All Nursing Exams

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.

Checked November 10, 2026

Short answer: Your nursing regulatory body sends your official NCLEX result, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) says it will be sent to you within six weeks after the exam, although the time varies by board. If you are seeking a U.S. license and your board takes part in the Quick Results Service, you can buy an unofficial result for US$7.95 two business days after the exam.

Who sends the official result

Only your nursing regulatory body (NRB) sends the official result. The NRB is the board or regulator where you applied for your license or registration. NCSBN, Pearson and the test center do not give results, and NCSBN asks candidates not to call them about results.

You will not learn your result at the test center. The computer scores each item while you test, but no result is released there, and the test center staff cannot see it.

Here is what happens after you finish:

  • Every NCLEX is scored twice for quality control: once by the computer at the test center, and again after the exam record reaches Pearson.
  • The result is sent electronically to the board where you applied.
  • The board releases your official result. After that, the result is available to all NRBs.

How long the official result takes

NCSBN says official results are sent within six weeks after the exam, and that this time varies across boards. Ask your own board how it sends results and how long it usually takes.

If more than six weeks have passed and you have no result, contact your board. If you failed, the board sends you a Candidate Performance Report. See How many times can you retake the NCLEX?.

Quick Results: unofficial results in the United States

Quick Results is an optional, paid service.

Point What NCSBN states
Price US$7.95, charged to a credit card
When you are charged Only if your results are available
Where you buy it In your Pearson account: "My Account", then "Quick Results", then "Purchase"
Who can use it U.S. licensure candidates whose board takes part
What it is not It does not authorize you to practice as a licensed or registered nurse

The Quick Results page listed 52 participating boards when we read it. The list covers every state except Delaware, plus the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Delaware, Guam and American Samoa did not appear on the list. Check the page for your own board before you plan on Quick Results.

The timing wording is not the same on every NCSBN page

NCSBN describes the Quick Results timing in three ways:

  • The Results page, the Quick Results page and the Candidate Bulletin say two business days after the exam.
  • The NCLEX frequently asked questions say 48 hours after the exam date and time.
  • The 2024 brochure for candidates who have finished the exam says 48 business hours.

Most NCSBN sources say two business days, so that is the safest plan. If the timing matters to you, ask your board.

Canada and Australia

Quick Results is not available if you are seeking licensure or registration in Canada or Australia. Your result comes only from your regulator. The bulletin's six-week statement is about all nursing regulatory bodies, and it says the time varies, so ask your regulator what to expect. For other differences, see NCLEX in Canada and in the United States: what is different.

What to do next

  1. Find your board on the Quick Results list before exam day, if you are seeking a U.S. license.
  2. Keep your Pearson account login ready so you can buy Quick Results two business days after the exam.
  3. Watch for your board's email or letter, and contact the board if six weeks pass with no result.

Common questions

Does the number of questions tell me if I passed?

No. NCSBN says the number of items alone does not decide or reveal the result.

Can I buy Quick Results before two business days have passed?

The Quick Results page says unofficial results are available two business days after the exam. Your card is charged only when results are available.

Do I get a score with my result?

No. NCSBN reports only pass or fail. See How is the NCLEX scored?.

Prep from our team

NCLEXPace has 3,200+ NCLEX-RN practice questions with rationales, Next Generation NCLEX case studies and CAT Readiness Exams. You can try 10 free questions without payment. All Nursing Exams, NCLEXPace and NPractitioner are run by the same team. See https://www.nclexpace.com.

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