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Exam Overview
The Maternal Newborn Nursing examination is a computer-based, criterion-referenced test developed by the National Certification Corporation (NCC), the nonprofit certifying body for obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing specialties. It measures specialty knowledge, and the application of that knowledge, for registered nurses who care for the childbearing family from birth to six weeks in hospital or outpatient settings.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Credential earned | RNC-MNN® (Registered Nurse Certified, Maternal Newborn Nursing) |
| Administered by | National Certification Corporation (NCC) |
| Total questions | 175 (150 scored + 25 unscored pretest items) |
| Testing time | 3 hours |
| Question format | Single best answer: a stem and three options (one correct answer, two distractors) |
| Scoring | Criterion-referenced pass/fail standard set by an expert content team; no fixed percentage |
| Delivery | Computer-based testing at a test center or by live remote proctoring (LRP) |
| Results | Not given at the end of testing; the pass/fail notice and score report are posted to the candidate's NCC account |
| Credential maintenance | Every 3 years through NCC's Continuing Competency Assessment and individualized education plan |
Content Outline
The 150 scored questions are distributed across five categories. Pretest questions are mixed throughout the exam and are not identified, so answer every item as if it counts.
| Category | Weight | Subtopics tested |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy, Birth Risk Factors and Complications | 7% (≈10 Q) | Antenatal factors (maternal health, age, nutrition, obstetric history, psychosocial and cultural issues, infertility, physiologic changes and labs, antepartum complications, fetal assessment, obesity and bariatric surgery); intrapartum factors (fetal heart rate patterns, cord gases, labor medications, labor complications, methods of delivery, delayed cord clamping) |
| Maternal Postpartum Assessment, Management, and Education | 26% (≈39 Q) | Physiologic changes and physical assessment; comprehensive postpartum care, common medications, common problems, and patient education; psychosocial and ethical issues; lactation, newborn feeding, and nutrition |
| Newborn Assessment and Management | 20% (≈30 Q) | Transition to extrauterine life and thermoregulation; physical and gestational age assessment; newborn care, screening, medications, and family education; resuscitation and stabilization |
| Maternal Postpartum Complications | 25% (≈37 Q) | Hematologic (hemorrhage, VTE, DIC, shock); cardiopulmonary (hypertensive disorders, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary edema, embolism, stroke); infection and sepsis; diabetes; perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and substance use |
| Newborn Complications | 22% (≈33 Q) | Cardiovascular and respiratory; neurologic and gastrointestinal; hematologic; infectious disease; genetic, metabolic, and endocrine |
Eligibility Requirements
To sit for the examination, a candidate must meet all of the following when applying:
- Hold a current, active, unencumbered RN license in the United States or Canada.
- Have 24 months of specialty experience as a U.S. or Canadian RN, comprising a minimum of 2,000 hours in maternal newborn care.
- Have been employed in the specialty at some time within the last 24 months.
Fees and Testing Options
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Examination fee | $325 (includes a $50 non-refundable application fee) |
| Change request (testing window, method, or location) | $125 |
| Refund on withdrawal | $160 of the fee paid |
| Hand-score request | $55 |
Candidates choose either a computer testing center or live remote proctoring, which is scheduled by appointment and requires a private room, a compatible computer with webcam, and a stable internet connection. Fees and policies are set by NCC and can change, so confirm them in the current candidate guide when you apply.
Scoring, Results, and Retesting
- NCC exams are criterion-referenced: the passing standard is a predetermined ability level established by the content team, and scores are equated across exam forms. There is no fixed percentage required to pass.
- No results are provided at the end of testing. A pass/fail notice and a score report appear in the NCC account; the report describes performance in each category as Very Weak, Weak, Average, Strong, or Very Strong.
- Candidates who do not pass may reapply 45 days after the test date with a new application and full fee, and may take the same NCC exam no more than twice in a calendar year.
Maintaining the Credential
The RNC-MNN credential is maintained every 3 years. Each cycle begins with NCC's Continuing Competency Assessment, which generates an individualized education plan; the required continuing education is then completed in the specified content areas before the maintenance application is submitted. Applications are subject to random audit.
Why the Credential Matters
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