-BC Exam Summary and Key Details
| Exam Name | NCC Board Certification as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner |
| Credential | NCC Neonatal Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (NNP-BC) |
| Vendor | National Certification Corporation (NCC) |
| Exam Code | NNP-BC » NCC NNP-BC Certification Practice Exam |
| Exam Delivery Mode | Computer testing at a test center or Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) |
| Exam Duration | 180 mins |
| Number of Questions | 175 |
| Passing Score | Pass/fail (Approximately 72%) |
| Exam Price | $325 which is composed of a $50 non-refundable application submission cost and a $275 testing fee. |
| Scheduling Window | 90-day eligibility window; exam must be scheduled within the first 30 days of that window. |
| Schedule Exam | National Certification Corporation (NCC) |
| Trainings/Resources |
- American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, 9th ed, AAP, 2025. - Blackburn, Maternal, Fetal, & Neonatal Physiology, 5th ed, Elsevier, 2018. - Bissinger, et al., Handbook of Neonatal Neurology, NCC, 2024 - Fanaroff, et al., Klaus & Fanaroff's Care of the High-Risk Neonate, Elsevier-Saunders, 2025. - Gardner, et al., Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care: An Interprofessional Approach, Elsevier, 2021. - Gleason, et al., Avery's Diseases of the Newborn, 11th ed, Elsevier, 2024. - Goldsmith, et al., Assisted Ventilation of the Neonate: An Evidence-Based Approach to Newborn Respiratory Care, Elsevier, 2022. - Gomella, Neonatology, 8th ed., Lange, 2020. - Janke, et al. Core Curriculum for Maternal-Newborn Nursing, 6th ed, Elsevier, 2023. - Jnah, et al. Fetal and Neonatal Physiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse, Springer, 2018. - Katzung, et al., Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, McGraw Hill, 2021. - Kenner, et al. Comprehensive Neonatal Nursing Care, Springer, 2019. - Koehn, A. R., Neonatal nurse practitioner certification intensive review: Fast facts and practice questions, 2nd ed. Springer Publishing Company, 2023. - MacDonald, et al., Atlas of Procedures in Neonatology, 6th ed, LWW, 2020. - Martin, et al., Fanaroff and Martin’s Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine: Diseases of the Fetus and Infant, 11th ed, Elsevier, 2025. - Polit, et al., Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice, LWW, 2021. - Resnik, et al., Creasy & Resnik’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Principles and Practice, 9th ed, Elsevier, 2022. - Simpson, et al., AWHONN’s Perinatal Nursing, 5th ed, Wolters Kluwer, 2021. - Taketomo, Pediatric and Neonatal Dosage Handbook, 28th ed, Lexi-comp, 2021. - Witt, et. al., Tappero and Honeyfield’s Physical Assessment of the Newborn, Springer, 2024. - Verklan, et al. Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing, Elsevier, 2021. - Volpe, et. al., Neurology of the Newborn, Elsevier, 2024. - Walsh, et al., Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care, Elsevier, 2022. |
| Sample Questions | NCC NNP-BC Exam Sample Questions |
| Recommended Practice | NCC NNP-BC Certification Practice Exam |
NCC NNP-BC Exam Syllabus Topics and Weighting
| Topic Areas | Topic Details, Courses, Books | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| General Assessment |
- Maternal History affecting the Newborn - Neonatal - Family Integration - Discharge Preparation and Follow-up Care |
15% |
| General Management |
- Thermoregulation - Resuscitation and Stabilization - Growth and Nutrition - Fluids and Electrolytes |
19% |
| Pharmacology |
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics - Common Drug Therapies |
9% |
| Embryology, Physiology, Pathophysiology and Systems Management |
- Cardiac |
54% |
| Professional Issues | - Including: (e.g. Legal, Ethical, Neonatal Safety and QI) | 3% |
The NCC NNP-BC certification exam is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and applied professional judgment in Nurse Practitioner Board certification. The exam evaluates competencies such as neonatal critical care, clinical assessment and diagnosis, neonatal systems management, ensuring candidates are prepared for real-world responsibilities as neonatal nurse practitioners, advanced practice registered nurses, neonatal advanced practice nursing roles working in settings such as neonatal intensive care units, hospitals, outpatient settings.
To prepare effectively for the NCC Board Certification as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner exam, candidates are encouraged to review official vendor materials, complete structured practice assessments, and gain hands-on experience relevant to their professional role.
