Register for the NCLEX

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN exam) is designed to determine if it's safe for you to begin practice as an entry-level nurse in the U.S.  Many internationally-trained nurses struggle with the exam as it is significantly different from any test that you took during your time at nursing school. The NCLEX-RN® exam is not a knowledge based exam, instead it is application-based. You will be tested on how you can use critical thinking skills to make nursing judgments.

The framework of the NCLEX-RN® exam is based on, "Meeting Client Needs." You will see four major categories and eight subcategories. All of the questions you will face on the exam entail the use of integrated nursing content. You will be expected to integrate medical, surgical, pediatric, psychiatric and obstetric nursing content learnt as separate entities during your nursing program.

You can take the exam in London, visit Pearson VUE for more information.

Registering for the NCLEX Exam

To register for the NCLEX-RN® exam you need to submit an application to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

You can contact the NCSBN through their website. This will give you the contact details of the state you wish to work in and the individual procedures each State Boards require you to follow.

Some states have combined registration for the NCLEX-RN® exam with the application for licensure. In all other states, you must apply for licensure with the State Board of Nursing in the state in which you wish to become licensed. Once you have applied, you will receive a Candidate Bulletin to register for the NCLEX-RN® exam.

You need to register through the individual state boards to receive an Authorization to Test (ATT), the document you need to register for the NCLEX-RN® exam. You send this with your test application to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Register outside the US by phone by calling at 001-952-681-3815.

Exam and licensure fees

The cost to take the NCLEX-RN® exam is $200 plus $150 international fees. Additional licensure fees are determined by the individual State Board of Nursing.

Sending your application

You are responsible for sending the completed test application and the fee to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. You can register by phone by calling: 1-866-496-2539 in the USA 1-952-681-3815 for outside the USA