Welcome to the official MedicoExam syllabus guide for the NCC RNC Certification for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing certification. This page delivers a clear, structured overview of the NCC RNC-NIC exam, including key exam details, syllabus topics, and preparation references to support effective study planning. The NCC Registered Nurse Certified in Neonatal Intensive Care (RNC-NIC) is intended for professionals pursuing roles aligned with Core certification, with assessment centered on applied competencies such as Neonatal assessment, Critical care management, Clinical decision-making within real-world settings like Neonatal intensive care units, Hospitals, Perinatal care 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 RNC-NIC 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 nurses, Registered nurses, Critical care nurses and related roles
NCC RNC-NIC Exam Summary and Key Details
| Exam Name | NCC RNC Certification for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing |
| Credential | NCC Registered Nurse Certified in Neonatal Intensive Care (RNC-NIC) |
| Vendor | National Certification Corporation (NCC) |
| Exam Code | RNC-NIC » NCC RNC-NIC Certification Practice Exam |
| Exam Delivery Mode | Computer-based testing (CBT) at testing centers or remote proctoring |
| Exam Duration | 180 mins |
| Number of Questions | 175 (150 Scored Items / 25 Pretest Items) |
| 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 testing window after application approval |
| Schedule Exam | National Certification Corporation (NCC) |
| Trainings/Resources |
- American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, 9th ed, AAP, 2025 - Bissinger, et al., Golden Hours, NCC, 2019. - Bissinger, et al., Handbook of Neonatal Neurology, NCC, 2024 - Blackburn, Maternal, Fetal, & Neonatal Physiology, Elsevier, 2018. - 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, 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. - Guido, Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing, Pearson, 2020 - Lockwood, et al., Creasy & Resnik’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Principles and Practice, Elsevier, 2024. - Martin, et al. Fanaroff and Martin’s Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine: Diseases of the Fetus and Infant, Elsevier, 2025. - Polit, et al., Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice, LWW, 2021. - Simpson, et al., AWHONN’s Perinatal Nursing, 5th ed, Wolters Kluwer, 2021. - Stark, et al., Cloherty and Stark’s Manual of Neonatal Care 9th ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2022. - Taketomo, Pediatric and Neonatal Dosage Handbook, 30th ed, Lexi-comp, 2023 - 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, 2025. - Walsh, et al., Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care, Elsevier, 2019. |
| Sample Questions | NCC RNC-NIC Exam Sample Questions |
| Recommended Practice | NCC RNC-NIC Certification Practice Exam |
NCC RNC-NIC Exam Syllabus Topics and Weighting
| Topic Areas | Topic Details, Courses, Books | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| General Assessment |
- Antepartum Risk Factors and Birth History - Physical and Gestational Age Assessment |
9% |
| General Management |
- Resuscitation and Stabilization - Fluids, Electrolytes, and Glucose Homeostasis - Nutrition and Feeding - Oxygenation, Ventilation and Acid Base Homeostasis - Thermoregulation and Integumentary - Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics - Neuroprotective and Neurodevelopmental Care |
39% |
| Assess & Manage Pathophysiologic State |
- Cardiovascular - Respiratory - Gastrointestinal/Genitourinary - Hematopoietic - Neurological/Neuromuscular/Musculoskeletal - Genetic, Metabolic and Endocrine - Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat - Infection and Immunology |
44% |
| Psychosocial Support | - Discharge Management, Family Centered Care, Grieving, Palliative Care, Mental Health | 5% |
| Professional Issues | - including: Evidence-Based Practice, Legal/Ethical, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement | 3% |
The NCC RNC-NIC certification exam is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and applied professional judgment in Core certification. The exam evaluates competencies such as Neonatal assessment, Critical care management, Clinical decision-making, ensuring candidates are prepared for real-world responsibilities as Neonatal nurses, Registered nurses, Critical care nurses and related roles working in settings such as Neonatal intensive care units, Hospitals, Perinatal care settings.
To prepare effectively for the NCC RNC Certification for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing exam, candidates are encouraged to review official vendor materials, complete structured practice assessments, and gain hands-on experience relevant to their professional role.
