NCC Mandates 750 Clinical Hours for Nurse Practitioner Certification

The new mandate applies to candidates graduating after December 31, 2029. In a move to ensure clinical proficiency, the organization clarified that simulation-based training will no longer count toward the 750-hour requirement. These adjustments mirror standards set by the 2022 Standards for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, along with updated guidelines from NANN, NANNP, and NPWH.

NCC Chief Executive Officer Robin Bissinger, who co-authored a recent study on the implementation of these clinical requirements in the Journal of Nursing Regulation, noted that the research identifies specific barriers programs face when integrating higher clinical hour volumes. The article is available for public access via ScienceDirect through October 10, 2026. Further information regarding the transition process for faculty and students is available on the official NCC website.