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Oncological Nurses

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

Some institutions may require certification as an oncology nurse. There are different types of certification available through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). For example, the oncology certified nurse examination is aimed at testing basic knowledge within the specialty of oncology nursing. The certified pediatric hematology oncology nurse examination tests knowledge in pediatric oncology. The advanced oncology certified nurse practitioner and advanced oncology certified clinical nurse specialist certifications are advanced certifications and test knowledge in advanced cancer nursing practices. Each specialty requires recertification. Contact the ONCC for more information.

All states and the District of Columbia require a license to practice nursing. To obtain a license, graduates of approved nursing schools must pass a national examination. Nurses may be licensed by more than one state. In some states, continuing education is a condition for license renewal. 

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