Resource Center

NCSBN produces a wide variety of publications, online courses, videos, brochures and newsletters presenting in-depth information and best practice techniques that contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.

Topic
Type
Audience
Knowledge Network
Year
  • 2026 NCLEX-PN Test Plan

    The NCLEX-PN test plan includes an in-depth overview of the content categories along with new details about administration of the exam as well as clinical judgment.

    2025  | Publications

  • 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan

    The NCLEX-RN test plan includes an in-depth overview of the content categories along with new details about administration of the exam as well as clinical judgment.

    *Dans cette publication, le masculin est employé sans préjudice afin d’alléger le texte.

    2025  | Publications

  • In Focus 2025 Vol 4

    • Distinctive Insights into Nursing Programs No One Else Provides: NCSBN Launches National Nursing Education Database
    • Embracing Change: The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta Wins NCSBN’s 2025 Regulatory Achievement Award
    • Pathways to Leadership: Leading with Purpose
    • NCLEX Online Update: Our Commitment to Public Protection is Non-negotiable
    • Reflections on the NLC 25th Anniversary in 2025

    2025  | Magazines

  • NCLEX Examinations Webinar Series: Exams Operations: Accommodations, Misconduct and Re-Entry 

    This webinar provides a brief overview of the accommodations, misconduct and re-entry processes. An Operations Exam Specialist walks you through a detailed session where you learn about the accommodations process, candidate rule-violation and misconduct procedure and the re-entry process for previous passing candidates.

    2025  | Recorded Webinar

  • Q&A Session Two 

    2025  | Event Presentation

  • Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) 

    The NCLEX is a variable-length computerized adaptive test (CAT). It resorts to modern psychometric theory coupled with the state-of-the-art computer-driven administration to deliver a psychometrically sound, standardized exams for evaluating candidates’ performance with the passing standard required to conduct safe, entry-level nursing practice. This session l describes the background and algorithms behind the NCLEX CAT methodology.

    2025  | Event Presentation

  • Standard Setting 

    Standard setting is a process used by testing professionals to determine the passing score on a test. It is an important step in establishing the validity and legal defensibility of an exam program. The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams are re-evaluated for their respective passing standards triennially. In this session, NCSBN staff discusses the steps involved in setting NCLEX passing standards.

    2025  | Event Presentation

  • Item Scoring 

    The current NCLEX examinations score items using one of three scoring rules: 0/1 scoring rule, +/- scoring rule or the rationale scoring rule. This session explores each of these three scoring rules by using examples that cover all eligible item types on the NCLEX exam. Additionally, the session covers general information about using the partial credit model to convert the item scores onto the NCLEX scale.

    2025  | Event Presentation

  • Research Updates 

    This session will focus on recent research projects related to the development of the NCLEX exam

    2025  | Event Presentation

  • Entry-level Nurses’ Clinical Judgment in the Transition to Practice Period 

    Newly licensed nurses require skills such as clinical judgment to make consistent and effective clinical decisions that support client safety. This session presents exemplary approaches to clinical judgment, highlighting the use of simulation in failure-to-rescue situations, as well as the application of a clinical judgment model in an emergency department nurse residency program.

    2025  | Event Presentation

  • Entry-level Nurses’ Clinical Judgment in the Transition to Practice Period: Q&A 

    2025  | Event Presentation

  • NCLEX Overview: Operations 

    In addition to developing the NCLEX, NCSBN provides daily operational, security and customer service support, dedicated by the Consolidated Services and Customer Experience departments, for NCLEX candidates, educators, and nursing regulatory bodies (NRBs). During this session, we explore the NCLEX registration process, online resources and exam security measures, highlighting what candidates can expect before, during and after the NCLEX. The session concludes with a summary of the NCLEX testing accommodation process, including the roles of candidates, NCSBN, Pearson VUE and NRBs.

    2025  | Event Presentation