Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
Q: What does NMCAB stand for?
A: NMCAB is the National Medical Certification and Accreditation Board. We provide Nationally Accredited & Certified (NAC™) credentials across 41 healthcare roles, ensuring professionals meet validated, nationally recognized standards.
Q: What makes NMCAB different from other certification boards?
A: NMCAB is the only board that:
- Publishes full job analyses and exam blueprints for transparency.
- Offers a public registry + job board connecting credentialed professionals with employers.
- Has a uniform renewal standard (200 work hours or 20 CEUs every 2 years).
- Provides the broadest scope of credentials (41 certifications across clinical, diagnostic, surgical, dental, lab, pharmacy, and administrative roles).
Q: Are NMCAB credentials nationally recognized?
A: Yes. NMCAB aligns with ISO/IEC 17024 international standards for credentialing bodies, ensuring exams and renewals are valid, transparent, and defensible.
Candidate Questions
Q: How do I become eligible for an exam?
A: You must meet at least one eligibility pathway:
- Completion of an approved training program
- Minimum 200 verified work hours in the role
- Combination of education + experience
- Prior credential in a related field
- Specialty prerequisites (e.g., Phlebotomy before Pediatric Phlebotomy)
See the Eligibility page for full details.
Q: How do I register for an exam?
A: Visit our Register page, log in to your account, select your credential, upload documentation, and pay the exam fee.
Q: How long is my credential valid?
A: All credentials are valid for two years, after which you must renew by either:
- Documenting 200 verified work hours, or
- Completing 20 CEUs (continuing education units).
Q: What happens if my credential expires?
A: You have a 30-day grace period with a late fee. After that, reinstatement may require retesting.
Employer Questions
Q: How do I verify a candidate’s credential?
A: Employers can search the NMCAB Registry to instantly verify credentials. All listings show credential status (active, expired, or pending renewal).
Q: Can I post jobs for credentialed professionals?
A: Yes. Employers can use the NMCAB Job Board to post openings requiring NAC™ credentials and search for candidates by credential and location.
Q: Do you partner directly with employers?
A: Yes. Employers can access bulk exam registrations, on-site testing, and custom workforce credentialing partnerships. Visit our Employers page for details.
School & Training Program Questions
Q: How can schools partner with NMCAB?
A: Schools can align curricula with NMCAB’s job analyses and exam blueprints, ensuring graduates are credential-ready. Visit our Schools page to learn more.
Q: Can students take the exam on campus?
A: Yes. Schools may host on-site proctored exams or allow students to test via remote proctoring.
Q: Do you provide resources for instructors?
A: Yes. NMCAB partners receive curriculum alignment guides, sample exam items, and access to teaching toolkits.
Renewal Questions
Q: How do I renew my credential?
A: Log into your NMCAB account, submit renewal documentation (200 hrs or 20 CEUs), complete the ethics attestation, and pay the renewal fee.
Q: What qualifies as CEUs?
A: CEUs must be directly related to the credentialed role (e.g., clinical training, compliance, patient safety, advanced techniques). General education not related to healthcare practice will not count.
Q: Can I combine work hours and CEUs?
A: No. You must complete either 200 work hours OR 20 CEUs — hybrid renewal is not accepted.
Registry & Verification Questions
Q: Is the registry public?
A: Yes. Employers and the public can verify credential holders via the Registry. Candidates choose whether their profiles are public or private.
Q: What information is displayed in the registry?
A: Candidate name, credential(s), credential status (active/expired), original certification date, and renewal date.
Compliance & Standards Questions
Q: How does NMCAB ensure exam fairness?
A: Exams are based on formal job analysis, validated by subject matter experts, employers, and educators. Exam content is reviewed and updated every 3–5 years.
Q: What happens if a candidate disagrees with exam results?
A: NMCAB has a formal complaints and appeals process to ensure fairness. See our Complaints & Appeals page for details.
Q: How often are standards reviewed?
A: All standards are reviewed on a 3–5 year cycle to remain current with healthcare practices.