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