Certification - length of experience?

[TangoLima]

I'm a new nurse, graduated May 08. I work on a Tele unit, but am hoping to transfer to ICU after 1 year. I would then like to become certified. I haven't done a HUGE amount of research yet, but am wondering about the length of experience needed to qualify for certification. Most certifying agencies state you must have X number of hours earned over the last 2 years. Does this mean you must be in your specialty for 2 years, even if it is possible to earn X number of hours in 1 year? This is not how I am reading it, but just want to make sure I am interpreting this correctly. So, in my understanding, I can apply for certification after approx 1 year in my specialty. Yes?

Thanks!

[iteachob, MSN, RN]

I believe most certifications do require an actual 2 year period of experience in the specialty (over which the x number of hours is earned). In my personal experience, I had to have 2 years of experience for my NICU certification (long since lapsed).....and I had to have 2 years of experience (plus a master's in nursing education) for my CNE.