NCLEX - National Council Licensure Examination
NCLEX stands for the National Council Licensure Examination. The NCSBN, or National Council of State Boards of Nursing, sets the testing standards and criteria that govern NCLEX in all 50 states and at least one Canadian province. Universities, colleges, and schools are not authorized to administer NCLEX exams; therefore, an NCLEX test cannot be taken until after you have completed your nursing program. NCLEX is designed to measure a nurse’s ability to safely and accurately take care of patients in different settings. The testing process requires a high level of self-discipline and the ability to focus. NCLEX requires that a nurse be able to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of nursing, communication with others, both written and oral, perceptual abilities, and motor skills – all in a relatively short period of time.
NCLEX Exam Structure:
NCLEX consists of three parts: the multiple-choice questions (60 questions), the computer-based performance test (350 questions), and the written essay (two questions). The multiple-choice section of NCLEX is taken on a computer. The computer presents two or three possible answers to each question, requiring the examinee to select one answer. There are 60 questions in Part One of the examination and you have 120 minutes to complete it.
The computer-based performance test (CBT) comprises 350 questions and is made up of 20 separate stations of multiple-choice and scenario-based items. This portion of the exam requires examinees to respond in a timely manner to at least one question or situation within a time limit of 180 seconds per item.
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NCLEX Exam Requirement:
The NCSBN recommends that you complete your nursing program and take the NCLEX within one year of graduating from a school. Examinees who have graduated from programs outside the U.S. are encouraged to fulfill the requirement as soon as possible to avoid any major transition problems into a new healthcare setting or country.
How to Apply for NCLEX
The NCSBN recommends that you apply to take NCLEX at least 90 days before your graduation date. You can begin the application process online (www.ncsbn.org) by clicking on “Apply to Take the NCLEX Online”. A list of pre-approved nursing programs is also available from this website. If you did not graduate from a pre-approved school, you must apply to take the exam through one of the alternative methods listed on NCSBN’s website.
As part of your application process, you must provide:
- Proof that you have graduated from an approved nursing program;
- One recent passport-sized photo;
- Your Social Security Number
- A copy of your transcript clearly showing the name of your school, its address, and the date you completed a nursing program or a statement specifying the name of the school at which you are enrolled currently along with your enrollment period
- The addresses where you have lived for the last five years, including any military service history and dates of discharge;
- A completed Application for Licensure by Endorsement and/or Examination
- An official sealed transcript from your school showing the date you graduated or one that clearly states that you are in good standing as a student
- An official letter from the dean, president, or registrar of your nursing program that clearly indicates your graduation date
- An official sealed transcript from your former nursing program or international credential evaluation report, if applicable (ask the school to complete a CGFNS Educational Report Form);
- Payment for the $200 fee (payable by credit card, money order, or check).
NCLEX Test Dates and Locations:
Please visit the NCSBN website (www.ncsbn.org) to find more information about test dates and locations, as well as a list of nursing programs in your area.
NCLEX Exam Fees:
The current NCLEX fee is $200 for the first attempt, and $80 to$105 (depending on your state) for subsequent attempts. As of April 2014, you can pay with a credit card or check online (the site is secured through a third party). If you prefer to pay by money order or cashier’s check, you must send payment by mail. * Make sure you get a receipt from NCBNE (National Council of State Boards Examiners) for your application fee when paying by mail.