Professional Development Points are needed for candidates who are renewing certification by Option 1 (RN license + Practice Hours + Professional Development Points) or by Option 3 (RN license + Professional Development Points + Successful Testing).  Read below for more information about Professional Development Points.

2009 Deadline Dates for Option 1 Renewal Applications
September 15, 2009 – save $75
October 15, 2009 (full, non-discounted fee)

2009 Deadline Dates for Option 3 Renewal Applications
In addition to meeting the deadline for submission of ONC-PRO points (same as in option 1 above), candidates must meet the deadline to take the certification examination during the year in which their certification expires. The last deadline to register for an examination occurs in July.

Keeping Track of Your Professional Development Points
Computer-based logs:  Electronic logs for recording your professional development points can be created, saved, updated, and submitted to ONCC online. You can create your electronic logs at any time; however, you should not submit your logs until you apply for certification renewal.  Create or edit Electronic Logs

Paper logs: Hard copies of blank logs can be printed from this site. Please note, hard copy logs are intended to be completed by hand, and cannot be completed, saved, or submitted electronically. Download hard copies of blank logs (PDF).

How ONC-PRO Works
ONC-PRO requires the certification renewal candidate to accrue a minimum number of points by completing professional development activities in one or more categories, including: continuing nursing education, continuing medical education (CME), academic education, publications, presentations, precepting, or volunteer service. Candidates are not required to submit points in every category.

The Number of Points Required

• OCN^® renewal candidates - 100 points, at least 65 of which must be of oncology content
• CPON^® renewal candidates - 100 points, at least 80 of which must be of pediatric content. Of the 80 pediatric content points, at least 50 must be of pediatric oncology content.
• AOCN^®, AOCNP^®, and AOCNS^® renewal candidates - 125 points, 75 of which must be of oncology content.

Point Categories
Candidates may accrue points in any or all categories. However, there are restrictions on the points that may be submitted in the categories of CME and Precepting/Volunteer Service. A maximum of 50% of the required points may be submitted in the category of CME (50 points for OCN^® and CPON^®, 62.5 points for AOCN^®, AOCNP^®, and AOCNS^®. A maximum of 20% of the required points may be submitted in the categories of Precepting and Volunteer Service combined (20 points for OCN^® and CPON^®; 25 points for AOCN^®, AOCNP^®, and AOCNS^®.

Time Period for Points Accrual
Points may be earned beginning January 1 of the current certification period (provided those points were not submitted for a previous renewal). Points must be earned by the date the renewal application is submitted in the year renewal is due. For example, a nurse who is due to renew in 2009 may use points earned beginning January 1, 2005 (provided those points were not used for a previous renewal) through the date the application is submitted in 2009. The last date to accrue points or submit an application is October 15 in the year renewal is due.

The Application Process
ONC-PRO candidates must submit an application form, Logs (either electronic or as hard copies), and the renewal fee to ONCC by the application deadline date. Candidates will be sent email confirmation that their application has been received (candidates without email addresses will be sent confirmation of application receipt via US mail). Candidates should allow up to 12 weeks to be notified of approval of their application.

Audits of Applications
To ensure the integrity of the renewal process, ONCC will audit a percentage of renewal applications each year. Candidates whose applications are selected for audit will be notified and required to provide additional documentation.

ONCC suggests that candidates keep logs up-to-date by completing the appropriate log as points are earned. If using hard copy logs, please copy the forms before writing on them. Candidates should keep the originals to ensure that back-up is available, should a problem occur in the submission process.

Professional Development Categories and Points

Continuing Nursing Education
Continuing Medical Education
Academic Education
Publishing
Presentations
Precepting
Volunteer Leadership Service page

Applying for Renewal by ONC-PRO
Information about renewing certification is sent to certified nurses in the beginning (January-February) of the year they are due to renew their certification. Certified nurses who are planning to renew by Option 1 (ONC-PRO) should retain information about educational program attendance, CE certificates, copies of publications, and other information in anticipation of completing professional development logs.

Applying for Renewal by Option 2
Certified nurses who select to renew by testing must register and apply for a test by the respective test application deadline date. The test must be taken before the credential expires, or the candidate’s certification will lapse. Candidates who are planning to renew by testing should review the current Oncology Nursing Certification Test Bulletin for test dates and application deadlines.

Candidates Who Fail the Renewal Test May Not Renew by Option 1
Candidates who choose to renew their certification by Option 2 (testing), and who do not attain a passing score on the test, may not renew their credential by Option 1 during the same renewal cycle. Candidates who elect to retest, and who do not pass the test, must take the test again prior to their certification expiration to renew their credential.

Candidates Who Are Denied Renewal by Option 1 May Retest
Those who apply for renewal through Option 1 and are denied renewal by ONCC due to insufficient points will not be granted a refund of the renewal fee. However, those who are denied renewal by Option 1 may apply to take the test during the next 12 months with payment of a $100 transfer fee, if they meet the test application deadline. ONCC cannot guarantee a decision to candidates on their renewal application in time to register for the test, unless the application is received at least three months prior to the test application deadline.

Candidates Who Are Renewing by Option 3 – ONC-PRO and Testing
Candidates who are using renewal Option 3 should submit both the application and completed ONC-PRO logs by the test deadline date for the test they plan to take.  Option 3 candidates must submit a test application and ONC-PRO logs at the same time.