To receive a nursing license in the US, you must pass what is known as the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination). It determines if an applicant maintains the knowledge and skills needed to become a nurse.
The steps for the NCLEX registration are:- Application submission at state board of nursing- To obtain authorization to test (ATT)- Test scheduling Sign Up through Credit / Debit / Prepaid Cards i.e. VISA, MasterCard or American Express card at Pearson VUE Website
This application process means that registration for the NCLEX remains open for a year while an NRB decides if someone is eligible. Eligible candidates must take the test in their ATT Email time frame.
Who Can Take The NCLEX?
Certified Nurse in the US and Canada: An individual needs to clear National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for being a certified nurse in most of the provinces, states or territory. NCLEX-PN: Graduates of the Practical Nursing Diploma program are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN.
Also, 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).
How To Register For The NCLEX
There are multiple processes involved in registering for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), including as submitting an application to the state board of nursing, securing testing authorization, and setting up an exam time with Pearson VUE. Use a credit, debit, or prepaid VISA, MasterCard, or American Express card to register on the Pearson VUE website.
Registration for the NCLEX remains open for a full year while the NRB determines a candidate’s eligibility. Candidates must take the test within the time frame specified in their Authorization to Test (ATT) email if they are deemed eligible.
In order to sit for the NCLEX, candidates must register with Pearson VUE, submit their program code, an email address, and a suitable payment method. The identity shown at the exam appointment must perfectly match the first and last names entered during registration.
Make sure the nursing program you finished is accredited. You must have finished an RN program to take the NCLEX-RN; similarly, you must have finished a PN/LVN program to take the NCLEX-PN.
How Much Does The NCLEX Cost?
Depending on whether you are taking the NCLEX-PN (for practical/vocational nurses) or the NCLEX-RN (for registered nurses), the cost of the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) can change. The NCLEX-RN exam often costs $200, and the NCLEX-PN examination often costs $200.
The state board of nursing may charge additional fees for processing your application, granting your license, or other administrative expenditures in addition to the Pearson VUE exam fee. These costs might be anything from $50 to $300 or more, depending on the state.
There can be extra fees for credential evaluation services and, if necessary, verification of English language proficiency for candidates from other countries. Depending on the service and evaluation difficulty, credential review services can range in price from $100 to $500. Then study guides, review classes, and practice exams come in a wide range of prices, depending on the resources you select, these can cost anywhere from $50 to $500 or more.
When To Take the NCLEX
There are a number of factors to take into account when choosing when to take the NCLEX in order to make sure you are ready and that the time works for your career and personal objectives.
Before you schedule the exam, make sure you have finished all of the didactic and practical requirements of your nursing degree. Your state will determine the earliest date for you to take the NCLEX-RN exam, however most students take the test 45 days following graduation.
Successful candidates typically begin studying 5 or 6 months prior to the test date, which is likely around the start of your final semester in nursing school, to give themselves enough time to examine the vast amount of material that will be covered on the NCLEX.
Can Your Take The NCLEX Before You Graduate?
Generally speaking, in order to take the NCLEX, you must have fulfilled all of the academic and clinical requirements of an approved nursing program. This is due to the fact that the NCLEX assesses knowledge and abilities that are normally taught during your nursing program.
In order to take the NCLEX, you need to be a graduate of an authorized nursing program. In order to register for the exam, you will also need to submit the necessary paperwork, such as a nursing degree or transcript.
It’s possible for students in certain nursing schools to finish clinical requirements or final exams the semester before they graduate. But before you can apply for the NCLEX, you still need to officially graduate and fulfill all degree criteria. Even though you are unable to take the NCLEX prior to graduating, you can still get ready by reading up on the subject, practicing, and using study guides.
Can I Retake NCLEX?
If you fail the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) the first time, you may, in fact, repeat it. You have to wait a certain amount of time after failing the NCLEX before trying to retake it.
The waiting period is usually forty-five days. This gives you time to go over and refine your study techniques before taking the test once more. You will have to reapply to the nursing board in your state and pay the Pearson VUE examination fee.
People who don’t pass the NCLEX are only allowed to retake the exam up to eight times a year, with a 45-day break in between. The total number of retests, however, is unlimited.
Conclusion
The optimal moment to sit for the NCLEX is after completing your nursing degree, making sure you’ve studied and practiced enough, and taking into account both your personal and professional circumstances. To ensure you get the most recent and accurate price information, make sure to verify with Pearson VUE as well as your state’s board of nursing before applying to take the licensure exams.
