NURSE CORPS BOARD CERTIFICATION, INCENTIVE PAY (IP) and RETENTION BONUS (RB) FY 2026
Effective October 1, 2025
DoD FMR Volume 7A Chapter 5
The following amounts are the maximum allowed by the Department of Defense.
For service specific amounts consult with your service personnel office.
Bolded information reflects changes.
| Board Certification Pay (prorated monthly) in US $ |
8,000 |
| NURSE CORPS |
Fully Qualified IP Only 1 Year Rate (prorated monthly in US $) |
RB Rate paid annually in US $ |
| 2-Year |
3-Year |
4-Year |
6-Year |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist |
18,000 |
20,000 |
30,000 |
50,000 |
75,000 |
| Community/Public Health Nursing |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
20,000 |
35,000 |
| Critical Care Nursing |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
20,000 |
35,000 |
| Emergency Nursing |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
20,000 |
35,000 |
| Flight Nurse |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
20,000 |
35,000 |
| General/Clinical Nursing (Note) |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
20,000 |
35,000 |
| Medical-Surgical Nursing |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
25,000 |
35,000 |
| Mental Health Nurse Practitioners |
4,800 |
20,000 |
30,000 |
40,000 |
60,000 |
| Neonatal Intensive Care |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
25,000 |
35,000 |
| Nurse Midwife |
4,800 |
15,000 |
20,000 |
30,000 |
45,000 |
| Obstetrics/Gynecology Nursing |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
25,000 |
35,000 |
| Pediatric Nursing |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
20,000 |
N/A |
| Perioperative Nursing |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
20,000 |
35,000 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing |
N/A |
10,000 |
15,000 |
20,000 |
35,000 |
| All Other Nurse Practitioners |
4,800 |
10,000 |
15,000 |
30,000 |
45,000 |
NOTE: This RB is intended for nurses who do not meet the eligibility for the specialty nurse RBs.
Page updated September 25, 2025