Your MEDSURG-BC credential is valid for five years. Renewal is paperwork-heavy but has no exam if you keep up with it. Here is the whole ANCC renewal picture — hours, categories, fees, and timing — in plain language.
What does ANCC require to renew MEDSURG-BC?
Two things inside each 5-year cycle: 75 continuing-education contact hours in the specialty, and at least one professional-development activity from ANCC’s category list. Of the 75 contact hours, at least 60 must come from formally approved, accredited providers of nursing continuing education.
MEDSURG-BC renewal at a glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cycle length | 5 years |
| Contact hours | 75 CE contact hours (≥60 formally approved/accredited) |
| Plus | ≥1 professional-development category (academic credit, presentations, EBP/QI project, publication or research, and other ANCC categories) |
| Renewal fee | $350 non-member / from $250 for ANA members |
| When to apply | Up to 1 year before your expiration date |
What is the easiest way to stay ahead of it?
Split it: 15 contact hours a year feels invisible; 75 in the final year does not. Pick accredited med-surg CE early so all of it counts toward the 60-hour accredited minimum, and knock out the professional-development category with something you already do — a unit in-service presentation or a QI project usually qualifies.
To keep the clinical edge sharp between cycles (and to make any future recert painless), regular question practice beats bingeing: our MEDSURG-BC question bank is $19.99 for lifetime access — it will still be yours at renewal time.
Unlock 1,600+ MEDSURG-BC practice questions across 16 full-length simulators — $19.99 lifetime →
Just starting out instead? Begin with the free MEDSURG-BC practice questions.
Frequently asked questions
How often do I renew MEDSURG-BC?
Every 5 years. You can submit the renewal application up to one year before your expiration date.
How many CE hours does MEDSURG-BC renewal require?
75 continuing-education contact hours in the specialty, of which at least 60 must be from formally approved accredited providers — plus at least one ANCC professional-development category.
Do I have to retake the exam to renew MEDSURG-BC?
Not if you renew on time with the required hours and professional-development activity. Letting the credential lapse is what puts re-examination on the table.
How much does MEDSURG-BC renewal cost?
$350 for non-members; ANA members pay as low as $250.
Sources & references
The exam facts on this page are drawn from official certifying-body materials, reviewed 2026-06-18 by the DrCertifications exam-prep team (10+ years in exam preparation and publishing).