NCLEX Exam - NCLEX

About the NCLEX

NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination. It is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The NCLEX measures the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level nurse. Used by nursing regulatory bodies in the U.S. and Canada, it assists in making licensure decisions to protect public health, safety, and welfare.

BoardCerts NCLEX Question Bank

BoardCerts provides a comprehensive question bank designed to help you succeed on the NCLEX exam. Each question is carefully reviewed by experienced nurses and healthcare professionals, ensuring accuracy, clinical relevance, and alignment with current nursing standards. Designed to reflect the NCLEX test plan and the clinical judgment skills assessed on the exam, our question bank includes challenging practice questions, detailed rationales, and clear explanations to strengthen your clinical reasoning and help you prepare with confidence.

What is the NCLEX-RN Exam Content Outline?

The NCLEX-RN certification exam evaluates a candidate's ability to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level registered nurse. The test plan is organized into four major Client Needs categories, with specific subcategories:

• Management of Care (15-21%): Providing and directing nursing care that enhances the care delivery setting to protect the client and health care personnel.
• Safety and Infection Prevention and Control (10-16%): Protecting clients and health care personnel from health and environmental hazards.
• Health Promotion and Maintenance (6-12%): Incorporates the knowledge of expected growth and development principles, prevention and/or early detection of health problems, and strategies to achieve optimal health.
• Psychosocial Integrity (6-12%): Promotes and supports the emotional, mental and social well-being of the client experiencing stressful events as well as clients with acute or chronic mental illness.
• Basic Care and Comfort (6-12%): Providing comfort and assistance in the performance of activities of daily living.
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies (13-19%): Providing care related to the administration of medications and parenteral therapies.
• Reduction of Risk Potential (9-15%): Reducing the likelihood that clients will develop complications or health problems related to existing conditions, treatments or procedures.
• Physiological Adaptation (11-17%): Managing and providing care for clients with acute, chronic or life-threatening physical health conditions.

For in-depth information regarding exam content, clinical judgment, and item writing tips, please review the official resources here: Get the Test Plans.

Eligibility Requirements for NCLEX

Entry into nursing practice is regulated by licensing authorities within NCSBN member board jurisdictions, including U.S. states, commonwealths, territories, and most Canadian provinces. Before registering for the NCLEX, candidates must ensure they meet the specific requirements determined by their nursing regulatory body (NRB). Candidates should contact the NRB where they plan to practice to verify all licensure and registration requirements.

NCLEX Application Process

NCLEX Exam Dates and Costs

The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams are available year-round through Pearson VUE testing centers.

For the most current information on exam dates, registration, scheduling, and fees, please refer to the official [NCLEX website](https://www.nclex.com/).

What is the Exam Format?

• Exam Delivery: The NCLEX uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT) technology to deliver the exam, ensuring a valid and reliable measurement of nursing competence.
• Item Types: The exam includes various item types, such as RN case studies, and measures clinical judgment.
• Exam Software: The exam is administered using Pearson exam software. A Candidate Tutorial is provided to help candidates become familiar with the system.

Find in-depth information regarding exam content, exam administration, and item writing tips in the Test Plans.

What is the Passing Score of the NCLEX?

• Passing Standard: The NCSBN Board of Directors reevaluates the passing standard every three years based on the minimum level of ability required for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice.
• Scoring Method: The NCLEX uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT). The exam continues until a pass or fail decision is made. To pass, a candidate must perform at or above the passing standard.
• Pass Rates: There is no fixed percentage of candidates that pass or fail the examination. The passing standard is applied uniformly to every examination.
• Exam Length: Candidates must answer a minimum of 85 items and a maximum of 150 items within the allotted five-hour period.

NCLEX Exam Proctoring

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and administered in partnership with Pearson VUE. Candidates must complete a multistep registration process:

• Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT): The NCLEX uses CAT technology to deliver the exam. This method interactively assembles a unique examination that matches the candidate's ability as the exam proceeds, tailoring the experience to their knowledge and skills.
• Pearson VUE Administration: Candidates schedule and take the exam through Pearson VUE. Before registering, candidates must ensure they meet the specific licensure and registration requirements determined by their nursing regulatory body (NRB).

These administration methods ensure a valid and reliable measurement of nursing competence for entry-level practice while maintaining strict examination security and confidentiality.

NCLEX Review and Exam Preparation Resources

The 2026 Candidate Bulletin is the start-to-finish NCLEX guide. It includes important contact information, registration details, candidate rules, and results processing. Candidates should review this bulletin before registering to take the NCLEX.

Test Plans: These plans contain in-depth information regarding exam content, administration, and clinical judgment. They are updated every three years. Access them here: Get the Test Plans.

Sample Questions & Exam Preview: Experience the item types with the sample pack, which includes 3 RN case studies, 2 PN case studies, and additional examples. An exam preview is also available to see how item types fit into the overall exam.

Candidate Tutorial & Flyer: The NCLEX Candidate Tutorial helps candidates become familiar with the Pearson exam software. Additionally, the NCLEX Information Flyer covers the Eight Steps of the NCLEX, acceptable identification, and scheduling rules.

NCLEX Certification Renewal

Unlike specialty certifications, the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN are licensure examinations and do not have a five-year certification renewal period. After passing the NCLEX and meeting the requirements of the applicable nursing regulatory body, nurses maintain their license according to the renewal requirements established by their state or jurisdiction.

License Renewal: Registered nurses and practical/vocational nurses must renew their nursing license according to the requirements of the state or jurisdiction where they are licensed. Renewal requirements may include continuing education, practice requirements, fees, and other state-specific requirements.

Retaking the NCLEX: Candidates who do not pass the NCLEX may be eligible to retake the examination after meeting the applicable retake requirements and waiting period established by the relevant nursing regulatory body. Candidates should review the requirements for their specific jurisdiction before registering for another examination.

Maintaining Licensure: NCLEX registration and examination requirements are separate from ongoing nursing license renewal. Once licensed, nurses are responsible for meeting the continuing licensure requirements established by their nursing regulatory body.

For the most current information about NCLEX registration, examination policies, and retake requirements, visit the official [NCLEX website](https://www.nclex.com/). For license renewal requirements, contact the nursing regulatory body in the jurisdiction where you are licensed.

NCLEX Practice Questions and Exam Preview

• Experience the item types with the NCLEX sample pack, which includes RN case studies and additional examples. You can also see how the item types fit into the overall exam with the exam preview to help you prepare for success.
• Access Sample Questions: Find sample questions from the BoardCerts question bank here.

Exams Related to the NCLEX by NCSBN

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops licensure examinations, including the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN, to assist in making licensure decisions and ensure public protection.

Regulatory Exam - Practical Nurse (REx-PN):

The REx-PN is the Canadian Practical Nurse exam developed for the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) and the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).

These examinations use computerized adaptive testing (CAT) technology to deliver the exam, ensuring a valid and reliable measurement of nursing competence.