ALL WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT LICENSING IN THE
U.S.A & NCLEX
BY:
MAHA ALI AL-HADAB AL-SHAMMARI
WOMEN HEALTH NURSING MASTER
STUDENT-CSULB
EMAIL: M.5TH.SEASON@GMAIL.COM
1-What is the NCLEX?
NCLEX is a computer adaptive test examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States.
The exam will help the board of nursing to determine whether you are safe to practice nursing or
not. It is different than the nursing school type of questions where you memorize and pass, NO
that’s not how NCLEX examiners will write their questions. They will assess your critical
thinking in applying nursing actions and making the right judgment.
2- What are the categories and percentages of the questions in the NCLEX?
Category
Management of care
Safety and infection control
Health promotion and maintenance
Psychosocial integrity
Basic care and comfort
Pharmacological and parenteral therapies
Reduction of risk potential
Physiological adaptation
Percentage
17-23%
9-15%
6-12%
6-12%
6-12%
12-18%
9-15%
11-17%
3- How many questions is there in the NCLEX?
Every test taker will need to complete the minimum of 75 question up to 265 based on their
competency because the NCLEX is a computer adaptive test. You will have up to 6 hours to
complete the test.
4- Is there any breaks during the exam?
Yes, you will see a pop up box in your screen twice during the exam telling you that you can
take an optional break after 2.5 hours and 3.5 hours. It is optional not mandatory.
5-What are the different levels of questions in the NCLEX?
The list down here is showing the levels from the highest passing level questions (number one)
to the lowest non-passing question (number 4):
1-Analysis.
2-Application.
3-Uderstanding.
4-Recall/Recognition.
6-What type of question format that I might see in the NCLEX?
A-Select All That Apply:
You will lose the whole point if you choose one wrong answer, or miss one right answer. Extra
answer is not good and will not get you extra points.
B-Picture (Hot spot):
Usually they will show you a picture and ask you about a hot spot like “where can the nurse find
the Erb’s point?.”
C-Multiple-Choice questions:
This is will be the most frequent question that you will see in the exam.
D-Fill in the Blank:
This type of questions will ask you to do some drug, intake and output, or IV calculation.
E- Drag and Drop:
You will be asked to place answers in a specific order.
F- Graphic Chart:
In this question you will be given a specific graph and you need to read the information for
example you might see an ECG strip and you need to determine the rhythm or the heart rate in
order to make the right judgment.
For more information visit this website:
https://www.ncsbn.org/pdfs/01_08_04_Alt_Itm.pdf
7- When my computer screen will shut down?
Your exam will end and the screen will shut down in four cases:
A-If you have demonstrated the minimum competency which means the computer made a
decision that you are a safe nurse and you passed with 75.
B-If you have demonstrated the LACK of minimum competency which means the computer
made a decision that you are not a safe nurse and you didn’t pass with 75.
C-If you answered the whole 265 questions.
D-If you consumed the whole 6 hours.
8-What is the first step toward obtaining the RN license?
You need to submit an application to the state board of nursing that you want to study in. Every
board of nursing have a different requirements in order to be eligible and sit for the exam that is
why you need to go to the board website and check all the requirements and the application fees.
Please visit this link to direct to all the nursing boards in the U.S.A.
https://www.ncsbn.org/contactbon.htm
9-What is ATT?
It is an acronym for (Authorization to Test). After you have submitted the application, the fees,
and the required documents to the board of nursing they will decide whether you are eligible or
not. If you are they will send you an ATT so you can schedule an appointment to take the
NCLEX. Please make sure you check the ATT expiration date so you don’t delay the exam date
and miss the chance.
10-For how many times I can use the ATT?
ATT is valid for only one time.
11-I have received my ATT, how can I schedule my test date?
After you have received the ATT you can register to take the NCLEX with Pearson Vue website.
http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/
Registration fees is 200$.
12-What should I take when I am going to the test center?
You should take your passport, your ATT, and your appointment confirmation.
13-Am I allowed to use my cell phone in the break time or review my notes?
No. once you arrived to the test center they will give you a locker where you can put your bag,
notes, or snack and then they will ask you to turn off your cell phone and put it in a sealed case
and keep it in the locker till you are done.
14-When can I get my results?
Some nursing boards are participant in a Quick Result where you can check the unofficial result
within 48 hours. The official result will be send to your mail address from the board.
To check if your state is a participant in the Quick Result service please visit this link:
https://www.ncsbn.org/1225.htm
15-If I didn’t pass do I need to submit a new application?
If you didn’t pass the board of nursing will send you the official result and a report so you can
see your performance level in each section and with the report they will include a reapply
application and a fees information. You don’t need to send the board any documents this time
because they already have all your documents (your certificate, TOEFL, IELTS…etc.)
16-If I didn’t pass the test when can I reapply for the exam?
You must wait a minimum of 45 days before submitting the reapplication.
17-Can I transfer my license from one state to another?
Yes. If you had to move from New York to California for example then you get California RN
license by endorsement. Each board have specific requirement please visit your board website to
check their licensure by endorsement requirements.
18-Can I practice nursing or use my license in another state?
That will depend on your original state where you got your license from and the state that you
want to practice in.
Examples of Moving to Different States
From noncompact to compact:
You must apply for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residency. Your
individual state license issued by the noncompact state is not affected and will
remain active if you maintain licensure and if so provided by the laws of the
nonparty state.
From compact to noncompact:
You must apply for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residency. Your
compact license is changed to a single-state license valid only in that state. You
must notify the board of nursing that you have moved out of state.
From one compact state to another:
You can practice on the former residency license for up to 30 days. You will be
required to:

Apply for licensure by endorsement (It is recommended that nurses apply 1-2
months in advance of a move.)
 Pay any applicable fees
 Complete a declaration of primary state of residency in the new home state
You will be issued a new multistate license and the former is inactivated. You
must notify the board of nursing in the former residency state that you have
moved out of state. Proof of residency may be required.
Please visit this website to know if your state is a compact or not and get more
information:
https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm
Resources;
1- https://www.ncsbn.org
2- Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination by
Linda Anne Silvestri.