How to apply for NCLEX | Step by step guide to register for NCLEX | Foreign Nursing Graduates

STEP 2: Send your papers to the Credentialing Body/Nursing Board for evaluation

Once you are pre-qualified and have already determined the best state for you to take the NCLEX, your next step is to send your school documents and other credentials for evaluation. The credentialing body will check the candidate’s documents' equivalency in the US education or Credential Evaluation Phase and determine if the candidate is eligible to apply for exam licensure to a specific State Board of Nursing or Eligibility Phase.

But take note: Not all states undergo the Pre eligibility or Credential Evaluation Phase. Some states go directly to the Eligibility Phase since each state varies in the application process.

STEP 3: Once your application is approved and NRB deems you eligible, you can register for ATT.  

The candidate will receive an Authorization To Test or ATT notification once the nursing board approves the ATT application. Note: ATT validity varies for each state.

Step 4: Once ATT is approved, you can proceed with the exam scheduling.

You can choose your preferred exam schedule that suits your ATT validity.

Step 5:  Take your NCLEX

On the day of your exam, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your exam and bring one form of acceptable identification. If you are late or arrive at the test center without acceptable identification, you will be turned away and may either submit a Reapplication to the board or register again for ATT or do both. You will also need to pay again for another exam fee.

Step 6:  Claim your exam result

Some candidates may access their unofficial NCLEX results two business days after taking their exam. However, the NCLEX results in the Quick Results Service do not authorize you to practice as a licensed/registered nurse. Only the nursing regulatory body you applied to can release your official results.

Not all states will mail you a copy of your candidate report or pass letter. Some states require the candidate to request a copy from the SBON to be able to receive it.

STEP 7: Get your License or apply for a license application

Not all BON will grant you a license immediately after you pass the NCLEX exam; some will ask you to complete a license application beforehand. For some states that require a license application, there are options for submitting that you can choose. These include - mail-in or applying online, depending on your BON requirement.

Due to this incredibly complex, confusing, and decentralized licensure application process for NCLEX, candidates like you are advised to seek assistance from a specialized application preparation center like NEAC Medical Exams Application Center.

So if you want to know:

• Which state are you qualified to take your NCLEX,
• What states are easier, faster, or more cost-effective to apply,
• The requirements and the cost of applying to a certain state