To become a licensed registered nurse you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The NCLEX can only be taken after the nursing education requirements have been completed. There are two versions of the NCLEX depending on which nursing specialty you are entering. The NCLEX-RN is for registered nursing licensure and the NCLEX-PN is for practical nursing licensure. The NCLEX is administered by the local State Board of Nursing and test procedures and availability vary slightly from state to state. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is the organization that presides over the State Boards of Nursing and is the ultimate resource for nursing license questions.

Before you sign up to take the NCLEX exam try some practice questions to test your knowledge.

NCLEX-RN sample questions 1-20

NCLEX-RN sample questions 21-40

NCLEX-RN sample questions 41-60

NCLEX-RN sample questions 61-80

NCLEX-RN sample questions 81-100

If you prefer a classroom setting to study for the NCLEX exam or an online prep course there are several options.

Classroom Prep Courses For NCLEX-RN Exam

Kaplan Course – this course offers a classroom learning experience and a money back guarantee if you don’t pass the exam

Hurst Live Review – boasts a 98% pass rate and includes 20-25 classroom learning hours

Online Prep Courses For NCLEX Exam

Kaplan Online NCLEX-RN – this is Kaplan’s online nursing exam prep course designed for distance learning

Kaplan Online NCLEX-PN – for those who prefer to study in the comfort of their own home

Hurst Online Review – program costs $300 and includes online lectures to help learn material

Pearls Review – this web-based course offers NCLEX review materials for as little as $69

NCSBN Learning Extension – online review course for passing the NCLEX-RN test

NCSBN for NCLEX-PN – same as above but focus is on passing the NCLEX-PN exam

5000 NCLEX Practice Questions – self study at home program includes 5000 sample questions plus other helpful learning materials

NCLEX-RN Audio Learning – audio review program for those who learn better from hearing material repeated

Many local community colleges and nursing schools offer NCLEX exam review courses. Some people just need a quick refresher course which can be taken locally prior to your exam date.