NCLEX-RN Examination
The NCLEX-RN is the national licensing exam that every new registered nurse in the United States must pass before a state board will issue an RN license. It is a computerized adaptive test, so each question is chosen based on how the candidate answered earlier ones, and the exam can end as soon as a pass or fail decision is clear. The current test plan includes clinical judgment case studies from the Next Generation NCLEX.
Issued by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) · Official page
Who can apply
- Apply for licensure with a state nursing regulatory body (for example, CT Department of Public Health) and be declared eligible to test by that body
- Register and pay with Pearson VUE, then receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) before scheduling
- Complete a nursing education program that meets the licensing state's requirements
Exam
- Exam
- NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses)
- Format
- Computerized adaptive test (variable length). Items include Next Generation NCLEX case studies built around clinical judgment, plus standalone items with partial credit scoring on some item types.
- Questions
- Data unavailable
- Time
- Maximum 5 hours, including all breaks
Variable length: minimum 85 items and maximum 150 items. The minimum length exam includes 3 case studies (6 items each, 18 items total) and 15 unscored pretest items. Test plan effective April 2026.
Official fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration fee (U.S. licensure), current | $200 | Applies to registrations made before Feb. 1, 2027. Nonrefundable for any reason. | Official page |
| Registration fee (U.S. licensure), effective Feb. 1, 2027 | $350 | Applies to anyone who registers on or after Feb. 1, 2027, regardless of exam date, including retakes. First adjustment since 2000. | Official page |
| International scheduling fee | $150 | For testing outside the U.S., plus VAT where applicable. Nonrefundable. | Official page |
| Change nursing regulatory body after registration | $50 | U.S. licensure | Official page |
| Change exam type (RN/PN) after registration | $50 | U.S. licensure | Official page |
Only fees published by the issuer or regulator are listed. Blank amounts mean no official figure was available to verify.
Renewal and continuing education
- Cycle
- Not applicable
- Requirement
- The NCLEX is passed once. License renewal is handled by each state board.
Notes
National exam used by all U.S. state boards of nursing. Connecticut applicants apply to CT DPH and register with Pearson VUE.
Related careers
| Occupation | National median wage |
|---|---|
| Registered nurses | $97,550 |
Sources
- NCLEX Fees and Payment, accessed October 18, 2026
- NCSBN News: NCLEX Fee Changes Feb. 1, accessed October 18, 2026
- NCLEX-RN Test Plan Effective April 2026, accessed October 18, 2026
- NCLEX FAQs, accessed October 18, 2026
Verification notes
questions is null because the exam is variable length (85 to 150 items). The NCLEX fee pages do not state national eligibility rules, so eligibility reflects the registration process plus CT DPH's licensure by examination page. The original NGN launch date was not re-verified on a current official page and is omitted.
ConnectPrep is not affiliated with National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Credential names may be trademarks of their owners.