Any nursing graduate dreaming of practicing in the U.S. or Canada has to clear the NCLEX exam. The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), run and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), is intended to evaluate the competence of nurses who want to work in the U.S. or Canada. It is necessary to pass the NCLEX exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Practical/Vocational Nurse (PN). All you need to know about the NCLEX Exam booking will be covered in this blog, from understanding what it is to how to book the NCLEX exam, along with some tips to ensure your booking process runs smoothly!

The NCLEX or National Council Licensure Examination is a systemized exam for Nursing candidates to become licensed Nurses in the U.S. or Canada. Its purpose is to assess a candidate’s minimum level of knowledge required to provide safe and efficient entry-level nursing care.

There are two types of NCLEX exam:

• NCLEX-RN: For those seeking licensure as a Registered Nurse
• NCLEX-PN: For those seeking licensure as a Practical/Vocational Nurse

The level of nursing practice depends on each exam measure, which is to understand the main difference between NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. To be qualified to take the NCLEX exam, candidates must fulfill certain standards specified by their respective Nursing Regulatory Bodies (NRB). This usually includes graduating from an accredited nursing program and attaining an Authorization to test (ATT) from the NRB.

The NCLEX uses a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) to design its questions according to the candidate’s ability. This implies that the test adjusts itself as you answer them. In addition to multiple-choice questions (MCQs), the exam also includes other question types such as fill-in-the-blanks, drag-and-drop, and hot spots.

The candidates who plan to appear for the NCLEX must fulfill some requirements:

1. Graduating from an accredited Nursing program: Applicants should complete a nursing program that is recognized and accredited by the Nursing Regulatory body. It can be a Practical Nursing Diploma, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A Practical Nursing Diploma allows the candidate to take the NCLEX-PN. Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing allows the candidate to take NCLEX-RN.The candidates can take the NCLEX exam after just 45 days of graduating.
2. Application to the Nursing Regulatory Body: After Graduating, the candidates must apply to the NRB through Pearson VUE, in the state province they wish to practice. The NRB will decide whether the candidate is qualified to take NCLEX
3. Approval to take the exam: Once the NRB is satisfied with the qualifications and documents provided by the candidate, the NRB will approve their application to take NCLEX. The candidates will receive the Authorization to Test (ATT).

The documents required by the NRB can differ, but generally consist of the following:

1. Completed application form: The candidates must complete and submit an application form to the NRB. This form can be usually accessible on the NRB website.
2. Proof of Graduation: The candidates must provide a valid diploma or transcript of the nursing program, proving their successful completion of the course.
3. Identification Documents: Valid Government-issued identification documents such as Passport, Driver’s License, or National ID card.
4. Authorization to Test: Once the NRB verifies your eligibility, you will receive an email from Pearson VUE. This document is essential to schedule your NCLEX Exam.
5. Application fee: You are then required to pay an application fee to the NRB. This fee can vary depending on the state or province. The exam can cost up to 200 USD for the candidates seeking to work in the U.S. or Australia and about 360 USD for those planning to work in Canada.
6. Background check: Some NRBs require criminal background checks such as fingerprinting or other types of documentation.
7. Other documents: In certain states, it may be a requirement to provide proof of English proficiency for non-English speakers.

Booking your NCLEX exam involves several steps, from ensuring eligibility to scheduling your test date. We will guide you through the step-by-step process of booking your next NCLEX exam, so you won’t have to worry about anything!

• Application of Licensure with NRB: To start your NCLEX exam booking process, first find out your Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB) in the state or province where you wish to practice. You can then visit the NRB’s official website to obtain the licensure application form. Ensure that you complete the form with accurate up-to-date information and gather the required documents, such as a valid proof of identification and proof of graduation from an accredited nursing program.  After collecting all the necessary documents, pay the licensure fee as specified by the NRB. Submit the application and documents, then wait for the NRB to process and confirm your eligibility, which can take up to a few weeks. This confirmation ensures that you meet all the requirements for taking NCLEX exam, and is indeed a vital step in achieving your nursing licensure.
• Register with Pearson VUE:  Once you get the confirmation from the confirmation from NRB, proceed to the next step, which is to register with Pearson VUE. Create an account with Pearson VUE by following the instructions. Once the account is created, log in to your Pearson VUE account and select the appropriate exam for your licensure application, either NCLEX-RN or NCLE-PN. Complete the registration procedure by providing accurate information, which typically includes your details and eligibility information as required by the NRB. After filling in the necessary details, you will need to pay the NCLEX Exam fee. The exam fees for US candidates are 200 USD and the candidates for Canada have to pay 360 USD. This payment can be done conveniently using credit or debit cards. Ensure that your payment information is entered correctly to avoid any delays in your registration. Once the payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation and your registration for NCLEX exam will be complete. 

• Receive your Authorization to Test:  After your registration and payment are processed, the next step is to wait for the Authorization to Test (ATT) email from Pearson VUE. Once you receive the ATT email, it is important to carefully check all the details. Ensure that your name is spelled correctly and matches the identification you will bring to the exam center. verify your Candidate Identification Number (CIN) and the authorization period, which specifies the period within which you take the exam.

• Schedule your NCLEX Exam: Schedule your NCLEX Exam by logging in to your Pearson VUE account using your credentials. From the list of locations for the test centers, select one that is most convenient for you. Next, choose an available date and time that fits your schedule within the authorization period specified in your ATT mail. After reviewing all the information submitted and you are satisfied with it, confirm the booking. This step finalizes the exam appointment and brings you one step closer to taking the NCLEX Exam and your dream of achieving nursing licensure.

Once you have booked your NCLEX exam, the wait for the Exam date begins. It is crucial to review the test center policies before the exam day to ensure you comply with all the rules and regulations. Make sure you bring everything needed on the exam day. Prepare your documents and confirm that the name on your proof of identification is the same as that on the Authorization to Test (ATT). Additionally, plan your travel to the test center carefully, which will help you arrive on time and reduce stress, ensuring you are in a calm and prepared state. Proper preparation and planning are key to a smooth and successful exam experience.

After The Exam

You will have to wait for your results after completing your NCLEX exam. This will typically take around a few weeks and will be given to the Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB). The NRB will award you with your nursing licensure if you pass the examination. If you somehow couldn’t pass the exam, you will be given a Candidate Performance Report (CPR). This report will highlight the areas you need to improve and provides insights on how you performed on the exam.

The list of NCLEX Exam test centers for Indian candidates are give below:

• Hyderabad
• Pune
• Surat
• Mumbai
• Ahmedabad
• Chennai
• Gurugram
• Bangalore
• Noida
• New Delhi
• Chandigarh
• Jalandhar
• Amritsar

Scheduling the NCLEX exam is essential for advancing in your nursing career journey. By following our blog, you can complete the booking process and navigate it with confidence.  To become a licensed nurse, you have to carefully plan , organize and have a calm mindset. Good luck! For your next NCLEX journey.