The National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, is one of the most important licensing exams for nursing graduates who want to work as professional nurses abroad, like Canada, the United States, Australia, etc. The exam is designed to test whether candidates are prepared for safe and effective nursing practice at the entry level. For aspiring nurses, it is important to understand the requirements of the NCLEX examination, as it is the first and most important step in becoming a registered nurse or a practical nurse. In this blog, you will be guided through the NCLEX eligibility criteria, education requirements, documents required, and registration process.
What is the NCLEX Exam?
The NCLEX exam is conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). This exam is essential to evaluate the ability of the candidate to make safe and effective judgments related to sound nursing. The NCLEX uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), which means the difficulty level of the exam adjusts on the basis of how well you answer the questions. This guarantees a fair and personalised evaluation of every nursing candidate.
The NCLEX Exam is conducted under two domains, as explained below.
- NCLEX-RN: Registered Nurse Exam is conducted for candidates with a BSc in Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing, or an equivalent diploma course who hope to function as registered nurses.
- NCLEX-PN: It is a Practical Nurse Exam for those who have finished a practical course in nursing. If you are aiming to become a licensed practical or vocational nurse, the NCLEX-PN course is ideal for you.
Who Is Eligible to Appear For NCLEX?
NCLEX Eligibility Criteria depend on meeting the nursing regulatory body requirements in US, Canada, and Australia. You can apply for the NCLEX if you have:
- Successfully completed your class 10+2 with at least 40-50% marks.
- Graduated from a recognised board.
- You should have finished your class 10+2 in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- You should be proficient in English and French (if applying to Canada).
- It is vital that you have received an AAT email (Authorization to Test).
Educational Requirements for NCLEX Exam
The educational requirements for NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN differ slightly depending on several factors:
NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse)
You should have completed an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or a Diploma from a well-recognized, accredited nursing school.
NCLEX-PN (Practical Nurse)
You should have completed a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Course from a state-approved board.
Foreign-Educated Nurses
It is imperative that you have completed your graduation from a government-recognized nursing school in your home country. Alongside, the board you have studied from requires an evaluation by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). You should have appeared in exams like IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT.
Identification Requirements for NCLEX Exam
In order to appear for NCLEX exam, it is necessary to present a valid identification that precisely checks the details utilized during the NCLEX registration procedure. The following are the IDs that are required:
- Valid password mandatory for most international candidates.
- State ID Card or driver’s license required for US aspirants.
- Government-issued Canadian ID must be presented for Canadian citizens.
- It is to be noted that the ID must be valid and unexpired.
- Digital IDs, photocopies, and temporary IDs will not be accepted.
- The name provided on the ID must match the Authorization to Test (ATT) document.
- Any discrepancy will lead to the cancellation of the candidature.
Registration Process for the NCLEX Exam
Check the detailed registration procedure to apply for the NCLEX exam below:
Step 1: Apply for the Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB)
You have to submit your application form to the nursing board in the state where you want to operate. Present the school documents, results, identity card, and other details as asked by the authorities.
Step 2: Pearson VUE Registration
The official registration partner for NCLEX is Pearson VUE. You are required to create a Pearson VUE account and pay the NCLEX exam fee, which is $200, equivalent to INR 16,000. Apart from the exam fees, you will have to pay an additional international scheduling fee equal to $150; INR 12,000.
Step 3: Authorization to Test (ATT)
You have to receive the authorization to ATT via email. The approval will be sent only after it is approved by the authorities. ATT stays valid for 90 days, and you have to schedule your exam within the same timeframe.
Step 4: Exam Scheduling
You have to utilize the Pearson VUE’s portal to select your desired NCLEX exam date and test center location.
Step 5: Appear for NCLEX exam
You have to appear early at the NCLEX exam center with your ATT and a valid ID. The duration of the exam is 5 hours, which includes optional breaks.
Prepare for the NCLEX-RN Exam with edept
The NCLEX requires candidates to prepare thoroughly. Edept Global Healthcare Academy is sculpted to offer specialised NCLEX coaching that helps you to get hold of success on your first attempt.
- edept offers comprehensive NCLEX study material that is aligned with the latest NCSBN exam preparation.
- NCLEX-RN Exam Mock Tests, which are replicas of the real test papers, are provided to the candidates so that they can practice them to replicate the real-time exam situation.
- edept consists of experienced faculty mentors with international nursing experience.
- You can get a flexible online learning experience that becomes easily approachable for busy nursing professionals.
- There is one-to-one study guidance given by edept that helps you to strengthen your weak areas and boost exam confidence.
With the help of edept NCLEX training programs, you gain confidence, the required skills to pass the exam, and start your career abroad.
Conclusion
The NCLEX exam is the final step towards becoming a licensed nurse in the United States or Canada. In order to succeed, you have to meet all the requirements for the NCLEX exam that include educational qualifications, proper identification, and the registration procedure. Whether you are a nursing graduate in the United States or an internationally trained nurse, it is important to understand the NCLEX eligibility requirements, documentation, and follow the registration process. Apart from this, it is also important to make a preparation strategy that will be supported by edept Global Healthcare Academy. You will be able to clear the NCLEX and begin your professional career successfully.
FAQs
1. What are the document requirements for the NCLEX-RN exam?
The documents required for the NCLEX RN exam are a passport, results, a State ID Card, or a driver’s license for US aspirants; a Government-issued Canadian ID must be presented for Canadian citizens.
2. Can I give the NCLEX without IELTS?
Yes, you can appear NCLEX without the need for IELTS, as some of the US states do not require it. However, for employment and a visa, English proficiency is required.
3. Is it possible to take the NCLEX without IELTS or other English proficiency tests?
Yes, you can take the NCLEX without IELTS. But for immigration and licensing in many states, IELTS or TOEFL scores may still be required.
4. What is the minimum passing score for the NCLEX-RN exam?
The NCLEX exam does not give a regular percentage score. Instead, the exam authorities decide if you PASS or FAIL based on how well you perform through Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT).
5. What is the difference between NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN?
The NCLEX-RN is conducted for registered nurses. They have more responsibilities in taking care of patients; on the other hand, the NCLEX-PN exam is for practical or vocational nurses. They help with taking care of patients.
6. How many times can I retake the NCLEX-RN exam?
The NCLEX-RN exam can be taken 8 times a year, with is 45-day gap between.