If I have my oncology certification, do I also need a certificate to administer antineoplastic medications?

The oncology nursing certifications (OCN®, CPHON®, CBCN®, AOCNP®, BMTCN®) offered through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) evaluate the mastery in knowledge and skills inclusive of a broad scope of content and provides validation of the specialized knowledge and experience required for competent performance. Antineoplastic therapy administration is only a portion of that knowledge.  Visit ONCC.org to view individual test outlines that identify major subject areas and the percentages assigned to each.

Completing the ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate^TM or ONS Fundamentals of Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Administration^TM course provides the detailed knowledge and skills needed to safely administer a variety antineoplastic therapies across the most common routes of administration.

• The ONS Fundamentals of Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Administration^TM course provides the nurse with the foundational tools to safely administer antineoplastic therapy, understand how antineoplastic medications are used in cancer and non-cancer treatment, and the effects and management of medication-related toxicities. This course is recommended for nurses who are new to antineoplastic therapy, administer a small variety of antineoplastic medications less than once per month, or work in a setting where they administer antineoplastic medications to patients with diseases other than cancer.
• The ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Administration Certificate^TM course is designed to provide the nurse with an advanced review of the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to safely administer antineoplastic medications and identify and manage medication-related toxicities. This course is recommended for nurses who administer a wide variety of antineoplastic medications as part of their daily work, has practiced as a nurse for more than six months, or has administered antineoplastic medications for more than a year.  

Though commonly and erroneously referred to as being “chemo certified”, successful completion of either course provides the learner with a Certificate of Completion with associated NCPD contact hours and a provider card. This is to indicate that the learner completed all course requirements, but this should not be considered a certification.

References:

Oncology Nursing Society (2020). Education of the registered nurse who administers and cares for the individual receiving antineoplastic therapies. https://www.ons.org/make-difference/ons-center-advocacy-and-health-policy/position-statements/education-nurse-administers-antineoplastic-therapies

Oncology Nursing Society. (2022). Oncology certification for nurses. https://www.ons.org/make-difference/ons-center-advocacy-and-health-policy/position-statements/oncology-certification