NCLEX

The NCLEX exam, also known as the National Council Licensure Examination, is a standardized exam that each State Board of Nursing uses to determine whether or not a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice.

But your first step is to successfully complete an accredited nursing degree. NCLEX Eligibility & Registration In order to take the NCLEX exam, you must apply for a Nursing license from a State Board of Nursing. That board will determine whether or not you meet its criteria for NCLEX Examination-Eligibility. You must then register to take the exam.

Once you’ve applied for a license from your state board of nursing, you will receive an NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin in the mail. You may then register with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s testing service by phone, or by filling out a mail-in registration form.

Once your state board of nursing has verified your eligibility to take the NCLEX examination, you will receive an Authorization to Take the Test (ATT), along with a list of testing centers and instructions for how to schedule an appointment to take the examination. The cost to take the NCLEX is $200.

EXAM DAY

In this section, you will find an in-depth look at the candidate exam day process and the rules to be followed during the administration of your exam at a Pearson Professional Center. Below are a few things to think about on the exam day:

Be Prepared
When you arrive for your NCLEX, you'll need your Accepted ID
You will no longer need to bring a paper copy of the Authorization to Test (ATT) for admittance to the NCLEX.  Important Exam Day Tips

• Make sure to bring your ID. Candidates without proper ID will not be allowed to take the NCLEX.

• Know the NCLEX Candidate Rules! These include policies specific to personal items, confidentiality, NCLEX administration and break procedures.

Dress comfortably.
You're required to leave hats, scarves, gloves and coats outside of the testing room. (Provisions are made for religious/cultural dress.)

Arrive Early.
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your exam. If you are more than 30 minutes late, you may have to forfeit, reregister and pay another exam fee.

Provide Your Biometrics.
In order to be tested, the following biometrics will be taken: signature, photograph and palm vein scan.

Receive Biometrics.
You may not bring in paper or writing instruments for this computer-administered exam. An on-screen calculator and erasable note board/marker for making notes will be provided.

Set Your Pace.
You'll have up to 6 hours to complete the RN exam, including the short tutorial and 2 optional breaks (the first 2 hours into testing, the second after 3.5 hours of testing). Take time to analyze each question carefully—once you submit an answer you can't return to that question. Learn more about computer adaptive testing (CAT). 


Special Research Section.
Since July 2017, NCSBN started presenting a Special Research Section as part of the NCLEX-RN administration. By participating in the Special Research Section, candidates will be making valuable contributions to the future development of NCSBN examinations as well as to the enhancement of the nursing profession.

The Special Research Section is given to select candidates taking the NCLEX-RN and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. This section is administered following the regular exam and does not count as part of the NCLEX score.

Once a candidate finishes their exam, an introductory screen indicates the beginning of the Special Research Section. This section will also continue to be numbered in accordance with the completed exam – for example, if a candidate's exam ended with question 153, the first question on the Special Research Section will be numbered 154. Despite the consecutive numbering, these new questions will have no impact on NCLEX scoring or results. 

Candidates may take the entire allotted six hours to complete the NCLEX. All questions on the NCLEX-RN and the Special Research Section are confidential.

Finishing up
You'll end with a short computerized survey. Afterwards, raise your hand and wait for the TA to dismiss you.

Keep in mind that although the exam is graded as you progress, scores go through a second verification process at Pearson VUE. Your score is not available and will not be released at the test center.