Nursing School
NCLEX-RNRegistered Nurses Licensure Examination
The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is the licensure exam for becoming an RN in the US and Canada. Uses Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) and the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format introduced in 2023.
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Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Passing score
- Adaptive — measured against a logit-scale passing standard (currently 0.00)
- Format & length
- 85–150 questions · up to 5 hours (CAT format ends when proficiency is determined; per 2026 NCSBN test plan)
- Voucher cost
- $200 USD + state board fees (~$75–$200 per state)
- Prerequisites
- Graduation from an approved nursing program + state board approval to test
- Validity
- Lifetime license (state renewal requirements apply)
Exam facts sourced from the official NCSBN certification page. Last reviewed June 2026.
What’s tested
Key topics on the NCLEX-RN® exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official NCLEX-RN® exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- Safe & Effective Care Environment
- Health Promotion & Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity (Basic Care, Pharmacological Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential, Physiological Adaptation)
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
Nursing-school graduates pursuing RN licensure in the US or Canada.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
NCLEX-RN is the single highest-volume licensure exam in US healthcare. Pass rate hovers around 80–88% for first-time US-educated candidates.
Sample question
What a NCLEX-RN question looks like.
A 6-year-old child who had a tonsillectomy 3 hours ago is complaining of throat pain. The next scheduled analgesic dose is still an hour away. Which comfort measure can the nurse safely offer at this time?
See the answer & explanation
Correct: B. Offer ice chips
Why: Ice chips are appropriate once the child is alert and awake following tonsillectomy. The cold temperature promotes local vasoconstriction and a numbing effect that reduces pain and swelling while also limiting the risk of postoperative bleeding — a safe, nonpharmacologic comfort intervention during the immediate recovery period. Warm liquids such as soup or warm milk promote vasodilation at the surgical site, which can increase the risk of postoperative bleeding. Milk-based beverages may increase mucus production and are not recommended in the first hours after tonsillectomy. Oropharyngeal suctioning should be avoided unless clinically necessary because the mechanical trauma may disrupt the surgical site and trigger bleeding.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
1,318 questions covering every objective on the official NCLEX-RN® exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking NCLEX-RN® unlocks every other Nursing School exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
Read while you study
NCLEX-RN® articles & study guides
Best Certification Practice Question Banks: How to Choose the Right One
A practical guide to choosing certification practice question banks for IT, nursing, PMP, finance, real estate, cloud, and healthcare exams.
Best NCLEX-RN Practice Questions for Next Generation NCLEX
How to choose NCLEX-RN practice questions for the Next Generation NCLEX, what good rationales look like, and how to use practice banks without memorizing answers.
Best UWorld NCLEX Alternatives for Practice Questions
Comparing UWorld NCLEX alternatives? Here is how to choose between Cert Climb, official NCSBN resources, school remediation tools, and other NCLEX question banks.
NCLEX-RN Study Guide 2026 — Pass the Next Generation NCLEX on Your First Try
The NCLEX-RN is computer-adaptive and now uses Next Generation case studies. Here's what changed in 2023, how to think about clinical judgment questions, and a 6-week plan that gets nursing school graduates through.
What is the Passing Score for the NCLEX-RN in 2026?
The NCLEX-RN uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT), meaning there isn't a traditional percentage or passing score. Here is exactly how the Next Generation NCLEX grading algorithm works.
Best Pocket Prep Alternatives for Certification Practice Questions
Looking for a Pocket Prep alternative? Compare Cert Climb and other study options by free trial, question explanations, exam coverage, quiz modes, and pricing model.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about NCLEX-RN
What is the NCLEX-RN exam?
The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is the licensure exam for becoming an RN in the US and Canada. Uses Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) and the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format introduced in 2023.
How many questions are on the NCLEX-RN exam, and how long is it?
85–150 questions · up to 5 hours (CAT format ends when proficiency is determined; per 2026 NCSBN test plan)
What is the passing score for the NCLEX-RN exam?
Adaptive — measured against a logit-scale passing standard (currently 0.00)
How much does the NCLEX-RN exam cost?
$200 USD + state board fees (~$75–$200 per state)
Are there prerequisites for the NCLEX-RN exam?
Graduation from an approved nursing program + state board approval to test
How long is the NCLEX-RN certification valid?
Lifetime license (state renewal requirements apply)
How many questions does the NCLEX-RN bank have?
1,318 questions, organized into 8 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Nursing School exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the NCLEX-RN® content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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