National Council Licensure Examination

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is administered by the National Council of State Boards for Nursing. The NCLEX test is required in order for entry-level nurses to become licensed. Since nurses deal with patients’ health and private information on a daily basis, enforcing strict licensing laws help protect the public. In addition, passing the NCLEX test shows that a nurse meets competency and professional standards. The NCLEX test is available for two types of nurses: registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) and practical nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Before you take the NCLEX test, you must be deemed eligible by your state’s board of nursing. Each state has certain requirements that you must meet. If you are determined to be eligible, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. An ATT letter is required to register for and take the NCLEX test. If you do not bring it to the testing center on the day of your test, you will not be admitted. Once you receive your ATT letter and receipt of registration, you should schedule your NCLEX test right away. Testing centers are first-come, first-served, so the sooner you schedule your test, the more options you will have for testing dates. Plus, your eligibility period is limited, depending on your state. Some states allow only 60 days to schedule and take your NCLEX test, while others allow up to 365 days. You will need to pay the $200 fee to Pearson VUE, the test administrator.

On the day of the NCLEX test, you must bring the ATT letter and a valid form of ID that contains both your signature and photo. You should plan to arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before the test begins, as you will need to provide a signature, fingerprint, and palm vein scan. You will also have your photo taken. You should not bring any personal items into the NCLEX test room. A note board and marker will be provided for you, and the computer contains an on-screen calculator should you need to use it. You will be given five hours for the Practical Nurse exam and six hours for the Registered Nurse exam. This includes two breaks. You cannot go back to a question or change an answer once you have submitted it, so it is best to analyze each question carefully and take the time you need. At the end of NCLEX test, you will be asked to complete a survey, and then you will be dismissed.

Your official test results will be mailed to you one month after the NCLEX test. However, some state nursing boards offer Quick Results Service, which allows you to obtain unofficial results 48 hours after the test. This costs an additional $7.95. You can request this service online or via telephone (an additional $9.95 for the call applies). If you fail the NCLEX test, you will receive a performance report that shows how well you did in each area. This will help you should you choose to retake the test. If you want to retake it, you will need to contact your state’s board of nursing to notify them. Depending on your state, you will need to wait between 45 and 90 days to retake the test. You will have to go through the registration process again, including paying the $200 testing fee.