Everything You Need to Know About Upcoming NCLEX: Requirements, Schedule, Location, Fees & Practice Questions 

The upcoming NCLEX, or National Council Licensure Examination, is the final hurdle nursing students must overcome before becoming registered nurses. Preparing for the NCLEX can be stressful. That’s why we’ve curated everything you need to know about the upcoming NCLEX from the requirements, schedule, location, and fees to practice questions, so you can start preparing today. Take the exam with confidence, ace it, and start being a part of a global pipeline of nurses! 

 

Application and Registration 

To get your application started, here is the two-step registration process for the upcoming NCLEX:  

  1. To be eligible to take the NCLEX, you must submit an application to the nursing regulatory body (NRB) where you wish to be licensed or registered.  
  2. Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE online. Provide a program code and email address with your registration. Communication with Pearson Vue will solely be available via email. To familiarize yourself with the Pearson VUE exam software, check out this NCLEX Candidate Tutorial. 

 

Registration Fees 

For US Licensure, here are the fees* you can expect to pay for the upcoming NCLEX: 

  • Registration Fee – 200 USD 
  • Additional International Scheduling Fee (+value added tax where applicable) – 150 USD 
  • Fee if you change NRB after registration – 50 USD 
  • Fee if you change exam type (RN/PN) after registration – 50 USD 
  • NRB Licensure/Registration fee – varies depending on NRB (contact nursing regulatory body) 

*Excludes local taxes 

 

How To Pay 

Online Payment 

You can select either of the following payment options on the Person VUE website: 

  • Pay by card. Pay using a VISA, Mastercard, American Express/AmEx credit, debit, or prepaid card. No other card issuer or payment networks are accepted.  
  • Third-party payments. Payments from nursing schools or direct hire staffing partners must be made through the same payment networks above.  

Payment via Telephone

  • Call Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services.  
  • Prepare your valid VISA, Mastercard, or American Express credit, debit, or prepaid card to purchase your exam. Provide your name, card number, and expiration date as shown on the card. 

Note: The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) recommends registering, scheduling, and purchasing your exam online due to high call center volume. 

 

Registration Time Limit 

Once you have successfully registered for NCLEX, it will stay open for 365 days until your candidate eligibility from the NRB is confirmed. After your eligibility is confirmed, you will be given test validity dates through the Authorization to Test (ATT) email that you will receive.  

  • Your NCLEX registration and fees will be forfeited if you are not made eligible by your NRB within the 365-day period. Once your current registration expires, you must register again and pay another exam fee. 
  • You cannot have two of the same exam type NCLEX registrations open at the same time. If you reregister for the same exam before your registration expires, your second registration will be processed and denied. There will be no refunds for fees collected that fall under this scenario. 

 

Scheduling Options 

If you’re taking the exam for the first time, you will be offered an appointment within 30 days of the requested schedule. Repeat candidates will be offered an appointment within 45 days. 

  • Scheduling online. Sign in to the Pearson VUE website using your credentials created upon registration. Choose your preferred date, time, and test center location.
  • Scheduling over the phone. Call Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services and provide identity verification. Choose your preferred date, time, and test center location. 
  • Scheduling through an International Test Center. You can choose to do this online or over the phone via Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services. You will be charged an additional non-refundable international scheduling fee and value-added tax (if applicable) at the time of scheduling. 

Once you receive an ATT, it is highly recommended to immediately choose a schedule.  If you delay scheduling an exam appointment, you significantly limit the selection dates you can choose from.  

After scheduling, you will receive a Confirmation of Appointment email from Pearson VUE. Verify all the information listed and check your appointment online. If you make any schedule changes, you will receive confirmation every time. If you didn’t change anything but were notified of changes made, contact the Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services.  

 

Testing Locations 

The NCLEX can be taken at domestic and international test centers. For US Licensure, domestic pertains to all test centers in the United States and Territories, including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. All testing centers outside of these locations are considered international test centers. Taking the exam at international test centers will incur an additional international scheduling fee. 

Important Notes  

  • Call the NCLEX Candidate Services if you have not received confirmation of your NCLEX registration within two days of submission.  
  • Do not resubmit an application before calling and stopping payment on the previous registration. 
  • Failure to reschedule and/or cancel an exam appointment within 24 business hours will not be eligible for a refund. Failure to show up on the scheduled exam day will also make your registration not eligible for a refund.
     

Exam Preparation 

To make sure you’re prepared, make sure to review these resources before taking the upcoming NCLEX.  

NCLEX Information 

NCLEX Test Prep

Pro Tip: While you wait for your testing date and time, keep doing these practice exams and quizzes until you reach a passing standard. This will help boost your confidence in taking the actual exam. 

 

Exam Day Preparations 

Now that you’ve done all your pre-test prep, you should also be prepared for exam day! Here’s a walkthrough of what you can expect on the day of. 

Exam Day Process 

Check-In

  • Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled test. Arriving later than 30 minutes after your scheduled time will result in forfeiture of your NCLEX appointment. 
  • If technical issues arise that cause you to wait for more than 30 minutes after your scheduled test, you can choose to continue to wait or reschedule at no cost.  
  • You will be required to store your electronic devices in a sealable bag provided by your testing center.  
  • You will be asked to read and sign the Candidate Statement upon check-in. 
  • Only exam takers will be allowed inside the test center. Anyone who is not taking the exam will not be allowed to wait inside the premises.
     

Valid Identification

  • You will be asked to present a valid and acceptable form of identification. 
  • You must present physical or non-digital, non-expired, government-issued identification that clearly states your name as found on the ATT email, recent photograph, and signature. 
  • Here are the acceptable forms of identification for domestic test centers:  
  • Passport 
  • Driver’s License 
  • Provincial/Territorial or State Identification Card 
  • Permanent Residence Card 
  • Military Identification Card 
     

Personal Items Policy 

  • You will be required to leave all of your personal belongings outside the testing room. Storage lockers will be provided. 
  • You will not be allowed access to any of your electronic devices and weapons of any kind during the exam.  
  • Hats, scarves, gloves, coats, large jewelry, or other accessories are not allowed in the testing room unless for specific religious or cultural purposes or adherence.
     

Testing Room Policy 

  • Your test administrator (TA) will provide an erasable note board to use for the exam. This can be replaced as needed throughout the test.  
  • You have up to five hours to complete the NCLEX. This includes an introductory screen, two scheduled optional breaks offered after the first two and 3.5 hours of the test, respectively, and any unscheduled breaks you may need. All breaks count against testing time.  
  • You will have to take all of your breaks outside the testing room. Your TA will inspect all personal items you might need to access during breaks.  
  • You will be required to have a palm vein scan before and after your break.  
  • You may request earplugs. Test centers have no control over noises made during exams.  
  • You will be asked to answer a questionnaire about your NCLEX experience at the end of the test. Once you’re done, raise your hand, and the TA will collect and inventory all of your test equipment and dismiss you. 

Note: If you have any examination concerns, you may call the EXAM Candidate Services toll-free number at 1-866-496-2539 or email info@ncsbn.org within 14 days of your examination. You can also email the same address for any questions about the examination.
 

After the Exam 

You can take a slight breather after taking the exam. Official results are available through your NRB and will be sent to you approximately six weeks after taking the NCLEX. If you have questions about the post-exam process, check out the NCLEX Post-Examination FAQ sheet.  

Retake Policy 

If you fail to pass the NCLEX-RN, you will receive your Candidate Performance Report (CPR). A CPR is a two-page document containing a brief explanation of how Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) works, the number of questions you’ve answered, and some suggestions on how to use the information listed.  

In general, you are allowed to retake the exam 45 days after taking it. That means you can take it eight times a year at 45-day intervals. However, it would be best to contact your NRB to confirm their local retake policy.  

Preparation Is Key 

Taking the upcoming NCLEX can be an intimidating task. Having and utilizing all of this information will help ease the test anxiety you might feel around the NCLEX. After you’ve done all of your prep, remember to believe in yourself and have the confidence that you’ll ace the test! 

PRS GLOBAL IS YOUR DIRECT HIRE STAFFING PARTNER 

Be a part of our global pipeline of nurses transforming lives today! PRS Global is committed to going the extra mile in turning your dream of being a global nurse into reality. We want you to be a part of our family, explore the world, and learn the trade through our direct placement capabilities. Contact us today!