How to Apply for the NCLEX-PN^® Exam

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During your last semester of nursing school, you will be given the following applications:

1. Application for licensure that goes to your state board of nursing/regulatory body.
2. Application for the NCLEX-PN^® exam that goes to Pearson VUE.

On a predetermined date, you will submit the completed forms and the required licensure fees to your nursing school.

Application Fees

• The NCLEX-PN^® examination fee is $200 ($360 CAD). Additional licensure fees are determined by each state nursing board. Refer to your state board of nursing’s website to determine your state’s fee.
• You are responsible for submitting the completed test application and the $200 fee to Pearson VUE. All applications will be processed by phone or online.

Registration

You can register for the NCLEX-PN^® with Pearson VUE using either of the following two methods:

1. Internet registration: To register online, go to pearsonvue.com/nclex (the NCLEX candidate website). Payment is by credit, debit, or prepaid card (using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express only).
2. Telephone registration: Call VUE NCLEX Candidate Services at 1-866-496-2539 (1-866-49-NCLEX). To register by phone, you must pay using a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit or debit card. Even if you register by phone, you must provide an email address to recieve communications from Pearson VUE about your registration.

Pearson VUE does not accept exam registrations submitted by mail.

Some states require that the testing application form and fee be sent along with the licensure application and fee.

For more information, visit ncsbn.org and download the 2019 NCLEX Candidate Bulletin. For questions regarding registering to take the NCLEX-PN^® exam, your Authorization to Test (ATT), acceptable forms of identification, or comments about the test center, visit the NCLEX candidate website (pearsonvue.com/nclex) or contact:

• NCLEX Candidate Services
• 1-866-49-NCLEX
• https://www.ncsbn/exam-contacts.htm
  

• NCLEX-PN^® Examination Program
• Pearson Professional Testing
  5601 Green Valley Drive
• Bloomington, MN 55437-1099
• pvamericascustomerservice@pearson.com

How Do You Know Your Application Has Been Received?

You will receive a card from your state board confirming that all of your information has been received.

Potential Problems with Licensure Application

Some states require that your permanent transcript be mailed with your application.

Here is a checklist to follow to avoid problems with your application:

• Have you met all requirements for graduation? Do you have any electives still outstanding?
• Has your nursing school received a permanent transcript for any credits that you transferred from another institution?
• Do you owe any fines or have any unpaid parking tickets? (This can delay the release of your permanent transcript. Check at your nursing school office, just to be sure.)
• Some states require that a statement be sent from your nursing school stating that you have met all requirements for graduation.
• Did you change your mind about the state to which you want to apply for licensure? If so, you must apply to the new state—and forfeit the original application fee.

What If You Want to Apply for Licensure in a Different State?

If you plan to apply for licensure in a different state from the one in which you are attending practical/vocational nursing school, contact the state board of nursing in the state in which you wish to become licensed (refer to Appendix D, State Boards of Nursing).

Here’s a checklist for obtaining a license in another state:

• Contact the state board of nursing of that state and find out what their requirements are for licensure.
• Find out what their fees are.
• Request a new candidate application for licensure.

After you pass the NCLEX-PN^® exam, you will receive your nursing license from the state in which you applied for licensure regardless of where you took your exam. For example, if you applied for licensure in Michigan, you can take the test in Florida if you wish. You would then receive a license to practice as an LPN in Michigan because that is where you applied for licensure.

When Can You Schedule Your NCLEX-PN^® Exam?

Pearson VUE will send you a document entitled “Authorization to Test” (ATT). The ATT will be sent to you via email at the email address you provided when you registered. You will be unable to schedule your test date until you receive this form.

On the ATT is your assigned candidate number; you will need to refer to this when scheduling your exam. Your ATT is valid for a time determined by the individual state board of nursing/regulatory body, and you must test before your ATT expires. If you don’t, you will need to reapply to take the exam and pay the testing fees again. With your ATT, you will receive a list of test centers. You can schedule your NCLEX-PN^® exam using the following procedures:

• Log on to the NCLEX Candidate Website at pearsonvue.com/nclex
• Call NCLEX Candidate Services
  • United States and Canada: 1-866-496-2539 (1-866-49-NCLEX) (toll-free)
  • Asia Pacific Region: +852-3077-4923 (pay number)
  • Europe, Middle East, Africa: +44-161-855-7445 (pay number)
  • India: 91-120-439-7837 (pay number)
  • All other countries not listed above: 1-952-905-7403 (pay number)

Candidates with hearing impairments who use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) can call the U.S.A. Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529 (toll-free) or the Canada & International Inbound relay service at 1-605-224-1837 (pay number).

Those with special testing requests, such as persons with disabilities, must call the NCLEX-PN^® Program Coordinator at NCLEX Candidate Services at one of the numbers listed above. If you require special accommodations, you cannot schedule your exam through the NCLEX Candidate Website.

There is a space on the ATT for you to record the date and time of your scheduled exam. You will also receive confirmation of your scheduled date and time.

Potential Rescheduling Problems

• You must test prior to the expiration date of your ATT. If you miss your appointment, you forfeit your testing fees and must reapply to both the state board of nursing/regulatory body and Pearson VUE.
• If you wish to change your appointment, you must notify Pearson VUE during business hours, at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. Call one of the numbers listed above or go the NCLEX candidate website (pearsonvue.com/nclex). If your test date is on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, make sure to call on or before Friday.

Do not call the test site directly or leave a message if you are unable to take your test on the scheduled date. You must follow the procedure outlined here.

When Will You Take the Exam?

The earliest date on which you can take the NCLEX-PN^® exam varies depending on your state, but the majority of students test approximately 45 days after the date of their graduation. Variables include when you submit the applications and fees, the length of time the ATT is valid, personal factors (weddings, births, vacations), and job requirements. Each state determines the requirements for graduate practical/vocational nurses, licensure pending. If you are working as a graduate practical/vocational nurse, you must be knowledgeable about the rules in your state.