Latest News News See All News /about/news/all-news.page ncsbn news [x-request-id] = [506fcfd39fe52f49575fcbaea3e52693] [referer] = [https://ncsbn.org/current.htm] [cookie] = [JSESSIONID=E94C0A9396DC5C37B9D695BF1B53BBDE] [x-forwarded-for] = [10.1.98.9] [accept] = [*/*] [via] = [1.1 google] [x-real-ip] = [35.191.130.226] [x-forwarded-scheme] = [https] [x-original-forwarded-for] = [216.73.216.210,34.144.206.224] [x-cloud-trace-context] = [cb4841964f580040c67d80b06209c46c/6903173396453031851] [host] = [lsds] [connection] = [close] [x-scheme] = [https] [accept-encoding] = [gzip, br, zstd, deflate] [user-agent] = [Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)] about/news 4 en_US mflmx2is /default/main/NCSBN true ncsbn/News manual 2026-02-04 15:24:57 /default/main/NCSBN/STAGING 2026-02-04 14:42:18 en_US templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2026/tricouncil-for-nursing-urges-nurses-to-submit-comments-on-department-of-educations-professional-degree-designation-rule.xml.1770239837525_bak templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2026/tricouncil-for-nursing-urges-nurses-to-submit-comments-on-department-of-educations-professional-degree-designation-rule.xml.1770239837525_bak /default/main/NCSBN/WORKAREA/default mflmx2is 2026-02-04 14:42:18 mflmx2is mflmx2is templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2026/tricouncil-for-nursing-urges-nurses-to-submit-comments-on-department-of-educations-professional-degree-designation-rule.xml.1770239837525_bak mflmx2is 2026-02-04 14:41:00 /default/main/NCSBN News Update mflmx2is mflmx2is 2026-02-04 15:24:57 /default/main/NCSBN/WORKAREA/default/templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2026/tricouncil-for-nursing-urges-nurses-to-submit-comments-on-department-of-educations-professional-degree-designation-rule.xml.1770239837525_bak tri-council-for-nursing-urges-nurses-to-submit-comments-on-Department-of-educations-professional-degree-designation-rule mflmx2is mflmx2is 1 Tri-Council for Nursing Urges Nurses to Submit Comments on Department of Education's Professional Degree Designation Rule News Update 2026-02-04 14:41:00 /sites/ncsbn/news/news-details.page /templatedata/ncsbn/Vertical-Navigation/data/news.xml <p>The Tri-Council for Nursing calls on all nurses to submit public comments requesting the inclusion of post-baccalaureate nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, PhD) explicitly in the list of professional degrees before the March 2 deadline.</p> /images/news/2026-tricouncil-comments-720x480.png no yes <p>The U.S. Department of Education proposed rule related to the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act excludes nursing from the professional degree designation, a decision that contradicts workforce realities, federal policy and basic economics. The Tri-Council for Nursing calls on all nurses to submit public comments requesting the inclusion of post-baccalaureate nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, PhD) explicitly in the list of professional degrees before the March 2 deadline.</p> <p><a href="https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/3d8c2b58-0c32-4b54-adbd-efe8f931b2df/downloads/4470620d-7243-4d9e-be8a-87553280d545/2-4-2026-Tri-Council-DoE-Proposed-Rule-Stateme.pdf?ver=1770230867820" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read the Tri-Council Statement</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/ED-2025-OPE-0944-0001" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Submit a Comment</a></p> Tri-Council for Nursing Urges Nurses to Submit Comments on Department of Education's Professional Degree Designation Rule The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide an organization through which boards of nursing act and counsel together on matters of common interest and concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare, including the development of licensing examinations in nursing. NCSBN Organization FALSE yes SearchSection_News /images/news/tricouncil-ceos-720x480.png en_US mflmx13k /default/main/NCSBN true ncsbn/News manual 2026-01-27 11:34:44 /default/main/NCSBN/STAGING 2026-01-26 07:52:18 en_US templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2026/2026-ncsbn-environmental-scan-evidence-in-action-now-available.xml templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2026/2026-ncsbn-environmental-scan-evidence-in-action-now-available.xml /default/main/NCSBN/WORKAREA/default mflmx13k 2026-01-26 07:52:18 mflmx13k mflmx13k templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2026/2026-ncsbn-environmental-scan-evidence-in-action-now-available.xml mflmx13k 2026-01-26 08:00:00 /default/main/NCSBN News Update mflmx13k mflmx13k 1769534053987 2026-01-27 11:34:44 /default/main/NCSBN/WORKAREA/default/templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2026/2026-ncsbn-environmental-scan-evidence-in-action-now-available.xml 2026-ncsbn-environmental-scan mflmx13k mflmx13k 1 2026 NCSBN Environmental Scan: Evidence in Action Now Available News Update 2026-01-26 08:00:00 /sites/ncsbn/news/news-details.page /templatedata/ncsbn/Vertical-Navigation/data/news.xml <p>NCSBN's 2026 Environmental Scan is now available for free in the Journal of Nursing Regulation (JNR).</p> /images/ncsbn/25-JNRescan-720x480.png no yes <p>NCSBN's 2026 Environmental Scan is now available for free in the Journal of Nursing Regulation (JNR). The Environmental Scan provides a comprehensive overview of the health care landscape with a specific focus on nursing and regulation, helping them to strategically plan for the year ahead. In addition to nursing regulators, the Environmental Scan is also valuable to educators, employers, researchers and policymakers.</p> <p><a href="https://www.journalofnursingregulation.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2155-8256%2826%2900004-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read the Environmental Scan</a></p> 2026 NCSBN Environmental Scan: Evidence in Action Now Available The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide an organization through which boards of nursing act and counsel together on matters of common interest and concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare, including the development of licensing examinations in nursing. NCSBN Organization FALSE yes SearchSection_News /images/ncsbn/25-JNRescan-720x480.png en_US mflmwtl1 /default/main/NCSBN true ncsbn/News manual 2025-11-10 09:54:56 /default/main/NCSBN/STAGING 2025-11-10 09:54:22 en_US templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2025/the-necessity-of-innovation-protecting-the-public-through-progress.xml templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2025/the-necessity-of-innovation-protecting-the-public-through-progress.xml /default/main/NCSBN/WORKAREA/default mflmwtl1 2025-11-10 09:54:22 mflmwtl1 mflmwtl1 templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2025/the-necessity-of-innovation-protecting-the-public-through-progress.xml mflmwtl1 2025-11-10 09:47:00 /default/main/NCSBN Feature mflmwtl1 mflmwtl1 2025-11-10 09:54:56 /default/main/NCSBN/WORKAREA/default/templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2025/the-necessity-of-innovation-protecting-the-public-through-progress.xml the-necessity-of-innovation-protecting-the-public-through-progress mflmwtl1 mflmwtl1 1 The Necessity of Innovation: Protecting the Public Through Progress Feature 2025-11-10 09:47:00 /sites/ncsbn/about/news.page /templatedata/ncsbn/Vertical-Navigation/data/about-ncsbn.xml <p>Innovation is a necessity. NCSBN is exploring technology to improve how candidates take the NCLEX both inside and outside of traditional test centers.</p> /images/news/nclexarticle720480.png no yes <p><img src="/images/news/NCLEXonline-supporting-img-vertical.png" width="250" height="444" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 15px; float: right;" alt="" />Innovation in nursing regulation is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Nursing has become increasingly complex, patients are more acutely ill, health care is delivered in new ways and nursing roles continue to evolve. Nursing regulation needs to continue to advance to protect the public and the trust in nursing.</p> <p>"We cannot stand still in the face of rapid change," says Phil Dickison, PhD, RN, National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) CEO. "When we launched the Next Generation NCLEX&reg; two years ago, it was because we saw the need to find an even more precise way to measure the clinical judgment of nursing candidates."</p> <p>That innovation strengthened public safety, helping newly licensed nurses enter the workforce better prepared for real-world patient care. Better-prepared nurses mean better patient outcomes.</p> <p>With concerns about potential workforce shortages, maintaining a steady pipeline of new, qualified nurses also requires innovative thinking. NCSBN is exploring technology that will improve how candidates take the NCLEX both within and outside of traditional test centers.</p> <h3>Learning From Crisis</h3> <p>When testing centers closed during the pandemic, aspiring nurses faced delays in joining a workforce that desperately needed them. The health care system, already strained by the crisis, was cut off from an influx of new nurses.</p> <p>"The lockdowns taught us a stark lesson. We cannot rely solely on physical test centers," says Dickison. "NCSBN worked around the clock for three months to get test centers classified as critical infrastructure and reopened. That cannot happen again."</p> <p>As a result, NCSBN began developing technology so candidates can take the NCLEX online, making it less dependent on physical locations that could be disrupted by natural disasters, pandemics or other crises.</p> <p>Offering two ways to take the exam builds resilience against future disruptions and addresses the culture shift to a remote world, allowing candidates more choice. Dickison notes, "People will still be able to use test centers if they choose and the NCLEX will be the same rigorous exam no matter where you take it."</p> <p>Taking the NCLEX online would also make it more accessible. Not every candidate lives near a test center. For some candidates, getting to an exam site means significant travel, time and expense. Being able to take the NCLEX online removes some of these barriers to entering the nursing profession. Expanding where candidates can take the exam means expanding the pool of qualified nurses ready to serve their communities.</p> <h3>Innovations in Security</h3> <p>As testing environments evolve, so must security measures. Some observers have speculated about what taking the NCLEX online would look like, but according to Dickison, those assumptions miss the mark.</p> <p>"With any innovation there is always skepticism, and that's good. But people shouldn't make assumptions based on what they know about remote exams today," he comments. "Those exams don't meet our standard for security and integrity, and that's why we are building something new, something unlike anything available today."</p> <p>NCSBN is developing technology to ensure identity verification and exam integrity, preventing candidates from receiving assistance during the exam. This enhanced security will not just be for candidates online, but it will also be used in the test centers.</p> <p>"We are looking for two things no matter where you take the exam, the same measurement ability and maintaining and exceeding security standards," Dickison remarks.</p> <h3>Quality Before Timeline</h3> <p>This exploration has understandably generated a lot of excitement online, with many speculating about a 2026 launch date. But NCSBN has not set a launch date</p> <p>"To be clear, NCLEX online will not be launching in 2026. We do not have a timeline, we have a quality line," Dickison said. "When what we are exploring exceeds our high standard for quality, security and integrity, then we will launch and not until we reach that point. Our commitment to public protection is non-negotiable."</p> <p>NCSBN plans to share additional information as it becomes available. As development continues, Dickison's message is direct: "Don't believe anything unless you hear it from us."</p> <p>When a launch date is set, NCSBN will provide substantial advance notice and detailed information, including a demonstration of the testing experience so stakeholders can see firsthand how different it is from conventional remote exams.</p> <p>"We will bring them along for the ride just like we did with the Next Generation NCLEX," Dickison states. "I think when people see what we are building, they will understand not only how amazing this innovation is, but also how vital."</p> <p>For updates and the most accurate information on the NCLEX, follow the official NCLEX social media and join the email list at <a href="https://www.nclex.com/stay-informed.page" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NCLEX.com</a>.</p> The Necessity of Innovation: Protecting the Public Through Progress Innovation is a necessity. NCSBN is exploring technology to improve how candidates take the NCLEX both inside and outside of traditional test centers. NCLEX, NCLEX Online NCLEX FALSE yes SearchSection_News en_US mflmwsxm /default/main/NCSBN true ncsbn/News manual 2025-11-03 09:00:51 /default/main/NCSBN/STAGING 2025-11-03 08:56:26 en_US templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2025/interstate-commission-of-nlc-administrators-elects-2025-executive-committee-member-in-special-election.xml templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2025/interstate-commission-of-nlc-administrators-elects-2025-executive-committee-member-in-special-election.xml /default/main/NCSBN/WORKAREA/default mflmwsxm 2025-11-03 08:56:26 mflmwsxm mflmwsxm templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2025/interstate-commission-of-nlc-administrators-elects-2025-executive-committee-member-in-special-election.xml mflmwsxm 2025-11-03 08:50:00 /default/main/NCSBN News Release mflmwsxm mflmwsxm 2025-11-03 09:00:51 /default/main/NCSBN/WORKAREA/default/templatedata/ncsbn/News/data/2025/interstate-commission-of-nlc-administrators-elects-2025-executive-committee-member-in-special-election.xml interstate-commission-of-nlc-administrators-elects-2025-executive-committee-member-in-special-election mflmwsxm mflmwsxm 1 Interstate Commission of NLC Administrators Elects 2025 Executive Committee Member in Special Election News Release 2025-11-03 08:50:00 /sites/ncsbn/news/news-releases.page /templatedata/ncsbn/Vertical-Navigation/data/news.xml <p>The Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators, the governing body of the Nurse Licensure Compact, announces a returning member of its Executive Committee, elected to a two-year term in a special election.</p> /images/news/25NLCanniversary-NewsUpdate.png yes yes <p>CHICAGO &ndash; The Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators (ICNLCA), the governing body of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), announces a returning member of its Executive Committee, elected to a two-year term in a special election:</p> <p>Elected on Oct. 31, 2025:<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Vice Chair</strong><br />Linda Young, MS, RN, FRE, NLC Commissioner, South Dakota<br />Executive Director, South Dakota Board of Nursing<br />Term expires: Sept. 30, 2027<br />&nbsp;<br />The remaining current members of the NLC Executive Committee include:<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><strong>Chair</strong><br />Sherry Richardson, MSN, RN, NLC Commissioner, Tennessee<br />Executive Director, Tennessee Board of Nursing<br />Term expires: Sept. 30, 2027<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Treasurer</strong><br />Samuel Delp, PhD, MPA, NLC Commissioner, Colorado<br />Division Director, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies<br />Term expires: Sept. 30, 2026<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Member-at-Large&nbsp;</strong><br />Kristin Benton, DNP, RN, NLC Commissioner, Texas<br />Executive Director, Texas Board of Nursing<br />Term expires: Sept. 30, 2027<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Member-at-Large&nbsp;</strong><br />Mary E. Fortier, EdD, RN, CNL, NLC Commissioner, New Jersey<br />Executive Director, New Jersey Board of Nursing<br />Term expires: Sept. 30, 2026<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Member-at-Large</strong><br />Kelly Jenkins, MSN, RN, NE-BC, NLC Commissioner, Kentucky<br />Executive Director, Kentucky Board of Nursing<br />Term expires: Sept. 30, 2026<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Member-at-Large</strong><br />Crystal Tillman, DNP, RN, CNP, FRE, NLC Commissioner, North Carolina<br />Chief Executive Officer, North Carolina Board of Nursing<br />Term expires: Sept. 30, 2027</p> <p>For more information about the NLC, contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nursecompact@ncsbn.org"><strong>nursecompact@ncsbn.org</strong></a>&nbsp;or visit&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nursecompact.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cmgrossenbacher%40ncsbn.org%7C80a7a8c7726e4cddca1608de18c0c60e%7C5175da3be04749b5ad2fca355a6b37a3%7C0%7C0%7C638975413404806208%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=8Hm9F7ZbjW%2Fnp2QhLmd4IPw5pGiybmHg%2BhTxe2BS6sY%3D&amp;reserved=0"><strong>nursecompact.com</strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>About the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators (ICNLCA)</strong><br />The ICNLCA facilitates cross border nursing practice through the implementation of the nationally recognized, multistate license, the NLC. The ICNLCA enhances nurse mobility and public protection through maintaining uniform licensure standards among party state boards of nursing; promoting cooperation and collaboration between party states, facilitating the exchange of data and information between party states; and educating stakeholders. The ICNLCA is a quasi-governmental and joint public agency of the party states created and established on July 20, 2017. The Executive Committee is the seven-member elected leadership of the ICNLCA.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>About the NLC</strong><br />The NLC allows for RNs and LPN/VNs to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice in person or via telehealth in both their home state and other NLC states. There are 43 jurisdictions that are members of the NLC. Licensing standards are aligned in NLC states, so all nurses applying for a multistate license are required to meet the same standards, which include a federal and state criminal background check that will be conducted for all applicants for multistate licensure.</p> <p>The NLC also enables nurses to provide telehealth nursing services to patients located across the country without having to obtain additional licenses. In the event of a disaster, nurses from multiple states can easily respond to supply vital services. Additionally, almost every nurse, including primary care nurses, case managers, transport nurses, school and hospice nurses, among many others, needs to routinely cross state boundaries to provide the public with access to nursing services, and a multistate license facilitates this process.</p> Interstate Commission of NLC Administrators Elects 2025 Executive Committee Member in Special Election The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide an organization through which boards of nursing act and counsel together on matters of common interest and concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare, including the development of licensing examinations in nursing. Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators, ICNLCA, nurse licensure compact, nlc, special election, executive committee Compacts, NCSBN Organization, Nurse Licensure Compact FALSE yes

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News Update

Tri-Council for Nursing Urges Nurses to Submit Comments on Department of Education's Professional Degree Designation Rule

The Tri-Council for Nursing calls on all nurses to submit public comments requesting the inclusion of post-baccalaureate nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, PhD) explicitly in the list of professional degrees before the March 2 deadline.

Posted 02/04/2026

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News Update

2026 NCSBN Environmental Scan: Evidence in Action Now Available

NCSBN's 2026 Environmental Scan is now available for free in the Journal of Nursing Regulation (JNR).

Posted 01/26/2026

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Feature

The Necessity of Innovation: Protecting the Public Through Progress

Innovation is a necessity. NCSBN is exploring technology to improve how candidates take the NCLEX both inside and outside of traditional test centers.

Posted 11/10/2025

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News Release

Interstate Commission of NLC Administrators Elects 2025 Executive Committee Member in Special Election

The Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators, the governing body of the Nurse Licensure Compact, announces a returning member of its Executive Committee, elected to a two-year term in a special election.

Posted 11/03/2025

Read More