NCLEX Exam for Nursing: Fee, Registration, & More

National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a state licensure exam for nursing graduates in the United States. It is a computer-adaptive exam conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). There are two types of NCLEX exams: NCLEX-RN (for registered nurses) and NCLEX-PN (for practical/vocational nurses). This article covers everything you must know about the NCLEX exam, including the registration process, exam fee, exam pattern, and syllabus.

NCLEX Exam: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the NCLEX exam is looked at by the Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB). Depending on the NRBs, the eligibility criteria might differ slightly. However, it typically includes a few steps that candidates must fulfill. 

• The candidate must have a state-approved nursing degree or diploma.
• One-year Practical Nursing Degree is needed to take up NCLEX-PN. 
• To appear for NCLEX-RN, a one-two year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is required.
• After graduation, the candidate must apply for licensure or registration at a Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB) of their choice.
• Some NRBs have criteria, such as minimum 18 years of age, good moral character, and minimum education requirements.

NRB checks your eligibility through Pearson VUE (test-administering body).

How to Register for NCLEX Exam

Although the registration steps vary from state to state, one can get it confirmed from the NRB of the state they are planning to apply for. The step-by-step process includes:

1. After you have applied to the NRB as mentioned above, make sure you have a valid government ID.
2. Visit the NCLEX website and register there for the exam. You can also register over the phone.
3. Create your username and password.
4. Select from where you are seeking your nursing license. 
5. Select from where you want to take the exam.
6. Select the nursing program that you graduated from.
7. Answer several questions like the date of graduation, your ethnic group, and which NRB you are seeking for licensure or registration.
8. Pay the registration fee; it will vary depending on your selection of location.

Note: After you have successfully registered for the NCLEX exam and it gets approved by the respective NRB, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email. After receiving this email, you can schedule the exam within its validity period (usually 90 days). If you don't receive an ATT even after NRB approval, you must contact Pearson VUE Candidate Services for further assistance.

NCLEX Exam Fee

The exam fee for NCLEX varies depending upon where the candidate wishes to seek to obtain their licensure. There is no refund policy once the registration is completed. An additional fee is charged if the candidate is willing to make changes to the registration. Here’s the fee details:

NCLEX Exam Pattern

A few important points related to the NCLEX exam pattern include:

• The number of questions for NCLEX-RN ranges from 75 to 145. 
• NCLEX-PN consists of 85  to 205 questions.
• 80-90% of questions are multiple-choice questions.
• There are 15 and 25 pre-test questions in NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN, respectively. These questions are not scored.
• The duration is five hours for both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams.

The NCLEX exam pattern includes various types of questions, which are:

• Multiple-response or Select All That Apply (SATA)
• Hot-Spot
• Fill in the Blanks
• Chart or Exhibit
• Drag and Drop
• Graphic Option Items
• Audio and Video

NCLEX Exam Syllabus

The NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN exams follow the same topics. The difference depends on the depth of the questions, and the exam pattern followed. The percentage distribution of questions across these categories may vary. The NCLEX exam syllabus outlines the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams into three categories: Client Needs, Integrated Processes, and Clinical Judgment. Mentioned below is what these three categories consist of.

NCLEX Practice Questions

The NCLEX official website provides sample packs and exam previews with NCLEX practice questions that can help you practice and prepare better for the exam. Both can be downloaded from NCLEX's official website. Some of the sample questions for NCLEX are as follows: