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Key Facts: NC-BC Exam

140

Total Exam Items

120 scored + 20 experimental

72%

Passing Threshold

of 120 scored items

87%

Jan–Jun 2026 Pass Rate

AHNCC: 240 of 275 NC-BC candidates

60 hrs

Supervised Coaching

Eligibility requirement

$350–$425

Initial Exam Fee

C-NET listed category-based fees; verify at registration

5 years

Certification Valid

Recertification cycle

The AHNCC NC-BC exam has 140 items (120 scored and 20 experimental), a three-hour limit, and a published standard of 72% correct on scored items. The latest posted January–June 2026 cohort pass rate is 87% (240/275). Eligibility requires an unrestricted RN license or accepted international equivalency, qualifying RN experience, 60 recent nurse-coach CNE hours, and 60 supervised or mentored coaching hours. The official five-domain blueprint weights are 25%, 41%, 20%, 8%, and 6%.

Sample NC-BC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NC-BC exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 148+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to the AHNCC Scope and Standards, which behavior BEST distinguishes nurse coaching from traditional clinical nursing practice?

A.Assessing vital signs and physiological parameters

B.Partnering with clients to elicit their own wisdom and self-directed goals

C.Prescribing evidence-based treatment protocols

D.Performing comprehensive health history intake

Explanation: Nurse coaching is distinguished by a partnership model that elicits the client's own wisdom, strengths, and self-directed goals rather than prescribing or directing care. The ANA/AHNA Scope and Standards of Practice for Nurse Coaching centers on a co-creative, client-led process.

2The Theory of Integrative Nurse Coaching (TINC), developed by Dossey, Luck, and Schaub, identifies five components. Which component involves the nurse coach cultivating self-awareness and personal growth to enhance coaching effectiveness?

A.Integral perspectives and change

B.Nurse coach self-development

C.Integrative lifestyle health and well-being

D.Mindful presence

Explanation: TINC's first component, Nurse Coach Self-Development, encompasses self-reflection, self-assessment, self-evaluation, and self-care. It addresses the coach's own inner work, reflective practice, and personal growth as the essential foundation for effective coaching presence.

3A nurse coach uses open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries during a session. This set of skills is collectively known as:

A.SMART goal framework

B.Appreciative inquiry

C.OARS

D.Transtheoretical Model

Explanation: OARS — Open questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summaries — are the four core motivational interviewing communication skills that build rapport and elicit change talk from the client.

4A client states, 'I know I should exercise, but I just can't seem to get started.' According to the Transtheoretical Model, this client is MOST likely in which stage?

A.Precontemplation

B.Contemplation

C.Preparation

D.Action

Explanation: Contemplation is characterized by awareness that change is needed but ambivalence about taking action. The client acknowledges the issue ('I know I should') but has not moved to planning or action.

5Which motivational interviewing technique involves the nurse coach making a statement that mirrors or paraphrases what a client has said to demonstrate understanding?

A.Affirmation

B.Summary

C.Reflection

D.Open question

Explanation: Reflective listening involves crafting a statement — not a question — that mirrors or paraphrases the client's words or meaning, demonstrating empathy and encouraging continued exploration.

6A SMART goal for a coaching client should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and:

A.Repetitive

B.Time-bound

C.Transformational

D.Rigorous

Explanation: The 'T' in SMART stands for Time-bound, meaning the goal includes a clear deadline or timeframe that creates accountability and allows evaluation of progress.

7Appreciative inquiry in nurse coaching is BEST described as:

A.Analyzing a client's deficits to build a corrective action plan

B.Exploring what is working well and using strengths as a foundation for change

C.Applying evidence-based clinical guidelines to client wellness plans

D.Asking probing questions to uncover hidden psychological barriers

Explanation: Appreciative inquiry shifts focus from problems to possibilities, strengths, and what is already working, using those assets as the foundation for envisioning and creating desired change.

8During a holistic health assessment, a nurse coach asks a client about relationships, spirituality, and work satisfaction in addition to physical health. This reflects which principle of holistic nursing?

A.Reductionism

B.Pathogenesis

C.Whole-person assessment

D.Biomedical model

Explanation: Holistic nursing practice is grounded in whole-person assessment, recognizing that physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental dimensions are interconnected and all relevant to health and well-being.

9A nurse coach recognizes she is beginning to feel emotionally exhausted and less empathetic with clients. The MOST appropriate first action is to:

A.Reduce session frequency for all clients immediately

B.Engage in personal self-care practices and reflective supervision

C.Refer all clients to another coach without explanation

D.Increase documentation to maintain professional distance

Explanation: Self-care for the coach is an ethical and professional responsibility. Recognizing signs of compassion fatigue and responding with personal self-care practices and reflective supervision protects both coach well-being and client care quality.

10Which action by a nurse coach BEST demonstrates coaching presence as described in the ICF Core Competencies?

A.Preparing a detailed agenda before each session

B.Being fully conscious and present with the client, following their lead

C.Directing the client toward evidence-based lifestyle goals

D.Documenting observations throughout the session

Explanation: ICF defines coaching presence as being fully conscious and creating a spontaneous relationship with the client, using an open, flexible, grounded, and confident approach that follows the client's lead.

About the NC-BC Exam

The NC-BC (Nurse Coach–Board Certified) credential from AHNCC validates professional nurse coaching competence. The current computer-based examination has 140 items, including 120 scored and 20 experimental items, with three hours allowed. AHNCC and C-NET organize the exam into five areas: philosophy, theories, and ethics; the nurse coaching process; communication and coaching environment; education, research, and leadership; and self-reflection, self-assessment, and self-care. Candidates must answer 72% of scored items correctly.

Exam sponsor: AHNCC / C-NET (Center for Nursing Education and Testing). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

140 questions

Time Limit

3 hours; computer-based examination through C-NET

Passing Score

72% of 120 scored items (approximately 87 correct)

Exam / Certification Fees

$350–$425 for an initial examination depending on qualifying category (C-NET listed fees; verify at registration)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 87%. AHNCC NC-BC candidates, January–June 2026: 240 passing of 275 total; cohort result, not an individual passing score This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Nurse Coach Philosophy, Theories, and Ethics

Nurse coaching philosophy and theory, client autonomy, professional ethics, scope, consent, and therapeutic boundaries.

41%

Nurse Coaching Process

Whole-person assessment, client-directed goals, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation of coaching progress.

20%

Nurse Coach Communication and Coaching Environment

Therapeutic communication, listening, inquiry, trust, culturally responsive interaction, and supportive coaching environments.

Education, Research, and Leadership

Evidence-informed coaching, continuing competence, teaching, inquiry, and leadership in nurse coaching practice.

Self-Reflection, Self-Assessment, and Self-Care

Reflective practice, awareness of one’s assumptions and limits, professional development, and nurse coach self-care.

Preparing for the NC-BC Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 72% of 120 scored items (approximately 87 correct)
Exam length: 140 questions
Time limit: 3 hours; computer-based examination through C-NET
Exam / certification fees: $350–$425 for an initial examination depending on qualifying category (C-NET listed fees; verify at registration) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 148 available questions
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NC-BC: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the four OARS skills and be able to distinguish reflections from affirmations from summaries

2Know all five Transtheoretical Model stages including relapse as part of the normal cycle

3Practice motivational interviewing through partnership, acceptance of the client’s autonomy, compassion, and eliciting the client’s own reasons for change. Apply the approach in scenarios rather than relying only on acronym recall.

4Use AHNCC’s five published domains to structure review, with the largest share of attention on the Nurse Coaching Process (41%).

5Use AHNCC Core Essentials to review coaching communication, therapeutic relationship, and culturally responsive care.

6Review coaching scope limits: what requires referral versus what is within coaching scope

7Understand dual relationships, confidentiality rules, and mandatory reporting obligations

8Know AHNCC NC-BC eligibility numbers: 60 CNEs, 60 supervised hours, 72% passing threshold

9Practice distinguishing powerful coaching questions from leading or closed questions

10Apply cultural humility principles to scenario questions involving diverse client backgrounds

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NC-BC exam?

NC-BC (Nurse Coach–Board Certified) is an AHNCC specialty certification for eligible registered nurses. It assesses nurse coaching philosophy and ethics, the coaching process, communication, education and research, and professional self-reflection. HWNC-BC additionally requires current AHNCC holistic nursing certification; HNB-BC is a separate holistic nursing credential.

How many questions are on the NC-BC exam?

The current NC-BC exam has 140 items: 120 scored questions and 20 unscored experimental items. AHNCC publishes a 72% passing standard on the scored items. C-NET’s AHNCC FAQ allows three hours for the computer-based nurse coach examination.

What are the NC-BC eligibility requirements?

Candidates need a current unrestricted U.S. RN license or AHNCC-accepted international licensure equivalency and an ADN/diploma or higher nursing degree. BSN+ applicants need 2 years full-time or 4,000 part-time RN hours in the past 5 years; ADN/diploma applicants need 4 years full-time or 8,000 part-time hours in the past 7 years. All need 60 nurse-coach-related CNE hours in the past 3 years and 60 mentored or supervised coaching hours validated by a qualified Certified Nurse Coach Supervisor.

What is the NC-BC pass rate?

AHNCC reports an 87% NC-BC pass rate for January–June 2026: 240 of 275 candidates passed. This is a dated cohort result, not a prediction of an individual candidate’s result.

What content areas does the NC-BC exam cover?

C-NET’s published blueprint has five areas: Nurse Coach Philosophy, Theories, and Ethics (25%); Nurse Coaching Process (41%); Nurse Coach Communication and Coaching Environment (20%); Education, Research, and Leadership (8%); and Self-Reflection, Self-Assessment, and Self-Care (6%). Topics such as motivational interviewing or change theory may be useful to study within those areas, but the cited C-NET outline does not assign separate weights to those subtopics.

How long is NC-BC certification valid?

NC-BC certification lasts five years. AHNCC lists recertification by successfully passing the certification exam or by a continuing-competency application. The continuing-competency route requires current unrestricted RN standing, qualifying nurse-coach practice (one full-time year or 1,200 part-time hours in the past five years), and 100 specialty-related competency hours or accepted professional-development equivalents. Check the current AHNCC recertification instructions for the examination route and application status.

How should I prepare for the NC-BC exam?

Start with the C-NET handbook’s five-domain content outline and AHNCC Professional Nurse Coach Core Essentials and Competencies. Use those sources to review client-directed goal setting, therapeutic communication, ethical boundaries, evidence-informed practice, and self-reflection; then practice applying the concepts to scenarios.