The document outlines the Oncology Nursing Society's (ONS) pathway for educational programs that nurses must complete to administer chemotherapy and biotherapy based on their level of experience and practice needs. For all nurses currently administering chemotherapy and/or biotherapy, the minimum requirement is completing the Chemotherapy Biotherapy: Fundamentals of Administration course. Nurses who administer high volumes receive additional certification after 6 months of experience by taking the ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certificate Course. For nurses administering low volumes, renewal of the fundamentals course is needed, but they can also elect to take the certificate course based on their institution's needs or career goals.

1. For use by healthcare leaders and individual nurses alike, the following pathway indicates the
appropriate progression of educational programs provided by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)
for administering chemotherapy and biotherapy based on level of competency, understanding,
and clinical practice needs.
ONS Standard
Educating Nurses
for
Who Administer Chemotherapy and Biotherapy
All nurses who need to
currently administer
chemotherapy and/or
biotherapy
Chemotherapy
Biotherapy: Fundamentals
of Administration
Successful completion
of the Chemotherapy
Biotherapy: Fundamentals
of Administration earns
the ONS provider card
Nurses who administer high
volume or large number
of chemotherapy and/or
biotherapy agents
ONS recommends 6 months
of experience administering
chemotherapy, biotherapy
agents plus earning
chemotherapy, biotherapy
and/or disease-specific CNE
ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy
Biotherapy Certificate Course
Successful completion of
the ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy
Biotherapy Certificate Course
earns the ONS provider card
PLUS the ONCC certificate
of added qualification
Nurses should continue to earn
chemotherapy, biotherapy
and/or disease-specific CNE
ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy
Biotherapy Certificate Course
Renewal
Successful completion of the
ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy
Biotherapy Certificate
Renewal Course renews
the ONS provider card
Nurses who administer low
volume or a limited number
of chemotherapy and/or
biotherapy agents
Nurses should continue
to earn chemotherapy
biotherapy and/or
disease-specific CNE
Chemotherapy Biotherapy:
Fundamentals of
Administration Renewal
Successful completion
of the Chemotherapy
Biotherapy: Fundamentals
of Administration Renewal
Course renews the
ONS provider card
Based on the need
of the institution or
the career aspirations of
the individual, nurses can
elect to transition over
to the ONS/ONCC
Chemotherapy Biotherapy
Certificate Course
Pathway