NCLEX USA or NCLEX CANADA: Which one is better for you?

November 20, 2023

NCLEX USA or NCLEX CANADA Which one is better for you

National Council Licensure Examination is more popularly known as NCLEX, is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States and Canada. For the past decades, millions of Foreign Nurses from all over the world already stepped out of their own comfort zone, took this examination and are already entitled as a registered nurse or practical nurse in the USA or Canada.

With this blog, discover the details you need to know about the differences between NCLEX in the USA and NCLEX in Canada and which NCLEX RN or NCLEX PN exam is much better for Foreign Nursing Graduates.

All NCLEX examinations are under the guidance of an institution named the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc., or NCSBN Inc. They are the one who administers these NCLEX exams on behalf of its more than fifty State Boards of Nursing in the United States and more than twelve Regulatory bodies in Canada.

1. Step by step NCLEX Application

Before you can take into consideration the exam scheduling or planning where you want to take your NCLEX, you need to forward an application to a specific Board of Nursing in the US or Regulatory body in Canada. Always keep in mind that each Board in the US as well as the Regulatory body in Canada has a different set of NCLEX requirements, qualifications, processes of NCLEX registration, or regulations to follow.

STEP BY STEP APPLICATION

NCLEX USA	NCLEX Canada
(1) Sending documents to the Credentialing Body/Nursing board for evaluation of credentials (2) Once documents approved, register for ATT (Authorization to Test) (3) After ATT is approved, you can now proceed for your exam scheduling and book your preferred NCLEX test date when to take your exam. (The available NCLEX exam dates will be given to you once your ATT is already issued.) (4) Once you passed the exam, you can now claim your license soft copy or hard copy released by the Board of Nursing.	(1) Sending your NCLEX Canada requirements and documents to the Assessment National body. (2) Once you have the advisory report, apply for Assessment RN Eligibility to the chosen regulatory body. (3) Once documents are approved, register for ATT (Authorization to Test). (4) After ATT is approved, proceed to the exam scheduling, seat for the NCLEX Canada exam, claim your passed NCLEX Canada results and register for a license.

NCLEX USA

NCLEX Canada

(1) Sending documents to the Credentialing Body/Nursing board for evaluation of credentials
(2) Once documents approved, register for ATT (Authorization to Test)
(3) After ATT is approved, you can now proceed for your exam scheduling and book your preferred NCLEX test date when to take your exam. (The available NCLEX exam dates will be given to you once your ATT is already issued.)
(4) Once you passed the exam, you can now claim your license soft copy or hard copy released by the Board of Nursing.

(1) Sending your NCLEX Canada requirements and documents to the Assessment National body.
(2) Once you have the advisory report, apply for Assessment RN Eligibility to the chosen regulatory body.
(3) Once documents are approved, register for ATT (Authorization to Test).
(4) After ATT is approved, proceed to the exam scheduling, seat for the NCLEX Canada exam, claim your passed NCLEX Canada results and register for a license.

2. Exam Qualifications

NCLEX USA and NCLEX Canada have huge differences in terms of their exam qualifications.

WORK EXPERIENCE

NCLEX USA	NCLEX Canada
Not all BOARD of NURSING in the US require CLINICAL WORKING EXPERIENCE.	All Regulatory Bodies in CANADA require CLINICAL WORKING EXPERIENCE.

ENGLISH EXAM

NCLEX USA	NCLEX Canada
Not all BOARDS OF NURSING in the US require ENGLISH EXAM. Some states that require ENGLISH EXAMS are only limited to IELTS (International English Language Testing System), PTE (Pearson Language Tests), and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).	All Regulatory Bodies in CANADA require an ENGLISH EXAM. For NCLEX-Canada, ENGLISH LANGUAGE EXAMS are IELTS (International English Language Testing System), CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses) A candidate cannot proceed to the NCLEX Canada application without passing any English Exam stated above.

LOCAL LICENSE

NCLEX USA	NCLEX Canada
Not all BOARD of NURSING in the US require LOCAL LICENSE.	All Regulatory Bodies in CANADA require LOCAL LICENSE.

3. Exam Application fees

NCLEX USA	NCLEX Canada
Ranging $700 - $1500 for the over-all NCLEX exam fee depending on the State chosen by the candidate.	Ranging $1,600 - $2,100 for the over-all NCLEX Canada cost depending on the Province or Territory chosen by the candidate.

4. License Endorsement

Both the US Nursing License and Canada Nursing License can be transferred to other states or provinces/territories.

WORK EXPERIENCE

NCLEX USA	NCLEX Canada
License Endorsement is applicable to all states and even to some regulatory bodies in Canada but still qualifications of the applicant are needed to take into consideration. Some states in the USA have the privilege of having a multi state License. The members of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact or eNLC allows nurses to have one license to practice in multiple states that are members of the eNLC.	License endorsement is applicable to some regulatory bodies in Canada and some states in the USA but still qualifications of the applicant are needed to take into consideration.

NCLEX USA

NCLEX Canada

License Endorsement is applicable to all states and even to some regulatory bodies in Canada but still qualifications of the applicant are needed to take into consideration.

Some states in the USA have the privilege of having a multi state License. The members of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact or eNLC allows nurses to have one license to practice in multiple states that are members of the eNLC.

License endorsement is applicable to some regulatory bodies in Canada and some states in the USA but still qualifications of the applicant are needed to take into consideration.

5. Testing Centers available

NCLEX USA and NCLEX for Canada have the same testing sites available for NCLEX takers. There are more than 15 countries available to take both NCLEX USA and NCLEX Canada open for Foreign Nurses.

Conclusion:

Both NCLEX exams have different requirements, fees, and qualifications to consider. The pre-qualification process is an important step where you need to pay attention to, because, if you apply to a state that you don't qualify for, you won't be found eligible to take the exam and your application fees may be forfeited. If you don't know which state you qualify for, you may need to study one by one. If you are qualified it is important to know; how to apply to each required phase as some Boards require you to start from a different phase than others; how to fill out the related credential evaluation, criminal background check, eligibility, ATT and Scheduling applications; how to prepare the supporting documents in the required format, etc. Making mistakes during these phases can cause delays, rejections, or financial losses. The requirements and qualifications change frequently please make sure you are reading the most updated guidelines.

Alternatively, you can avail services of a licensing assistance center such as the pioneer and leading company NEAC Medical Exams Center and they can do all the work for you for a reasonable service fee while you only focus your valuable time on reviewing for the exam.

To know if you are qualified to be an NCLEX USA or NCLEX Canada taker or what US State you qualify to apply you can email us at online@applynclex.com.