NCLEX-RN
Offered by NCSBN
The NCLEX-RN is the national licensure exam graduates take to practice as a registered nurse in the United States and Canada.
EXAM AT A GLANCE
Questions
85–150
CAT
Testing time
5
hours, up to
Client Needs
4
Delivery
Pearson VUE test center
Passing score
Pass/fail
Cost
$200
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What the exam covers
The NCLEX-RN assesses four Client Needs categories.
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity
About the NCLEX-RN exam
The exam uses Computerized Adaptive Testing. Questions get harder or easier based on your answers, and the test stops once it is confident you are above or below the passing standard. Next Generation NCLEX items are case studies about clinical decisions.
NCSBN writes the test plan. Your nursing regulatory body authorizes you to test.
Who it’s for
Nursing-program graduates seeking RN licensure.
- Format
- 85–150 CAT items, including Next Generation NCLEX case studies and 15 unscored items
- Pass or fail is decided by the CAT algorithm
- Testing time
- Up to 5 hours (includes tutorial and all breaks)
- Passing score
- Pass/fail, determined by the CAT algorithm against the passing standard
- Cost
- $200 USD is the NCSBN registration fee for candidates in the United States and Canada. Your nursing board may charge a separate licensure application fee. An international test center or a change of regulatory body can add fees. Confirm current amounts in the NCLEX candidate bulletin.
- Validity
- Licensure is maintained per your state/provincial nursing board's renewal rules
- Prerequisites
- Graduation from an approved nursing program and authorization to test from a nursing regulatory body
Official exam page· Details verified August 2026
Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.
How to prepare
01
Review the current NCLEX-RN Test Plan and its four Client Needs categories.
02
Practice Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) clinical-judgment case studies.
03
Focus on prioritization, delegation, and safety — high-yield across the exam.
04
Do large volumes of practice questions and review rationales, not just answers.
05
Simulate the CAT experience and pacing under timed conditions.
06
Decide how many weeks you need from your exam date and your current practice results, not from a single number you saw online.
FAQ
How long should you study for the NCLEX?
NCSBN does not publish a required number of weeks. How long you need depends on how recently you finished your program, how many hours a week you can study, and whether this is your first attempt. Start from your exam date and your practice results.
How many questions will I get?
Between 85 and 150. The number doesn't predict pass/fail — the adaptive algorithm simply stops once it's confident about your ability relative to the passing standard.
How long is the exam?
Up to five hours, which includes the tutorial and all optional breaks.
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