LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION
The North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) uses the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX®) prepared by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to measure competence for entry-level practice for graduates of Board-approved nursing education programs. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has contracted with Pearson VUE to administer NCLEX®.
Eligibility requirements for examination:
1) Completion of a Board approved nursing program (RN or LPN)
For NC graduates, the programs will electronically verify completion.
For US graduates outside of NC, an official transcript with degree conferred and date of conferral identified.
All transcripts to be mailed to:
NCBON
Exam Department
PO Box 2506
Raleigh, NC 27602-2506
2) Completion of a nursing program outside of the US that is designed to provide graduates with comparable education preparation as required in Board approved programs.
A credentials evaluation of education.
Evidence of English language proficiency
International graduates click here for detailed information
Registration Process for licensure by examination:
1. Submit an application for licensure in North Carolina. The application for licensure by exam for NC is an on-line application and is valid until you are declared eligible and issued an ATT up to a maximum of 1 year.
2. Meet all of the board of nursing’s eligibility requirements to take the NCLEX® examination.
3. Register and pay for the NCLEX® examination with Pearson VUE.
4. Receive eligibility from your board of nursing.
5. Pearson VUE will send an Authorization To Test (ATT) The name (first, middle, and last) on your ATT must match exactly the name on your Identification. You must have your ATT document to schedule your exam date time and location. You must take your ATT to the test center on the day of your examination. You will not be admitted to the examination without your ATT. Instructions for scheduling examination will be included with the ATT. An ATT is valid for 180 days. If you miss your appointment, are turned away from the testing center, or the ATT expires, you will have to apply to NCBON to re-establish eligibility.
6. Test at any of the Pearson Professional Center located around the world.
Click here for a list of Pearson Professional Centers in North Carolina.
Checking the Status of the NC application process:
An online tool is available to check the status of an application for licensure by examination. Exam Status Check
Examination results:
Please DO NOT CALL the NC Board of Nursing, NCLEX® Candidate Services, the Pearson Professional Centers or NCSBN for examination results. The contract with the testing service provides for NCBON receipt of results within 30 days of testing. Only the NCBON can provide official results and those will be sent by US mail to the address provided in the application. No results can be shared over the phone.
Licensure Requirements:
1. Passing result on NCLEX®
2. Satisfactory completion of criminal background check. Note: The status of your Criminal Background Check (CBC) does not affect the ability to take the NCLEX®; however, satisfactory completion of the CBC is required for licensure.
Licensure Verification
To verify a license use our license verification system at 919-881-2272 or on our website under "Verify License".
Also, the NCBON does currently participate in the unofficial Quick Results service offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Click here for more information. These results are unofficial, so please allow the 30-day timeframe to process your official result before contacting the NCBON.
On July 1, 2000, the North Carolina Board of Nursing joined the Nurse Licensure Compact. This interstate compact is the basis for the mutual recognition model of nursing regulation among states whose legislatures have enacted the compact. These states are called party states. Click here for specific information about how the interstate compact will affect your license in North Carolina. If you plan to reside outside of NC, please review this information before applying to take the exam through the North Carolina Board of Nursing.