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GAPICTInternational Testing Centre
MedicalOwned by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)

NCLEX

National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN)

The nursing licensure exam used by US and Canadian nursing regulators.

Facts checked 21 October 2026

Duration
Up to 5h
Delivered through
Pearson VUE
Results
Official results come from your nursing regulatory body within about six weeks. Unofficial 'Quick Results' (USD 7.95) are available after two business days in participating jurisdictions.

Not yet available at GAPICT

Register your interest and we will contact you if NCLEX becomes available in Lahore.

Register interestHow to book

Overview

The NCLEX tests whether a nurse can practise safely at entry level. It is a computer-adaptive exam taken at Pearson VUE test centres. The NCLEX-RN is for registered nurses and the NCLEX-PN for practical or vocational nurses.

Who it is for

  • Nurses seeking registration with a US state nursing board
  • Nurses applying for RN registration in Canada
  • Internationally educated nurses whose regulator requires the NCLEX

Versions

NCLEX-RN

For registered nurses. Required by US boards of nursing and used for RN registration in Canada.

NCLEX-PN

For licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPN/VN) in the US.

Where it is accepted

  • Nursing licensure with US state boards of nursing
  • RN registration in Canada
  • Nursing registration in Australia, where the regulator requires it

Always check the current requirements of the university, employer, regulator or visa authority you are applying to.

Test format

NCLEX sections
SectionWhat it involves
Adaptive multiple-format itemsMinimum 85 and maximum 150 items, chosen by computer-adaptive testing. The minimum-length exam includes 52 scored content items, three clinical judgement case studies (18 items) and 15 unscored pretest items.
TimeUp to 5 hours, including all breaks.

Total time: Up to 5 hours (85 to 150 items).

Scores and validity

Scoring
Pass or fail. The exam stops when the computer is 95% certain your ability is above or below the passing standard, or at the maximum length or time limit.
Validity
A pass is used for licensure; it does not have a stated expiry. Each nursing regulator sets its own rules.

How long results take is shown at the top of this page.

Fees

Fees are set by the test owner, were checked on 21 October 2026, and can change. Confirm the price when you book. GAPICT never takes exam fees.

On test day

Identification

At international test centres, a physical, valid passport only. The name must be in Roman characters and match your registration exactly.

Arrive early, bring only what the test owner allows, and expect identity checks and a photo at check-in. Read our test day guide and exam day FAQs.

How to book

Exam seats for NCLEX are booked and paid on the test owner's own system. Delivered through: Pearson VUE.

  1. 1

    Apply to your nursing regulatory body, register and pay with Pearson VUE, then book once you receive your Authorization to Test (ATT). Changes to international appointments must be made by phone with Pearson VUE.

  2. 2

    Create or sign in to your account on the official booking site.

  3. 3

    Choose your exam, then a test centre, date and time.

  4. 4

    Pay the exam fee to the test owner and keep your confirmation email.

  5. 5

    Check the ID rules and arrive early on test day.

Book on official NCLEX website (opens in a new tab)

You book and pay in your Pearson VUE account. Rescheduling deadlines (often 24–48 hours) and fees are set by each exam programme.

GAPICT cannot take bookings for this exam. Exam seats are booked and paid on the test owner's system.

Need help booking?

We can walk you through the test owner's registration, step by step.

Book a free registration help session

GAPICT's status with these organisations

NCLEX FAQs

Can I take the NCLEX in Pakistan?
Yes. Pakistan is on NCSBN's list of international test countries. Pearson VUE opened a company-owned Pearson Professional Center at The Mall of Lahore in 2025 that delivers the NCLEX-RN.
What ID do I need outside the US?
A valid passport. Without it you will be turned away and must re-register and pay again.
Is the fee changing?
Yes. From 1 February 2027 the registration fee rises to USD 350 for US and Australian jurisdictions.
Is there a new test plan?
Yes. New RN and PN test plans apply from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.

Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 21 October 2026. If anything here differs from the test owner's website, the owner's website is correct.

NCLEX®, NCLEX-RN® and NCLEX-PN® are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.

NCLEX and related names are trademarks of their owners and are used here only to describe the test. GAPICT is independent of National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), is not endorsed by it, and is not currently an authorised centre for this test.

Related tests

Want to sit NCLEX in Lahore?

We are preparing to open in Lahore. Register your interest and we will contact you when your test becomes available at our centre.

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