The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States, Canada, and Australia since 1982, 2015, and 2020, respectively.[2][3] There are two types: the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN. After graduating from a school of nursing, one takes the NCLEX exam to receive a nursing license. A nursing license gives an individual permission to practice nursing, granted by the state where they met the requirements.

National Council Licensure Examination

Computerized adaptive testing

Developer/administrator

National Council of State Boards of Nursing

Knowledge/skills tested

Nursing Science

Prerequisite to nurse licensure in the USA and Canada

1994 in the United States

2015 in Canada

United States, Canada, and Australia

English and French

NCLEX-RN: Increase 358,998 (in 2023)[1]

NCLEX-PN: Decrease 65,679 (in 2023)[1]

Candidate must be a graduate of an approved nursing school. Fluency in English is assumed.

$200 or CAD 360

Scores/grades used by

State Boards of Nursing in the United States and Board of Nursing in 10 Canadian provinces

NCLEX-RN: Increase 69.66% (in 2023)[1]

NCLEX-PN: Increase 74.54% (in 2023)[1]

NCLEX examinations are developed and owned by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN). The NCSBN administers these examinations on behalf of its member boards, which consist of the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

To ensure public protection, each board of nursing requires a candidate for licensure to pass the appropriate NCLEX examination: the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and the NCLEX-PN for vocational or practical nurses. NCLEX examinations are designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry-level.

NCLEX examinations are provided in a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) format and are presently administered by Pearson VUE in their network of Pearson Professional Centers (PPC). With computerized exams such as this, the computer selects which question you are asked based on how you answered the previous question. The NCLEX covers a wide range of materials. The individual will be scored on their ability to think critically about decisions involving nursing care.[4]