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One question per page, answered first, with the board's own source and the date we checked it.
Exam guides
- NCLEX-RN: the full guide
The NCLEX-RN has 85 to 150 items in five hours. It costs US$200, or CA$360 in Canada, for registrations before February 1, 2027.
- FNP exam, AANP board: the full guide
The AANP board FNP exam has 150 questions in 3 hours and costs US$315, or US$240 for AANP members. Checked November 10, 2026.
- FNP-BC exam, ANCC: the full guide
The ANCC FNP-BC exam has 175 questions in 3.5 hours and costs US$395, or US$295 for ANA members. You pass with a scaled score of 350.
- AGNP and AGPCNP-BC exams: the full guide
The AANP board AGNP exam has 150 questions in 3 hours for US$315. The ANCC AGPCNP-BC exam has 175 questions in 3.5 hours for US$395.
NCLEX answers
- How much does the NCLEX cost?
The NCLEX costs US$200 (United States, Australia) or CA$360 plus tax (Canada). From February 1, 2027 it is US$350 or CA$570.
- How many questions are on the NCLEX, and how long is it?
The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN each have 85 to 150 items, including 15 unscored items, and a five-hour time limit that includes all breaks.
- How is the NCLEX scored, and what is the passing standard?
The NCLEX reports only pass or fail. The passing standard is 0.00 logits (RN) and -0.18 logits (PN), in effect through March 31, 2029.
- How many times can you retake the NCLEX, and how long is the wait?
NCSBN allows up to eight NCLEX attempts a year, with at least 45 test-free days between them. Boards may be stricter. Each retake pays the full fee.
- When do NCLEX results come out?
Your nursing board sends official NCLEX results within six weeks. Many U.S. boards sell unofficial Quick Results for US$7.95 two business days later.
- How do you register for the NCLEX, step by step?
Apply to your nursing board, register and pay with Pearson VUE, then schedule after the Authorization to Test. A registration stays open 365 days.
- What is the Authorization to Test, and how long is it valid?
The Authorization to Test is the Pearson VUE email that lets you schedule the NCLEX. Your board sets its validity; the average is 90 days. No extension.
- What can you bring on NCLEX test day?
Bring one acceptable, non-expired, government-issued ID with photo and signature, and arrive 30 minutes early. Devices go in a sealed Pearson bag.
- How long should you study for the NCLEX?
NCSBN sets no study length and endorses no review course. Plan around your ATT (90 days on average, no extension) and a first appointment.
- What are the Next Generation NCLEX question types?
Every NCLEX has 3 case studies (18 items) and stand-alone items. The official tutorial shows 11 item types, including Bow Tie and Highlight Text.
Nurse practitioner answers
- AANP or ANCC: which FNP exam should you take?
The AANP board FNP exam has 150 questions in 3 hours for US$315, and the ANCC exam has 175 questions in 3.5 hours for US$395.
- How much do the AANP and ANCC exams cost?
The AANP board exam costs US$315, or US$240 for AANP members. The ANCC exam costs US$395, or US$295 for ANA members. Fees checked November 10, 2026.
- How many questions are on the NP board exams, and how long are they?
The AANP board exams have 150 questions in 3 hours (135 scored). The ANCC exams have 175 questions in 3.5 hours (150 scored).
- What is the passing score on the NP board exams?
ANCC requires a scaled score of 350 out of a maximum of 500. The AANP board does not publish a passing number in its 2026 documents.
- How many times can you retake an NP board exam?
The AANP board allows 3 FNP attempts or 2 AGNP attempts per calendar year. ANCC allows 3 attempts in any 12 months, 60 days apart.
- When do NP exam results come out?
The AANP board shows a preliminary result at once and emails the score letter in 3 to 5 business days. ANCC results are online after the exam.
- Who is eligible for the NP board exams, and when can you apply?
You need an active RN license, an accredited graduate NP program and 500 supervised clinical hours. Both boards give a 120-day testing window.
- How do you renew NP certification?
NP certification lasts 5 years. The AANP board asks for 1,000 practice hours and 100 CE hours, or an exam. ANCC asks for 75 CE hours and one category.
International nurses
- Philippine nurse to the United States: the exams and the steps
Philippine nurses need the NCLEX-RN (US$200, or US$350 from February 1, 2027), a state license, a VisaScreen (US$740) and an employer visa petition.
- Philippine nurse to Canada: the exams and the steps
Most provinces start with the NNAS Expedited Service (CA$750); Ontario and British Columbia differ. The NCLEX-RN is CA$360, CA$570 from Feb 1, 2027.
- Philippine nurse to Australia: NCLEX, OSCE and the steps
Start with the NMBA Self-check (AU$410 assessment fee). Stream B nurses pass the NCLEX-RN, then an AU$4,000 OSCE in Adelaide or Melbourne.
- Can you take the NCLEX outside the United States?
Yes. NCSBN lists 19 international NCLEX locations. Testing there adds a non-refundable US$150 (or CA$150) international scheduling fee.
- NCLEX in Canada and in the United States: what is different
Canada and the US use the same NCLEX-RN. Canada pays CA$360 plus tax (CA$570 from February 1, 2027); the US pays US$200 (US$350).
- The NCLEX for Australia: who needs it and what it costs
Stream B nurses take the NCLEX-RN (US$200, US$350 from Feb 1, 2027, plus US$150 outside the US), then an AU$4,000 OSCE in Australia.
Tables
- Nursing exam fee tracker: every fee in one table
NCLEX US$200 (CA$360 in Canada) until Feb 1, 2027; AANP board US$315; ANCC US$395; Australia OSCE AU$4,000. Every fee in one table.
- Retake rules side by side
NCLEX: up to 8 attempts a year, 45 test-free days apart. AANP board: FNP 3, AGNP 2 per calendar year. ANCC: 3 in any 12 months, 60 days apart.
- NCLEX pass rates by year, from NCSBN reports
NCSBN figures for 2021 to 2025. In 2025, 86.7% of first-time U.S.-educated NCLEX-RN candidates passed; 47.3% of first-time internationally educated.
- Glossary of nursing exam terms
35 nursing exam terms in plain English, from Authorization to Test and logit to OSCE and testing window, as the official bodies use them.
English for Nurses
- How to write a nursing note in English
Write what you saw, measured and did, with the date and time, in clear and factual English. Two sample notes and 15 charting phrases.
- SBAR: how to call a physician in English
SBAR means Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. A model call, sentence starters and how to read back a telephone order.
- Shift handover in English: phrases that work
Hand over with I-PASS: illness severity, patient summary, action list, situation awareness, synthesis by receiver. Model handover and phrases.
- Nursing abbreviations in English, and the ones that must not be used
The Joint Commission Do Not Use list has 9 entries, including U, IU, QD and MS. There is no national accepted list: use your facility's list.
- What to say to patients and families in English
Use everyday words, such as "high blood pressure" for "hypertension", then check understanding with teach-back. Phrases for every bedside moment.
- How to read a medication order in English
A complete order names the patient, drug, dose, route, frequency, date, time and prescriber. Check the five rights CMS names before you give it.
News
- What changed: nursing exam fees, rules and dates
A dated log of nursing exam and licensing changes. Next: the NCLEX fee rises to US$350 (CA$570 in Canada) on February 1, 2027.
- This week from the regulators: November 10, 2026
Ontario renewal opens November 18 at CA$386 plus HST, Ontario practice standards change March 1, 2027, and the nurse compact stays at 43 jurisdictions.