Every CE requirement verified against official state nursing board sources. How RenewRN verifies the data →
Every CE requirement verified against official state nursing board sources. How RenewRN verifies the data →
Field guide · Certifications
Nursing Informatics · ANCC · Last reviewed
Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources
NI-BC is the recognized credential for nursing informatics, one of nursing's fastest-growing off-the-bedside paths. Note the name: ANCC renamed it from RN-BC to NI-BC. Here is the exam, who qualifies, a realistic study plan, and how renewal works.
| Exam | ANCC Informatics Nursing certification (credential: NI-BC, formerly RN-BC) |
| Format | 150 questions (125 scored, 25 unscored pretest); computer-based via Prometric |
| Time | 3 hours |
| Passing standard | Scaled score (maximum 500); 350 required to pass |
| Pass rate | 65% first-time (2025; 229 of 352 first-time test-takers passed) |
| Exam fee | $295 ANA member, $340 ANIA member, $395 non-member (includes a $140 non-refundable administrative fee) |
| Recertification | Every 5 years, by maintaining licensure and meeting ANCC's renewal requirements |
Exam specifications and fees change, so always confirm current details with ANCC before registering.
The NI-BC certifies expertise in nursing informatics, the discipline that integrates nursing, information, and analytics to support patients and clinicians. It is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the credential awarded is Nursing Informatics-Board Certified (NI-BC), formerly RN-BC. It pairs with a move into an informatics-nurse role; this guide covers the exam, who qualifies, an efficient study plan, fees, and renewal.
~60%
of nurses got no direct pay bump for certifying
$1-2/hr (~$2,000-4,000/yr full-time)
typical raise when employers do pay
$1,000-2,000 one-time at some employers
one-time bonus where offered
Here is the honest framing: for nursing informatics, the income change is mostly the move off the bedside into an informatics-nurse role, not the credential by itself. Informatics roles often pay more than bedside nursing, but that reflects the role and its market, not the NI-BC alone. In a large national survey, about 60% of nurses got no direct pay increase for a certification; when it does pay, it is typically a differential set by your employer. Many informatics job postings prefer or require NI-BC, so it is often a gate to the role. Confirm the role and pay with the employer before assuming a raise.
When it's worth it anyway
Verified June 21, 2026. Sources:Medscape RN/LPN Compensation Report (about 60% received no reward for certification)
See how this ranks on nurse pay
ANCC Review Manual & ANIA Resources
Review manual / booksThe ANCC Informatics Nursing review and resource manual plus ANIA review materials, aligned to the exam content. (Listed for completeness; no affiliate relationship.)
Mometrix NI-BC Study Guide
Self-paced study guide & practice materialsMometrix's self-paced Secrets study guide and practice materials to shore up weak areas before test day.
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, RenewRN may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Courses listed without a link are included for completeness; we have no affiliate relationship with them.
Nursing Informatics Review Manual (ANCC)
The ANCC-published informatics nursing review, blueprint-matched.
Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge
A standard nursing informatics text covering the exam's foundational content.
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NI-BC (ANCC) is the nursing-specific informatics credential and is the one most informatics nurses pursue. For a broader, multi-disciplinary health-IT credential, the CPHIMS (from HIMSS) is an alternative aimed at health-information and management-systems professionals across disciplines. Choose NI-BC to certify nursing informatics practice specifically.
ANCC certification is valid for 5 years. You renew by maintaining your RN license and meeting the renewal requirements in effect at the time (continuing-education and professional-development categories), and you may apply up to a year before expiration. Confirm the current renewal categories in the ANCC renewal requirements.
How CE counts toward ANCC renewal
75 contact hours every 5 years
At least 60 of the 75 hours must be 'formally approved', from any accredited CNE provider/approver, AMA PRA Category 1 (CME), or Joint Accreditation. It does NOT have to be ANCC-approved. The remaining ~15 may come from other role-relevant CE.
Watch out: Effective Jan 14 2026, hours must be earned within your current 5-year cycle and be directly relevant to your role/specialty; a repeat course never counts twice.
ANCC renewal handbook↗ · Check whether a specific course counts
Enter what you have so far and see exactly what's left for this 5-year cycle. This is an estimate. Nothing is saved or sent.
Verified June 16, 2026. Always confirm current requirements with ANCC.ANCC renewal handbook
Recertifying with CE hours? These answers cover what counts toward renewal, how long to keep certificates, and more.
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