Resource Center

This annual publication provides national and state summary data of member boards’ licensure activities, as well as data on candidate performance on the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN Examinations. On Jan. 5, 2015, the first candidates were able to take the NCLEX-RN for purposes of licensure/registration in Canada. This publication provides a detailed breakdown of candidate performance for 2016, as well as historical data. 

The NCLEX is administered under strict supervision and security measures as a part of NCSBN’s mission to promote patient safety and public protection. This webinar will take a behind-the-scenes look at the security measures in place at the testing centers, case reporting via our new platform Service Direct and the Results Cancellation Process. At the end of this webinar, nursing regulatory body participants will be able to better understand candidate cases as well as their role in the Results Cancellation Process. 

To ensure public protection, each jurisdiction requires candidates for practical nurse licensure to meet set requirements that include passing an examination that measures the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level practical nurse. NCSBN develops a licensure examination, the NCLEX-PN, which is used by jurisdictions to assist in making licensure decisions. Triennially, NCSBN conducts the NCLEX-PN Practice Analysis to analyze entry-level PN practice. Using the data collected from the practice analysis, NCSBN develops the NCLEX Test Plan which guides the selection of content and behaviors to be tested during NCLEX administration. In April 2017, the new 2017 NCLEX-PN Test Plan will become effective. This webinar will provide an overview of the 2017 NCLEX-PN Test Plan, including new information effective with the test plan revision.

Standard setting is a process used to determine a cut point on an ability continuum. Examinees scoring above the cut point are considered competent and able to practice safely and effectively. The NCSBN Board of Directors re-evaluates the passing standard every three years or when the test plan changes. This webinar provides a brief description of how the standard setting method (Modified Angoff) used by NCSBN works and information on how NCLEX standard setting is conducted using a small test example.

This webinar discusses the principles of item writing with a focus on writing NCLEX-style items.

This annual publication provides national and state summary data of member boards’ licensure activities, as well as data on candidate performance on the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN Examinations.

This article addresses the issue of how to detect item preknowledge using item response time data in two computer-based large-scale licensure examinations. Item preknowledge is indicated by an unexpected short response time and a correct response. Two samples were used for detecting item preknowledge for each examination. The first sample was from the early stage of the operational test and was used for item calibration. The second sample was from the late stage of the operational test, which may feature item preknowledge. The purpose of this research was to explore whether there was evidence of item preknowledge and compromised items in the second sample using the parameters estimated from the first sample. The results showed that for one nonadaptive operational examination, two items (of 111) were potentially exposed, and two candidates (of 1,172) showed some indications of preknowledge on multiple items. For another licensure examination that featured computerized adaptive testing, there was no indication of item preknowledge or compromised items. Implications for detected aberrant examinees and compromised items are discussed in the article.

The candidate version of the NCLEX-RN examination test plan includes an in-depth overview of the content categories along with details about the administration of the exam. 

*Dans cette publication, le masculin est employé sans préjudice afin d’alléger le texte. 

The educator version of the 2016 NCLEX-RN Test Plan includes an in-depth overview of the content categories along with details about the administration of the exam.

This periodic performance of practice analyses (i.e., job analysis) studies assists NCSBN in evaluating the validity of the test plan that guides content distribution of the licensure examination. Because changes can occur in licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN) practice, practice analyses are conducted on a three-year cycle.

Nursing regulators, nursing educators and candidates remain actively engaged in the NCLEX. As such, we receive a number of questions about the NCLEX on topics ranging from examination development principles and sample content, to exam administration and using computerized adaptive testing, or CAT. We have compiled these questions and answers, and invite you to join us as we uncover the NCLEX FAQs

Practitioner wellness is a patient safety issue impacting an increasing number of practitioners each year. It is a complex problem that demands a comprehensive and transparent approach in identifying, treating, and preventing burnout and other stress-related conditions.