The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) was created by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and is taken by more than 250,000 nursing candidates every year. Two versions of the test exist, the most popular being the NCLEX-RN for aspiring registered nurses. Prospective licensed practical nurses, also known as licensed vocational nurses in California and Texas, take the NCLEX-PN. Because successful passage is required to practice nursing, it’s not to be taken lightly. The following comprehensive guide helps nursing candidates be better prepared for the NCLEX while also highlighting recent changes to the format and testing procedures.

Before delving into the nitty-gritty details, this introductory section covers the basics by providing a brief summary of testing requirements, registration processes, and exam administration.

Graduates of registered nursing programs take the NCLEX-RN to become licensed, whereas graduates of practical or vocational nursing programs take the NCLEX-PN. The two exams share almost the same categories, but the complexity of the questions differs. Although there is some overlap in the test questions in areas where RNs and LPNs have the same duties, each exam focuses on the skills needed for that particular nursing discipline. RNs have more responsibilities in the four steps of nursing – assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation – and this is reflected in the questions included in the exam. Since RNs perform more complex tasks, including invasive procedures, they are tested on the skills needed to perform those duties. LPNs, who work under the supervision of a managing RN, will need to be well-versed in questions about coordination with nurses and communication with patients.

Requirements to sit for the exam are set by each state’s nursing board or a comparable regulatory body. Most require examinees to be graduates of an approved nursing program, but there may be other state-specific mandates as well. Texas, for instance, requires a criminal background check and completion of a 50-question exam on nursing jurisprudence. Aspiring nurses should check with their state nursing board before applying.

Examination applicants should contact their state’s board of nursing or other regulatory body and request a licensure/registration application to start the process. Requirements vary by state.

The approximate cost of the test is $200 as of January 2016, but state-determined licensure fees are not included in that amount. In Oregon, this fee is $169 for first-time test takers and $25 for each subsequent attempt. Students must pay the licensure fee when they send in their application, while the testing fee can be brought to an approved Pearson VUE testing center. Students should register with Pearson VUE and their state board of nursing at roughly the same time.

Pearson VUE administers the NCLEX at locations across the United States and Canada. It also has international testing sites, although international candidates must pay an additional $150 scheduling fee.

Pearson VUE administers the NCLEX continuously throughout the year. Candidates schedule an appointment with the testing center and are given a date within the following 30 days. The period for repeat candidates is no less than 45 days.