NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination. You must pass it to get your nursing license in the US and Canada. Australia also uses it for some internationally qualified nurses.
Quick facts
- Made by: National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
- Two versions: NCLEX-RN (registered nurses) and NCLEX-PN (practical/vocational nurses).
- Format: computerized adaptive testing (CAT).
- Length: 85 to 150 questions, up to 5 hours. More on length.
- Cost: $200 in the US (rising to $350 on Feb. 1, 2027). Full cost breakdown.
- Where: Pearson VUE testing centers.
What the NCLEX-RN tests
The exam measures whether you can practice safely as an entry-level nurse. It is built around eight Client Needs categories and clinical judgment.
- Management of Care
- Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
- Reduction of Risk Potential
- Physiological Adaptation
See the percentages for each in the NCLEX study plan.
Next Generation NCLEX and the 2026 test plan
- The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) launched April 1, 2023, adding case studies and new item types to measure clinical judgment.
- The current test plan took effect April 1, 2026 and runs through March 31, 2029.
- The 2026 update was minor. One category was renamed (Safety and Infection Prevention and Control). Item types, category weights, and the passing standard did not change.
How adaptive testing works
- Get a question right, the next one is harder.
- Get it wrong, the next one is easier.
- The exam stops when the computer is 95% sure you are above or below the passing standard.
- Every question should feel hard. That is normal.
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Frequently asked questions
What does NCLEX stand for?
NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination. It is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
What is the difference between the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN?
The NCLEX-RN licenses registered nurses. The NCLEX-PN licenses practical and vocational nurses (LPN/LVN).
Is the NCLEX computer adaptive?
Yes. It uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT). Each answer changes the difficulty of the next question, and the exam ends once the computer is 95 percent confident you are above or below the passing standard.