Resource Center

We continue to develop the REx-PN examination to support the valid and reliable assessment of the knowledge and abilities required to practice safe and effective registered practical nursing at the entry-level in British Columbia and Ontario. The nurse regulatory bodies remain committed to this aim and have dedicated this session to presenting a few updates to the REx-PN exam.

The REx-PN utilizes computerized adaptive testing (CAT) to produce a psychometrically sound standardized exam for measuring the minimal competency required to practice safe, entry-level nursing. This session will inform the audience how CAT exams work and how they leverage psychometric theory to produce a defensible and reliable score that supports a valid interpretation of a candidate’s ability.

Standard setting is a process developed by psychometricians and used in high-stakes testing to establish a legally defensible and valid passing standard (i.e. cut score). During this session, NCSBN staff will discuss the methodology used for REx-PN as well as the frequency with which the passing standard is re-evaluated.

NCSBN ensures the fair and secure delivery of the REx-PN by administering the exam under strict supervision and security measures. These measures help ensure the validity of the scores remain intact. The first part of this session will highlight the security measures NCSBN has in place for the REx-PN, including incidents that occur at testing centers as well as our confidentiality agreement with candidates. During the second part of the session, you will learn about the testing accommodation process, including the roles of the candidate, NCSBN, Pearson VUE and nursing regulatory bodies. Providing adequate and necessary accommodations to qualified candidates is also crucial for ensuring the validity and fairness of test scores.

NCSBN has several processes to ensure fairness for all groups taking the REx-PN. This ensures candidates with comparable nursing knowledge perform similarly on exam items, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or other factors irrelevant to nursing practice? This session will describe how Sensitivity and Differential Item Functioning (DIF) panels contribute to an exam’s fairness and legal defensibility.

Ever wonder how REx-PN items are developed? This session will explain the processes and steps every REx-PN item goes through before it can be used on the exam. Opportunities for educator involvement will also be highlighted.

Practice analysis studies assist in evaluating the validity of the test plan, which guides the content distribution of the REx-PN. This presentation will provide an overview of the evidence-based methodology NCSBN uses to determine what content should appear on the REx-PN.

We will explore the candidate registration process and the online resources NCSBN offers educators and students. This session will highlight what candidates should expect before, during and after the exam.

This annual report functions as a formal summary of NCSBN’s performance and activities during fiscal year 2024. This includes NCSBN membership achievements, financial and business information including operating statements and listings of the Board of Directors, committees and staff that follows NCSBN’s fiscal year spanning Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024.

The periodic performance of practice analysis (i.e., job analysis) studies assists NCSBN in evaluating the validity of the NCLEX-PN test plan, which guides content distribution of the licensure examination. This publication analyzes entry-level licensed practical/vocational (LPN/VN) nurse practice in the U.S., including the relevance of clinical judgment in the performance of nursing activities. Because changes can occur in LPN/VN practice, practice analyses are conducted on a three-year cycle.