Can you take the NCLEX at home? Online testing, test centers, dress code, and what to bring

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is developing an online version of the NCLEX to be taken at home, known as NCLEX Online. However, no official launch date for remote testing has been announced. For now, the NCLEX must be taken at a testing center. Test-takers are encouraged to follow updates directly from the NCSBN.

About the NCLEX-RN

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-adaptive licensing test for nursing graduates from bachelor’s, associate’s, or certificate programs. Passing the NCLEX is required to work as an RN in the U.S. and Canada, and it is one accepted pathway for some internationally qualified nurses seeking registration in Australia.

The NCLEX is available at testing centers in every state and at approved sites in several countries worldwide. As the NCSBN prepares to roll out at-home testing, candidates today should know how to register for the exam, what to expect on test day, and how to make their experience at the testing site as smooth as possible.

The NCLEX Online and future at-home testing

The NCLEX Online, currently in development, promises a convenient way to take the NCLEX from home. Compared with a traditional testing center, this version would offer candidates:

• Flexible hours and start times
• Easier access, especially for candidates abroad or far from a testing center
• More scheduling choices

The NCSBN is exploring technology and monitoring systems to keep remote testing fair and secure, so that candidates’ results remain valid and reflect their abilities. The software would include advanced ID validation, object detection, and full environmental scans to protect exam integrity and prevent fraud.

Here are some additional but important things to know about NCLEX remote testing:

• Both domestic and international candidates will be able to take the exam online
• The format of the NCLEX-RN will be the same at home and in the testing center
• Accommodations will be available
• Retakes will be flexible: if you need to retake the exam, you do not have to use the same format as your previous attempt

The remote NCLEX aims to give students who prefer at-home testing, those with disabilities, and those with geographic limitations a more accessible testing experience. Students who prefer the focused setting of a testing center will still be able to take the NCLEX at an official location even after the remote version becomes available.

For now, when you register for the NCLEX, you must take it at a testing center and cannot take it remotely. NCSBN has not announced a launch date or logistics for remote testing.

How do you register for the NCLEX?

Currently, the NCLEX can only be taken at designated testing centers for security purposes. Registering for the NCLEX involves several steps, so keep them in mind and prepare accordingly.

To sit for the NCLEX, nursing candidates must:

1. Have completed a state-approved nursing education program. This may include a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a hospital-based diploma program.
2. Apply for licensure or registration with the nursing regulatory body (NRB) in the state or jurisdiction where they intend to practice. Depending on the location, this may be the state board of nursing, an office within the state education department, or another designated regulatory authority.
3. Register with Pearson, the organization that distributes the exam.
4. Pay the $200 registration fee, plus $150 if you’re taking the exam internationally.
5. Receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email, which confirms eligibility to test.
6. Schedule an appointment to take the NCLEX at a local testing center.

When you arrive at the test center, you must have your ATT email ready for your appointment. Many candidates wonder whether they need a printed copy of the email, but a digital copy should be fine. Just make sure the email and any necessary documentation are available and easily accessible on your phone.

ATTs are issued by email once the state NRB declares a candidate eligible to test and registration with Pearson is complete. Remember, you must register with Pearson before you select your test date. Because each ATT is valid only for a period set by the NRB (usually 90 days), candidates must test within that window.

How do you sign up for accommodations?

Testing accommodations for the NCLEX are requested directly through Pearson VUE. Reasonable accommodations for those with learning differences or physical disabilities may include:

• Extra testing time
• Separate testing rooms
• Additional breaks
• Comfort aids

Each testing center may offer different accommodations, so contact your local testing site and ask about available support ahead of time. You may also need to provide proof of disability and other information so Pearson can best meet your accommodation needs. While you must register for your test within the timeframe set by your ATT, sign up for your testing date as far in advance as possible so your accommodation request can be properly processed.

Where can I find my NCLEX testing site?

The NCSBN provides an online “Locate a Test Center” tool on its website through Pearson. The NCLEX is offered at domestic Pearson Professional Centers across U.S. states and territories, as well as at approved international test centers in Canada, Australia, the UK, China, India, and about 15 other countries.

Note that in some countries, such as France and South Africa, there is only one testing center that administers the NCLEX, typically located in a major city. The NCLEX can be taken in either of two languages: English or French.

Can you take the NCLEX in any state?

Yes, you can take the NCLEX in any state, territory, or even abroad: you do not need to take it in the state where you plan to earn your license. Your results will be automatically reported to the state NRB with which you initially registered.

What should international candidates know?

International candidates looking to practice nursing in the U.S. or Canada, or who are using the NCLEX as part of their registration in Australia, have several testing options. Those seeking U.S. licensure can take their exam at either domestic or international test centers:

Test day logistics and more

What should I bring to the NCLEX exam?

On test day, candidates are advised to:

1. Wear comfortable clothing
2. Arrive early, at least 30 minutes before the testing time
3. Bring a government-issued, physical ID that includes a recent photograph and signature
4. Have your ATT ready

At the test center, candidates will provide biometrics and complete security scanning protocols. Personal devices will be collected and placed in plastic bags outside the testing room. An on-screen calculator, erasable board, and marker will be provided.

What should you not bring?

Test-takers may be denied admission or have their scores voided if they bring:

• Notes into the testing room
• Personal devices into the testing room
• Any illegal items

Remember, you don’t need a calculator (one is provided), and any study aids are strictly prohibited.

Is there a dress code?

While there is no strict dress code, keep items such as hats, gloves, scarves, and other accessories outside the testing room. You will likely be asked to place them in a locker or other secure area. Religious exceptions for headwear and other items apply.

How to study for the NCLEX-RN

To prepare for the NCLEX, you need to be able to apply practical nursing knowledge and medical information to real-world scenarios. The exams are difficult because they don’t just ask about specific procedures; they ask which procedure or procedures are appropriate in a given scenario, and why.

Below is a summary of the NCLEX-RN’s format and content coverage:

The NCLEX-RN requires complex diagnostic and clinical judgment, preparing registered nurses for careers working alongside doctors and other medical professionals to administer care and develop treatment plans.

After you’ve reviewed the content covered by the test, create a study plan that involves actively preparing for the exam:

1. Take full-length exams to prepare for the full testing experience
2. Use realistic practice questions that mimic the actual format of NCLEX questions
3. Practice applying nursing knowledge and medical facts to clinical settings to prepare for Case Study questions
4. End study sessions with a review by quizzing yourself

Regularly reviewing what you learned will help make tough topics stick.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the NCLEX

When will I be able to take the NCLEX online?

As of right now, there is no set date for the online, at-home NCLEX. Students looking for updates are encouraged to join NCSBN’s mailing list.

How much does it cost to take the NCLEX?

The NCLEX registration cost for nursing graduates in the U.S. is $200. In addition, candidates must pay a registration fee and the cost of a background check to their state’s licensure board. International candidates must also pay an additional international schedule fee of $150. Preparing in advance increases your odds of passing on the first try and avoiding a repeat exam fee.

If I reschedule my exam, do I have to pay the international scheduling fee again?

No, you don’t need to repay the international schedule fee if you reschedule your exam using the same ATT. However, note that international candidates cannot change their testing appointments online and must call Pearson’s customer service to update their exam day.

Can I take the NCLEX in another language?

You can take the NCLEX in French. This version of the exam is often taken by Canadian candidates who live in French-speaking provinces.

How is the NCLEX scored?

The NCLEX uses a sophisticated scoring algorithm that accounts for both the number of questions answered correctly and the difficulty of each question. Because the exam is computer-adaptive, questions get progressively more difficult as you go, and harder questions are weighted more heavily in your final result.

The test automatically ends once the software determines, with 95% confidence, whether a candidate is above or below the passing standard, or when the five-hour time limit is reached. Candidates answer between 85 and 150 questions. If an examinee answers all 150 available questions within five hours, pass or fail results are determined based on overall performance.

The only definitive way to know whether you’ve passed is to wait for your official exam results, which are usually available within a few weeks of your testing date. You can also check your state’s Board of Nursing (BON) registry, which publishes active RN license numbers for NCLEX candidates who passed. Candidates who fail receive a Candidate Performance Report (CPR), which helps them assess their performance and pinpoint areas for improvement.

When will I receive my NCLEX results?

The NCLEX website states that official results are sent to candidates within six weeks after their exam, via their jurisdiction’s nursing regulatory body (NRB). In the U.S., candidates can obtain unofficial results for $7.95 through Pearson’s NCLEX Quick Results Service (where offered), typically within 2 business days after testing. These preliminary reports, however, are not sufficient to certify someone as a nurse.

What do my NCLEX results mean?

The score reports given to candidates who pass and those who fail are quite different. Candidates who pass usually receive a report certifying that they successfully completed the NCLEX and can register as nurses in their state, though it offers limited feedback on performance.

Candidates who fail receive a CPR, an individualized, two-page document that provides information on their performance across various aspects of the exam. This information is categorized by test-plan content area and clinical judgment categories, allowing graduates to focus on the areas they missed when studying for a retake. Candidates who answered fewer than the minimum number of items receive an abbreviated CPR without diagnostic information. Every candidate’s exam is independently scored twice to ensure accuracy.

How many times can you take the NCLEX?

The NCLEX can be taken up to eight times in a single year, with a 45-day waiting period between attempts. While there is no official NCLEX “lifetime limit,” individual state nursing boards may set a maximum number of attempts before a person is unable to register as a nurse in that jurisdiction.

Conclusion

The NCSBN is developing an at-home, online exam experience that aims to maintain high standards of quality and security through extensive research, testing, and validation. There is currently no announced launch date for the remote NCLEX-RN. Until at-home testing becomes available, candidates should plan to test at an official testing center.