Radiation Oncology Certified Nurse (ROCN™)
Radiation Oncology Certified Nurse (ROCN™) certification is for oncology nurses who specialize in providing care for adult or pediatric patients with cancer undergoing radiation therapy. This certification ensures that the nurse has knowledge and skills related to the use of radiation in cancer treatment.
ROCN™ Beta Test Registration is Closed.
ONCC will offer the ROCN™ Beta examination February 2 - March 31, 2026. Following the exam, the test items will be analyzed to ensure they accurately measure the intended knowledge and set the passing score. Test scores will be released approximately 10-12 weeks after the end of the examination period.
Registration for the ROCN™ Beta examination was limited to the first 150 applicants.
Determining if you are eligible
- Active License
A current, active, unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the US, its territories or Canada at the time of application and examination, and - 2 years Experience
a minimum of two years (24 months) of experience as an RN within four years (48 months) prior to application, and
- 2,000 Hours of Practice
A minimum of 2,000 hours of radiation oncology nursing practice within the four years (48 months) prior to application, and - Minimum 10 Contact Hours
Completed a minimum of 10 contact hours of nursing continuing education in radiation oncology nursing or an academic elective in radiation oncology nursing within three years (36 months) prior to application. The contact hours must have been provided or formally approved by an acceptable accredited provider or approver of continuing nursing education (CNE) or nursing continuing professional development (NCPD). Up to five (50%) of the 10 required oncology nursing contact hours may be accredited continuing medical education (CME) or continuing pharmacy education (CPE) in radiation. Continuing education accredited via Joint Accreditation/Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) must specify hours awarded by ANCC, ACCME, or ACPE, to be accepted by ONCC.
Nursing Practice
Nursing practice may be work experience that is direct and/or indirect patient care in clinical practice, nursing administration, education, research, or consultation in the specialty represented by the credential. The position must be one that requires a Registered Nurse/Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (RN/APRN). A position that may be filled by another licensed care provider will qualify as nursing practice so long as RN/APRN is included among the licensed care providers who can fill the role.
ONCC will request a job description when the position title does not clearly indicate a nursing role. This documentation must be an official copy from the employer, on employer letterhead, bearing the company logo or otherwise verified, and must state the name of the position and that the position requires it be filled by an RN/APRN among other licensure types. Proper verification of acceptable nursing practice upholds the integrity of all certifications and credentials awarded by ONCC, including ensuring that all candidates meet established eligibility criteria.
Effective January 1, 2026
About the Exam
The ROCN™ test is based on the ROCN™ Test Content Outline (Test Blueprint). The Test Content Outline is based on the results of the role delineation study of radiation therapy completed in 2023. The ROCN™ Test Content Outline is composed of eight major subject areas, each with a percentage assigned to it. Each major subject area is represented in every test with the appropriate percentage of questions. However, not all sub-areas are included on every form of the test.
The ROCN™ Test consists of 165 multiple-choice questions (a question or incomplete statement followed by four answers or completions). Of those, 125 questions count toward the candidate's score and 40 are “pretest” or experimental questions. Candidates do not know which questions are scored and which are pretest. To determine the number of scored questions from each subject area, multiply the appropriate percentage by 125.
*Please note: Same day test results will not be available to candidates who participate in beta testing.
