Please note that this blog is the third in a six part series. You can read the earlier posts here: Part 1: How to make sure you’re ready for anything and Part 2: Operationally Speaking,
Rule 1: Don’t be Late!
If you fail to arrive for your examination appointment or fail to reschedule/unschedule without giving the appropriate notice, you will forfeit your examination fee (and scheduling fee if applicable) and your ATT letter will be invalidated. You will be required to re-register and repay the examination fee of $200. Your failure to take the examination will be reflected in your registration as an incident report which will be viewable by your board of nursing.
Plan to arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled testing time. If you arrive more than 30 minutes after your scheduled appointment, you may be required to forfeit your NCLEX appointment. Your failure to take the examination will be reflected in your registration as an incident report which will be viewable by your board of nursing.
- Friends, relatives or children who accompany you to the test center are not allowed to wait in the test center while you take the examination.
Rule 2: Have Proper ID. Proper Identification Requirements are as follow:
- Your ATT Letter
- Acceptable Identification
- You will be asked to provide your digital signature, a palm vein scan, and you will have your fingerprint and photograph taken. Hats, scarves and coats may not be worn in the testing room or while your photograph is being taken.
Only the identifications listed below will be accepted. Because of the importance of the NCLEX, several security measures will be enforced during the administration of the examination. Strict candidate identification requirements have been established. If you arrive without these materials, you will be turned away and will be required to reregister and repay the examination fee of $200. The only acceptable forms of identification for test centers in the U.S.* are:
- U.S. driver’s license (Department of Motor Vehicle-issued) (if expired, a renewal slip that contains a photograph and a signature must be presented in order to be admitted)
- U.S. state identification (Department of Motor Vehicle-issued)
- Passport
- U.S. Military Identification
The only identification acceptable for test centers outside of the U.S.* is:
- Passport
All identification must be valid and not expired with signature and photograph. All identification listed above must be in English and signed in English.
Rule 3 – Your name must be the same wherever it appears
The first and last name printed on your identification must match exactly the first and last name printed on your ATT letter. If the name with which you have registered is different from the name on your identification, you must bring legal name change documentation with you to the test center on the day of your test. The only acceptable forms of legal documentation are: a marriage license, divorce decree
and/or a court action legal name change document. All documents must be in English and must be the original documents. Candidates wishing to make a name change, address change or email address change must contact their board of nursing. This cannot be done at the test center.
Rule 4 – Know what to expect before you enter the testing room
- You will be required to leave your personal belongings outside the testing room. Secure storage will be provided, however, candidates are not allowed to access any of the prohibited personal items at any time during the exam, including breaks. Storage space is small, so candidates should plan appropriately. Testing centers assume no responsibility for candidates’ personal belongings.
- The Test Administrator (TA) will give you a short orientation and then will escort you to a computer terminal. You must remain in your seat during the examination, except when authorized to leave by test center staff. You may not change your computer terminal unless a TA directs you to do so.
Rule 5 – Dress Appropriately
Consider that testing sites can vary in temperature….please dress in layers, but make sure they’re appropriate layers! One of our instructors told us of an incident when a student wore a large jacket with lots of pockets and only a camisole underneath; the testing center was very chilly, but the proctor would not let the student wear the jacket into the testing room because of regulations. Needless to say the student did not have the most comfortable testing experience!
Author’s note: this blog is the third in a six part series. Continue reading the additional posts here:
