This year, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) instituted changes to the registration and test-taking process. We reviewed the changes in November, but as the busy test-taking season will be here soon, we wanted to review those changes for you once more. For complete information please go to the NCSBN website.
Impacts to registering for the NCLEX®
1.) The following documents will no longer be released in hard-copy or printed form:
2.) The NCSBN will also stop publishing the Candidate Bulletin At-A-Glance in both electronic and hard copy formats due to enhancements made to the aforementioned documents.
3.) NCSBN will no longer accept money order, certified check, or cashier check payments effective January 1, 2014. Beginning on that date, all candidates and third-parties must register and pay for the NCLEX through the Pearson VUE website which will only accept credit and debit card payments.
4.) NCSBN will stop printing the paper Scantron registration form mentioned in Item 3; effective January 1st registration for the NCLEX becomes an online-only process.
Impacts to Exam Day Processes: Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter
- Once a board of nursing makes a candidate eligible, that candidate will receive the ATT by email. The ATT continues to serve as the candidate’s notice that the candidate may schedule the NCLEX at a Pearson Professional Center. Candidates should continue to ensure the ATT letter reflects their name as it appears on their ID, their authorization period, the exam they registered to take, and if applicable, their approved accommodations.
- Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, the paper copy of the ATT letter will no longer be necessary for test admittance.
- To gain access to the test center, candidates must present one form of acceptable identification that matches exactly the name they provided when registering. If the candidate’s ID does not match exactly the name the candidate registered with, the candidate will not be admitted to test and will have to re-register and pay another fee for the NCLEX.
Impacts to Processes after the Exam
“You’ve Completed the NCLEX Examination but You Still Have Questions” Brochure
- This brochure is currently given to candidates at the test center on the day of their exam. It covers frequently asked questions, such as how results are processed and what happens when candidates run out of time, and provides information on accessing Quick Results.
- Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, this information will be sent to the candidate’s email address provided at registration, shortly after the candidate has completed the exam.
- The brochure will also be available on the NCSBN website.
Remember that Kaplan is here to make sure your students are ready for the NCLEX every step of the way!
A special thank you to Susan Sanders, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President, Kaplan Nursing, for her contributions to this post!
