Your comprehensive guide to earning an occupational health nurse certification.
An occupational health nurse certification may open career doors, improve your chance for promotions or salary increases, and increase on-the-job competency.
Unlike a license, certification is not always required to work as an occupational health nurse, although some employers may require that candidates possess other credentials, including LPN or RN licenses.
The American Board of Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN), which offers the nursing certificate in this area, does have minimum requirements for individuals seeking to become certified.
Available credentials
The ABOHN offers two levels of voluntary credentials for the occupational health nurse. The first level is the certified occupational health nurse, or COHN. The second level is the COHN-S, or specialist. The credentials are awarded based on two different exams and have different prerequisites.
COHN requirements and credential
In order to sit for the COHN exam, you must:
- Be a registered nurse (RN).
- Have an associate degree or higher degree.
- Be able to provide documentation of 3,000 hours of work experience in a related nursing field, or proof that you completed occupational health nurse certificate programs for academic credit.
The COHN credential exam is aimed toward nurses who will provide direct occupational recovery care to patients. However, there are questions that delve into areas like coordination of services, case management and advocacy.
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COHN-S requirements and credential
Requirements for the COHN-S exam include all requirements for the COHN credential. Additionally, applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher. Applicants for the COHN-S can show documentation of a graduate-level education concentrating in occupational health in lieu of work experience or the completion of an occupational nurse certificate program.
The COHN-S exam concentrates more on management and education, although there are questions covering topics like direct patient care and consultation.
Exam details
Both credentials require candidates to pass an exam that is comprised of 160 total questions. The test features 25 unscored pre-test questions and 135 scored questions. Participants take the test on a computer. All questions are multiple choice.
The exam, which has a three-hour time limit, is offered at 190 testing locations throughout the United States.
The cost for the exam is about $400 each time you take it. Applicants can make credit card payments via the ABOHN site when they register for the exam.
After the exam 
Although the COHN and COHN-S credentials are not always required for employment in the occupational nursing field, they may certainly offer a boost to your resume and make you more attractive to employers. You may find more doors opening in your career as you move into the role of an occupational health nurse.
Jobs in this niche include working with patients who are recovering from work-related injuries, assisting with case management on workers' compensation claims, and working with employers to reduce in-house accidents.
Find out more about schools with occupational health nurse certification programs. You can review information and options to make the best choices for your future career.
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