Step-By-Step Guide to Registering for and Taking the NCLEX
If you’re aspiring to work in the U.S. as a nurse, one exam that stands between your dreams and reality is passing the all-important NCLEX.
Completing a premier nursing program or degree means that you have been prepared well, and are already equipped with the foundations and specialized knowledge you need to succeed as a nursing professional. The NCLEX will measure all of these to prove that you are ready to be the best nurse practitioner for your patients.
Haven’t taken your NCLEX yet? We’re giving you this comprehensive guide to help you prepare.
What Is the NCLEX?
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) refers to the test nurses need to pass in order to earn a nursing license in the United States. It is being overseen by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), a non-profit organization in the U.S. that includes nursing boards from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four US territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
Using computer adaptive testing (CAT), the computer selects questions based on the individual's previous responses on the test questions. This means that if the examinee makes a wrong answer, the next item will be easier. On the other hand, if you make the right answer, the next one will be more difficult. Examinees are given 5 hours to take the NCLEX which consists of around 85 to 150 fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, and multiple-choice items.
There are two exam types called NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. The NCLEX-RN is the licensing examination for registered nurses while the NCLEX-PN is for licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses.
What’s the Difference Between the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN?
Both exams cover questions related to health promotion, physiological integrity, and psychosocial factors. However, the RN exam also leans on care management, assessment, and supervisions of others. The PN exam scrutinizes a candidate’s knowledge on social and biological sciences and their ability to coordinate care.
What are the Educational Requirements for Taking the NCLEX?
To be able to take the NCLEX-RN, a candidate must obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
For the NCLEX-PN, one must have finished a board-approved nursing program.
The NGN: Next Generation NCLEX
To keep pace with the evolving healthcare system, the NCLEX test plans are updated by the NCSBN every 3 years. On April 1, 2023, the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), a major overhaul of the already rigorous board exam, was launched. It includes new question types that better simulate a hospital work setting, as well as new scoring models to better gauge a nurse’s clinical judgment, and decision-making abilities. The necessity to measure this arose from the insights acquired during the NCSBN Strategic Practice Analysis conducted from 2013 to 2014. The analysis revealed a growing demand for newly licensed nurses to adeptly navigate intricate decision-making processes when providing patient care.
Registering for the NCLEX
· Decide Which State You Want to Apply To
Each state or nursing regulatory body of the NCSBN has a different set of requirements on how to be qualified for the NCLEX exam. Some states might require candidates to pass additional language exams like the TOEFL or IELTS while others even look at your clinical experience. Therefore, when searching for a state in which to apply for the NCLEX, you have to thoroughly check a state’s requirements to avoid delays in your application.
Ideally, you’d want to apply for a state where you’re planning to work or reside. But in the event that you’d end up working in another state, you can process the transferring of your license.
· Apply and Register for the NCLEX
There are 8 steps to your NCLEX journey:
1. Apply for a licensure/registration with your chosen nursing regulatory body (NRB) or state where you wish to be licensed/registered. You must send proof of education, along with your application. If you meet all the requirements, the NRB will grant you eligibility to take the NCLEX. The NRB registration fee ranges from $50-$100.
2. Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services, and pay a fee of $200.
3. You will be receiving an Acknowledgement of Receipt of NCLEX registration via email from Pearson VUE.
4. The NRB will make you eligible in the Pearson VUE’s system.
5. You will be receiving an Authorization to Test (ATT) email from Pearson VUE. Valid only for an average of 90 days, a candidate must take the test within the validity period.
6. It’s time to schedule your exam by contacting Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services right away.
7. Bring required and acceptable identification for your exam day, and complete the exam.
8. Receive the official exam result from your NRB up to 6 weeks after you’ve taken the NCLEX.
Make sure to read the recent NCLEX Candidate Bulletin to learn all about the registration process overview, NCLEX content, scheduling your exam, test site rules and regulations, exam day process, and more right here: https://bit.ly/3z5za0e.
NCLEX Assistance for Qualified Applicants
We know it can feel daunting to go through this process alone—and you don’t have to! If you connect with USA Medical Staffing, we will match you with the best healthcare facility for you. Once you have been vetted and have been proven to be highly-qualified, the healthcare facility will help you take and pay for your NCLEX fee. Not to mention, they will also help with VISA processing and transportation.
An exciting journey awaits you with a promising career in the U.S. Reach out to us today to take the first step.
