National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN)

National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN)

Credential: National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN)  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN)

Renewal Period: varies

The National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN) is offered by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Applicants are required to pass this exam as one of the prerequisite for state license requirement. Each state requires candidates for licensure to meet set requirements that include passing NCLEX-PN examination and education/ training from the state approved nursing school. Individual states administer NCLEX-PN exam to qualifying candidates. Candidates must refer to their state Board of Nursing for details about requirements, application process and the fees involved in sitting for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Links to all boards of nursing websites and contact information is available on the NCSBN's Contact a Board of Nursing page.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience
  • Education: Approved Program
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: varies

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN)

111 East Wacker Drive
Suite 2900
Chicago, IL  60601

Phone: (312) 525-3600

Fax: (312) 279-1032
Contact Page

Education/Training and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing does not maintain a list of eligibility requirements to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) exam. The eligibiltiy requirement for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is set by the State Board of Nursing. You must contact the State Board of Nursing where you are seeking licensure for their requirements to sit for NCLEX-PN exam. Links to all boards of nursing websites and contact information is available on the NCSBN homepage.

Written Exam

  • Safe Effective Care Environment
    • Coordinated Care (13-19%)
      • Advance Directives
      • Advocacy
      • Client Care Assignments
      • Client Rights
      • Collaboration with Interdisciplinary Team
      • Concepts of Management and Supervision
      • Confidentiality/Information Security
      • Continuity of Care
      • Establishing Priorities
      • Ethical Practice
      • Informed Consent
      • Information Technology
      • Legal Responsibilities
      • Performance Improvement (Quality Improvement)
      • Resource Management
    • Safety and Infection Control (11-17%)
      • Accident/Error/Injury Prevention
      • Emergency Response Plan
      • Ergonomic Principles
      • Handling Hazardous and Infectious Materials
      • Home Safety
      • Reporting of Incident/Event/Irregular Occurrence/Variance
      • Restraints and Safety Devices
      • Safe Use of Equipment
      • Security Plan
      • Standard Precautions/Transmission-Based Precautions/Surgical Asepsis
  • Health Promotion and Maintenance
    • Health Promotion and Maintenance (7-13%)
      • Aging Process
      • Ante/Intra/Postpartum and Newborn Care
      • Data Collection Techniques
      • Developmental Stages and Transitions
      • Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
      • High Risk Behaviors
      • Lifestyle Choices
      • Self Care
      • Community Resources
  • Psychosocial Integrity
    • Psychosocial Integrity (7-13%)
      • Abuse/Neglect
      • Behavioral Management
      • Chemical and Other Dependencies
      • Coping Mechanisms
      • Crisis Intervention
      • Cultural Awareness
      • End of Life Concepts
      • Grief and Loss
      • Mental Health Concepts
      • Religious and Spiritual Influences on Health
      • Sensory/Perceptual Alterations
      • Stress Management
      • Support Systems
      • Therapeutic Communication
      • Therapeutic Environment
  • Physiological Integrity
    • Basic Care and Comfort (9-15%)
      • Assistive Devices
      • Elimination
      • Mobility/Immobility
      • Non-Pharmacological Comfort Interventions
      • Nutrition and Oral Hydration
      • Personal Hygiene
      • Rest and Sleep
    • Pharmacological Therapies (11-17%)
      • Dosage Calculation
      • Expected Actions/Outcomes
      • Medication Administration
      • Pharmacological Pain Management
      • Adverse Effects/Contraindications/Side Effects/Interactions
    • Reduction of Risk Potential (9-15%)
      • Changes/Abnormalities in Vital Signs
      • Diagnostic Tests
      • Laboratory Values
      • Potential for Alterations in Body Systems
      • Potential for Complications of Diagnostic Tests/Treatments/Procedures
      • Potential for Complications from Surgical Procedures and Health Alterations
      • Therapeutic Procedures
    • Physiological Adaptation (9-15%)
      • Alterations in Body Systems
      • Basic Pathophysiology
      • Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
      • Medical Emergencies
      • Unexpected Response to Therapies

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN) examination:

Testing Information

Testing for this credential is handled by Pearson VUE. The test centers are located in the U.S. They also have some test centers on military bases.

To find out more, use the following links on the Pearson VUE website:

For more information on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) testing process, visit the agency website.

Additional considerations for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN) include:

  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in some states are known as Licensed Vocational Nurses ( LVN).
  • LPN nursing schools and educational programs typically involve one year of study and training at a hospital, community college or technical vocational school. Students should bear in mind that the program they choose must be approved by their state's Board of Nursing in order for them to qualify for nursing licensure.

  • The process to take the NCLEX begins with two steps:

    1. Submit an application for licensure to the board of nursing where you wish to be licensed.  This is in order to be made eligible to take the NCLEX. Be sure to meet the board of nursing's application deadline.
    2. Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

Click for more information.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here for more information.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

Click here for more information.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

Click here for more information.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

Click here for more information.

NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Home Health Aides
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Home Health Aides
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Nurse Midwives
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Nurse Midwives
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Nursing Assistants
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Nursing Assistants
This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: October 16, 2019
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