New Subspecialty Certification:
1. Reproductive Health and Infertility
2. Obstetric Emergencies

NCC is pleased to debut two new subspecialty exams for those wishing to demonstrate their expertise in Reproductive Health and Infertility (RHI) and Obstetric Emergencies (OBE). Don't wait, be the first to earn your C-RHI or C-OBE certification. See below for dates of registration and testing.

Reproductive Health and Infertility

REGISTRATION FOR THE NEW REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND INFERTILITY (RHI) EXAMINATION OPENS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2025

RHI TESTING AT A COMPUTER TEST CENTER BEGINS MARCH 15, 2025.

The initial testing window for RHI will only be for 45 days. Those who register for the exam between February 1, 2025, and March 10, 2025, will be put in the first 45-day window that begins on March 15, 2025. The exam delivered during this time will have delayed scoring until enough candidates have completed the exam to allow for psychometric analysis of the exam results and completion of standard setting to use for pass/fail decision. The delay in scoring can take up to 60 days based on the number of those who test in the first 45 days.  
Starting March 11, 2025, all registrations will receive a 90-day testing window per policy. 90-day windows will start on May 15, 2025, or later based on the registration date.
 

All those who register during these time frames will be eligible for a second chance free
.  (See second chance details here).  All those who register between February 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025, will receive a second chance free.  If the first attempt at the examination is unsuccessful and registration is submitted within these dates the candidate will receive a second chance free as long as they signed in and registered for the same examination 45 days after failing the initial examination.  

SEE DETAILS FOR NEW EXAM DEVELOPMENT BELOW

Obstetric Emergencies

REGISTRATION FOR THE NEW OBSTETRIC EMERGENCY (OBE) EXAMINATION OPENS ON JUNE 1, 2025
OBE TESTING AT A COMPUTER TEST CENTER BEGINS July 5, 2025.

The initial testing window for OBE will only be for 45 days. Those who register for the exam between June 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025, will be put in the first 45-day window that begins on July 5, 2025. The exam delivered during this time will have delayed scoring until enough candidates have completed the exam to allow for psychometric analysis of the exam results. The delay in scoring can take up to 45 days based on the number of those who test in the first 45 days.  
Starting July 2, 2025, all registrations will receive a 90-day testing window per policy. 90-day windows will start on August 20, 2025, or later based on the registration date. 

All those who register during these time frames will be eligible for a second chance free
.  (See second chance details here). After those who initially took the examination have been scored the testing window will be 90 days. All those who register between June 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025, will receive a second chance free.  If the first attempt at the examination is unsuccessful and registration is submitted within these dates the candidate will receive a second chance free as long as they signed in and registered for the same examination 45 days after failing the initial examination.  

DETAILS FOR NEW EXAM DEVELOPMENT


WHY AN INTRODUCTORY TESTING PHASE?
Whenever a new exam is offered, questions have no statistical history because the exam has never been given before.  Statistics from actual test takers must be ascertained to gather vital statistical information on the item and total examination performance to make valid psychometric judgments on pass/fail determinations. A pass/fail status cannot be reported upon the completion of your examination until the overall exam performance data is collected and analyzed from all test takers who test during your same testing window. 

IT IS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE TO BE FIRST
Since the test questions and exam have no psychometric (statistical) history, results from all test-takers in the Introductory testing phase and the Secondary exam phase will be analyzed for psychometric soundness and performance before scoring.  Any question that does not meet the appropriate psychometric standards will be deleted from scoring and will not count toward or detract from an individual’s score.  This gives those who take the first test the advantage of the “benefit of the doubt” in determining pass/fail status.

SCORING OF RESULTS
All information is held until all candidates who registered have tested. After statistical analysis and review are completed, results will be placed in the accounts of all those who took the test during this time. An email will be sent notifying you that your results are available.  In addition, those who passed the examination will receive a certificate and pin in the mail.  Please make sure your mailing address is correct in your account.  If scoring is delayed, for any reason, beyond the 60 days, you will be sent updates on the expected release dates for the pass/fail results. The exam results will be held until enough candidates have tested so statistical analysis of the data can be completed.

WHERE
The examinations will be delivered via computer at one of the over 250 PSI Assessment Centers located throughout the United States. Exams will be administered by appointment and when you sign in to your account to schedule, you can pick your testing time based on the specific hours and days of operation for the test center you choose. PSI Assessment Centers are typically located in H&R Block offices. See the PSI website, PSI TEST CENTERS, for more information and find how close a site is to you. Subspecialty exams (RHI and OBE) are 2 hours long. Please review the NCC Guide to Testing Methods.

FEES
The examination fee is $210, which includes a nonrefundable $50 application fee submission cost. Individuals can send in registration applications at any time

  • The examination fee must be paid when submitting the application.
  • There is a $30 reprocessing fee for applications submitted with missing incomplete or incorrect information. Please make sure your license information is correct and your license has not expired.
  • Make sure your name on your ID for testing matches your name on your registration. See all the detailed information in the Registration catalogs. 
  • After an exam is purchased, there is a 6-hour window to cancel the order.  The order can be canceled by logging into the account and clicking on "Cancel Application" found under the new certification. Only you can cancel the application and you must meet the 6-hour window. 
  • After 6 hours, you must wait to see if you are eligible or ineligible.  If you are ineligible you will receive a refund of all but the $50.00 application fee. If you are eligible you still have an option to submit an online Exam Withdrawal Request for a partial refund.
  • All applications must be submitted online at the NCC website.
  • All applications are reviewed for eligibility
  • It can take up to two weeks to determine eligibility
  • Once the application is approved, you will be emailed an eligibility letter providing a 45-day eligibility window to schedule and take your examination if you are in the first group. It will provide you with scheduling information and you can schedule directly from your account after signing in. You must test within these 45 days so it is important to set up to test as soon as you receive your eligibility letter. The sooner you sign up to take the exam during the initial examination phase, the sooner the tests can be reviewed and scored.
  • Payment can be made by credit card or check routing.
  • Please review the examination registration catalogs. The examination registration catalog lists additional fees that may apply. 

SECOND CHANCE FREE PROMOTION

For those who registered during the Second Chance Free promotion time frame, if you are unsuccessful in achieving certification on your first examination attempt, you can apply to retake the same NCC  subspecialty certification examination for a second attempt at certification for free.   You have one year from the date you failed the exam to register. You must be signed into your account and meet eligibility criteria, to retake the examination for free.  Please note, that there is a  45-day waiting period from the first examination attempt before you can register for your second attempt. It is important to review the full details of the second chance free promotion at "SECOND CHANCE FREE"

  • Offer applies to certification registrations submitted and approved between the date registration opened for the new examination and September 30, 2025.
  • Applies to NCC new subspecialty certifications (C-RHI and C-OBE)
  • Candidates must wait 45 days from the date they failed the exam, to register again.
  • Candidates must sign in to their account, submit another application for the same certification, and re-establish eligibility, to register.
  • Candidates who wish to claim this offer must submit their 2nd chance application within one year of the day the first exam was taken. After that time, the offer will no longer be valid. 
  • The promotion is not transferable to other certifications or other persons.
  • The exam can only be taken twice in a calendar year.
  • If an applicant files earlier than 45-days from the failed test date, the application will be denied.
  • If you are asked for payment you should abandon the registration and contact NCC to verify eligibility.  Those eligible for the second chance free promotion should not be asked for payment. You must be logged in to the NCC website when you register.  Candidates who register again and pay a registration fee will not receive a refund. Please see the information on the amount of refund with withdrawals.

ELIGIBILITY BY EXAM TYPE

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND INFERTILITY (C-RHI)
Subspecialty Exam Leading to C-RHI Certification
Complete details can be found at EXAM REGISTRATION CATALOG and CANDIDATE GUIDE

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Current/active/unencumbered licensure in the U.S. or Canada as a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse (NP, CNS or CNM), certified midwife, or physician assistant. Candidates will need to upload their license or a printout of the verification of their license that includes their name, license number, licensing state or province, type of license, and the date the license expires. 
  • No practice experience is required but it is recommended that you have a minimum of one year of experience caring for patients with reproductive health and infertility problems.
  • See details in the registration catalog.

CREDENTIAL: All those who pass the Reproductive Health and Infertility certification examination will be entitled to use the C-RHI credential.  Registration links will be posted when registration begins on February 11th and can be found at REGISTRATION.

Certified-Obstetric Emergencies (C-OBE)
ELIGIBILITY: Subspecialty Exam leading to C-OBE Certification
Complete details can be found at EXAM REGISTRATION CATALOG and CANDIDATE GUIDE

  • Current/active/unencumbered licensure in the U.S. or Canada as a physician (MD/DO), registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse (NP, CNS, CRNA or CNM), certified midwife, or physician assistant. Candidates will need to upload their license or a printout of the verification of their license that includes their name, license number, licensing state or province, type of license, and the date the license expires.
  • No practice experience is required but it is recommended that you have expertise in
    obstetrical and medical emergencies in pregnancy and postpartum for the best possibility of successfully completing the credentialing process. 
  • See details in the registration catalog.

CREDENTIAL: All those who pass the Obstetric Emergency certification examination will be entitled to use the credential C-OBE.  Registration links will be posted when registration begins on February 11th and can be found at REGISTRATION.

RHI Registration Link will be open on February 1, 2025. The link to OBE will not be available until June 1, 2025. 

RHI RegistrationOBE Registration

*OTHER THAN THE UNIQUE CHANGES TO EXAMINATION OUTLINED ABOVE,  ALL OTHER NCC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATED TO REGISTRATION AND TESTING APPLY. Read all policies carefully.