To become a licensed nurse in the US, one must pass a standardized exam called the NCLEX, or National Council Licensure Examination. It’s employed to ascertain whether an applicant possesses the know-how and abilities required to work as a nurse.
A legitimate government-issued identification card is required for NCLEX registration. Applicants can register for the exam and pay online at the NCLEX website. If you prefer to register over the phone, you must have a working credit, debit, or prepaid card and an email address.
What Is NCLEX?
Since 1982, 2015, and 2020, respectively, the National Council Licensure Examination has been a national exam for nurses seeking licenses in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is used to assess a candidate’s eligibility to become a licensed nurse in the US. It is available in two primary versions that is The NCLEX-RN which is for applicants who want to work as registered nurses (RNs) and The NCLEX-PN which is for applicants who want to work as vocational or practical nurses (LVNs or LPNs).
Testing the information, skills, and abilities necessary for safe and efficient nursing practice is the goal of the NCLEX. It guarantees that applicants possess the competence needed to deliver patient-safe treatment that satisfies professional standards.
The NCLEX scoring method assigns logits, a unit of measurement, to each question in order to establish a candidate’s passing or failing score. The discrepancies between the candidate’s estimated ability and the difficulty of the question are reported using logits. The NCLEX’s current passing score is -0.18 logits.
The NCLEX’s Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) is one of its main features. The exam adjusts to the skill level of the person taking it. The test will ask you increasingly challenging questions if you answer them properly; if you answer them wrong, the questions will get simpler. This flexible structure aids in precisely determining your proficiency level.
The NCLEX-RN covers areas such as: Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, Physiological Integrity. The content areas of the NCLEX-PN are comparable, however they are customized to the LPN/LVN practice scope. The test consists of both multiple-choice and alternate-format questions, such as fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, and hot spots.
Who Is Eligible To Take The NCLEX?
Those with a Practical Nursing Diploma are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Applicants may sit for the NCLEX-RN if they have a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in nursing. Upon completion of their nursing program, candidates are required to register or petition for licensure with a Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB). Depending on whether you want to become a Practical/Vocational Nurse (PN/LVN) or a Registered Nurse (RN), your eligibility to take the NCLEX will differ.
The following are the general prerequisites for both exams’ eligibility:
Qualification for the NCLEX-RN
- Educational Standards: To become a Registered Nurse, you have to have finished an approved nursing program. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are commonly included in this.
- Request for Licensure: The nursing board or other regulatory authority in the state or territory where you plan to practice must receive your application for licensure. Transcripts, evidence of education, and other documents as mandated by the state are frequently submitted throughout this process.
- Acceptance for Testing: Following evaluation and approval of your application, the state board will issue an authorization to test (ATT). You can arrange a time for your NCLEX exam with this ATT.
Qualification for NCLEX-PN
- Educational Standards: A recognized Practical/Vocational Nursing program must have been completed by you. Usually, practical or vocational nurses are the target audience for this diploma or certificate program.
- Request for Licensure: You must apply for licensing with the state or territory where you intend to work, just like the RN process does. Transcripts and other required paperwork are part of this.
- Acceptance for Testing: You can schedule your NCLEX-PN exam after receiving an ATT from the state board after your application has been approved.
Also some personal information are required and that includes:
Criminal history Check: Before granting a license, several states need the completion of a criminal history check. Be sure to review the particular rules for your state.
International Candidates: If you are an international candidate, you must have your educational credentials examined and complete extra standards specified by the nursing board in the state where you intend to practice.
Residency Requirements: States may have different eligibility requirements, so it’s vital to confirm the particular requirements with the state nursing board in question for further information and any additional requirements that may apply.
NCLEX Exam Requirements
To take the National Council Licensure Examination, candidates need to fulfill prerequisite requirements established by the state or territory in which they intend to obtain their license. Although the standards in general are the same, the specifics can differ based on the jurisdiction.
The NCLEX Exam Requirements Includes:
- Completion of a Registered Nurse program that has been accredited (BSN, Associate Degree in Nursing [ADN], or equivalent) for NCLEX-RN and a Successful completion of a recognized program in practical or vocational nursing for NCLEX-PN.
- Completed clinical hours—the number of which varies based on the regulations in your state.
- A criminal history check; some crimes may bar you from employment in the nursing profession.
- Evidence of your persona.
You might need to fulfill extra requirements and have your credentials reviewed by an authorized organization if you finished your nursing education outside of the United States.
NCLEX Requirements For International Nurses
There are extra prerequisites and stages for international/foreign nurses compared to local applicants in order to take the NCLEX and get licensed in the US.
Credential Evaluation is one of the requirements for international nurses seeking to work in the US as qualified nurses and that includes your
Educational Credentials: A certified credential evaluation agency is required to assess the nursing education credentials of international nurses. To this end, one of the most popular organizations is the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). They offer a report from the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) that evaluates how well your education compares to American standards.
Certification: Some states may need certification from CGFNS or another recognized organization, like the International Commission on Healthcare Professionals (ICHP), in addition to evaluating credentials.
English Language Proficiency: You might need to prove your English language ability if you did not have your nursing education in the preferred English language. Standardized assessments such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are frequently used for this. It depends on the state.
Application for Licensure: Apply for licensure with the state board of nursing in the area in which you want to work. Provide any necessary supporting evidence, such as transcripts of study, certification of English language proficiency, and other records. Make sure the state board receives the necessary application payments.
Authorization to Test (ATT): You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from the state board after your application has been reviewed and accepted, enabling you to set up a time for the NCLEX exam.
Schedule and Take the NCLEX: To book your NCLEX exam through Pearson VUE, the NCLEX testing provider, use your ATT. The exam must be taken in a location that has been authorized. Make sure you bring the necessary, legitimate identification.
Licensing and Registration: Your license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) will be issued by the state board upon passing the NCLEX exam. Additional criteria, such state-specific tests or continuing education, might exist in some states. For further information, speak with the state board.
Work Authorization: To practice in the United States, foreign candidates who do not currently reside in the country must get the necessary work license and visa. This frequently entails going through immigration processes and getting a work visa.
What If I Am Not Qualified?
You can take a few actions to resolve the situation and strive toward eligibility if you discover that you are currently ineligible to take the NCLEX.
First identify the specific issue which might include:
- Educational Credentials
- English Language Proficiency
- Incomplete Application
- Criminal Background
After identifying the problem, try resolving it by producing the necessary documents and submit again for review but should you be unable to obtain NCLEX licensing right away, think about working in healthcare management, patient care coordination, or other related fields where your education and experience may be useful.
