How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX®? | Update for 2022 | NURSING.com (2024)

How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX®?

According to the NCSBN website (which is the company that writes the actual NCLEX).

  • You can take the NCLEX up to 8 times per year with a 45-day waiting period between each attempt.
    • There is no maximum number of attempts
    • You must wait 45 days between attempts
    • You get 8 attempts per year

Find out how Derek conquered the NCLEX after 6 failed attempts. Read Here "I Failed The NCLEX 6 Times . . . How I Finally Passed"

Each State Board of Nursing Can Have Separate Rules:

Are you curious about the new next-generation NCLEX®, NGN? Get the latest information in our comprehensive article here: What You Need to Know About the NextGen NCLEX

Each state Board of Nursing can have additional standards so it is important to consult your board individually. To find your state board of nursing, just google “STATE NAME board of nursing NCLEX rules”.

For example, you can take the NCLEX® in these states as follows:

  • Texas: Every 45 days for 4 years . . . then you have to go back to school.
  • California: Every 45 days as many times as you want.
  • Florida: 3 attempts then you have to go back to school.
  • Pennsylvania: Unlimited attempts
  • Ohio: Unlimited attempts
  • New York: Unlimited attempts
  • Canada: 3 attempts maximum

Again . . . you need to verify with your own BON.

Did you know that over 80,000 nursing students FAIL the NCLEX every year!?!?!?!

. . . 80,000+ . . .

Let that sink in for a minute . . .

That’s enough nurses to fully staff 200+ hospitals around the clock. These are nursing students who got accepted to nursing school, graduated, and now just have to pass a test . . . yet, they are failing.

How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX®? | Update for 2022 | NURSING.com (1)

We have a problem with nursing education. Why are so many qualified students failing?

Each one of those 80,000+ nursing students who failed the NCLEX . . . ALREADY PASSED NURSING SCHOOL!

Nursing school should be preparing students to become nurses, the NCLEX should measure the future nurses ability to be a nurse . . . and together . . . they should be graduating and licensing MORE nurses.

This is the problem we set out to solve at NURSING.com (in fact we built the entire website around solving that problem).

INTRODUCING: NPQ (Nursing Practice Questions®) NCLEX® Practice Questions

One of the best ways to gain confidence is to see yourself succeeding.

And one of the best ways you can insure success on the NCLEX is to take a TON of NCLEX practice questions . . . and I mean a ton. Like up to 100 a day in the weeks leading up to the test.

Prior to taking the NCLEX myself, I took literally thousands of practice questions. In the final two weeks before the exam, I was taking upwards of 200+ questions per day.

This is why, at NURSING.com, we built one of the largest NCLEX Question Banks on the planet – with over 6,000+ questions on over 21 different categories. You need to take a TON of questions. But here is what you need to do:

  • Take 100+ questions
  • Read the rationales for each question you got wrong
  • Review the content around those questions you got wrong
  • Begin to focus your question taking on subjects YOU GOT WRONG

So often, future nurses take questions on subjects they are strong in – it boosts their confidence – but the NCLEX doesn’t want to know your strongest areas – it wants to know if you will be a safe nurse – regardless of what specialty you work in.

To help you with this we have released our massive database of practice questions for you to practice.

It’s called Nursing Practice Questions (NPQ) feel free to give it a try.

Try Nursing Practice Questions

NPQ is the largest database of practice NCLEX questions online and built by our team of NCSBN-trained NCLEX question writers.

With more than 6,000+ questions with detailed rationales in various nursing categories, it will become your best friend in nursing school. So don’t stress so much over how many times you can take the NCLEX, focus instead on becoming as strong as you can at NCLEX-style questions.

Inside Nursing Practice Questions (NPQ): build custom quizzes

When you log into NPQ, you can build extremely customized practice tests to focus on your weak areas, select from 21 different categories, take only SATA questions, and review your performance. Enter the NCLEX with extreme confidence by studying those areas where you are most weak.

Inside Nursing Practice Questions (NPQ): image and video rationales

Rationales inside NPQ are extremely detailed and even include images and videos to help you really understand the topic. When you miss a question, you can really dig into the topic with these visual rationales.

How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX®? | Update for 2022 | NURSING.com (4)

Umbilical cord Nursing Mnemonic

QUESTION: How Soon Should I Take the NCLEX® After Graduating?

Great question, and I’m glad you asked . . .

In THIS STUDY by the NCSBN it was found that the average student takes the NCLEX® just 35 days after graduating from nursing school.

They also noted that there is an inverse correlation between time from graduation and pass rates.

In other words . . . the longer you wait – – – the less likely you will be to pass.

What does this mean to you? Use your time in nursing school to prepare for the monster . . . study throughout the journey. Once you graduate get your ATT and take the beast as soon as you can.

QUESTION: Why Do Students Wait to Take the NCLEX®?

There are basically main 4 reasons that nursing students delay taking the NCLEX®. According to this study, they are:

  • 25%: Not feeling confident they will pass
  • 15%: General test anxiety
  • 15%: ATT expired
  • 6%: Not feeling they had the time to study

Look at each of those reasons . . . I think they all boil down to CONFIDENCE

In order to feel confident in yourself you need to do two things:

  1. Put in the time to study and learn all you can
  2. Move on past failure and let it go

If you put in the work that is required . . . you will feel confident in your ability and the work you have done. As you learn to move past failure you will become free of your past and find the strength to keep moving toward your goal.

You already made it through nursing school . . . DO NOT give up!

What I Learned Failing the NCLEX® 3 Times (RN . . . More Than an Abbreviation)

A Quick Word on NCLEX® Pass Rates

86% of first-time US-educated test takers pass on their first attempt. Your chances of failing are only about 14%. If you do . . who gives a damn. . . get back out there and schedule the test for a second shot.

45% of US-educated repeat test takers pass. So you still have a great shot of passing on your second attempt . . . and you know what? If you don’t . . .get back out there and do it again.

Rather than asking: “How many times can you take the NCLEX?”

Try to rephrase that question to: “What can I do to pass the NCLEX on the next attempt?”

At the risk of sounding overly simplified let me just urge you to get your mind in the right place going into the test. The more time you spend being worried about failing the more you are going to second guess yourself. Focus on passing and you will find your entire mindset changed.

My NCLEX Story

I have to be honest . . . I stressed about passing the NCLEX® quite a bit during nursing school!

After all, my wife and I had moved across the country, sold our home, and gotten into an additional $40,000 of student loans for me to go to nursing school . . . how could I not at least THINK about how devastating it would be to fail.

What would happen if I had failed? Was I going to have to redo nursing school? Would all that education be pointless?

We get a TON of emails from students who fail the NCLEX and consider giving up.

In fact, our most popular podcast episode was with Ashley . . . who failed 3 times before passing and getting a job at one of the top hospitals in the country.

Here are just a couple excerpts from emails we get from students struggling to pass:

How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX®? | Update for 2022 | NURSING.com (5)

How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX®? | Update for 2022 | NURSING.com (6)

I Failed the NCLEX® Twice and I'm 55 Years Old . . . Is It Too Late? (from a struggling student)

"I graduated 2 years ago from nursing school and have yet to pass the NCLEX, I am 55 years old and wonder if I should be in this profession where I see so many young people. In a nutshell, I have lost focus and don’t really know where to start and if I should. I am very confused."

I Failed the NCLEX®. What Do I Do?

Well, it isn’t the NCLEX apocalypse and frankly, it’s quite the opposite!

I’m not saying that not passing on your first, second, or third try is a bad thing. You have to keep in mind that some people are simply not good test takers and there can be times when you’ve got other things going on in your life that could mess with your NCLEX preparation…but you’ve got to move on from that. Remember that only you and you alone have the power to take yourself out of theever-growing pool of NCLEX casualties.

Right after you received a notice about your exam’s outcome, access your CPR (yourCandidate Performance Report) and take a long hard look at how well you performed in each of the content areas according to theNCLEX Test Plan. This data is gold and would help you prepare for your next NCLEX battle! Repeat Get That Licensure Thingy until you nail it and you’ll soon be off to creating the most seductive resume ever! Hooray!

Start Taking Nursing Practice Questions NowTry NPQ

Why Didn't I Pass the NCLEX, I Get Nursing

What to Study For Taking the NCLEX the Second Time

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Question of the Day: Adult patient coagulation disorders (Pharm and parenteral therapies)

As an expert and enthusiast, I can provide information on the concepts mentioned in the article you provided. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts:

  1. NCLEX: The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is a standardized exam that nurses in the United States and Canada must pass in order to obtain their nursing license. It is designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to safely and effectively practice as an entry-level nurse.

  2. Number of Attempts: According to the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) website, you can take the NCLEX up to 8 times per year with a 45-day waiting period between each attempt. There is no maximum number of attempts, but each state board of nursing may have additional rules and regulations regarding the number of attempts allowed. It is important to consult your state board individually for specific rules .

  3. State Board of Nursing Rules: Each state board of nursing can have separate rules and regulations regarding the NCLEX. For example, some states may have a limited number of attempts allowed, while others may have unlimited attempts. It is important to consult your state board of nursing for specific rules and regulations. You can find your state board of nursing by searching "STATE NAME board of nursing NCLEX rules" on Google.

  4. Preparing for the NCLEX: One of the recommended ways to prepare for the NCLEX is to take a large number of practice questions. Taking practice questions can help build confidence and familiarize yourself with the format and content of the exam. Nursing Practice Questions (NPQ) is a database of practice NCLEX questions that can be helpful in preparing for the exam.

  5. Timing of Taking the NCLEX: According to a study by the NCSBN, the average student takes the NCLEX about 35 days after graduating from nursing school. The study also found an inverse correlation between the time from graduation and pass rates, suggesting that the longer you wait to take the exam, the less likely you are to pass. It is recommended to take the NCLEX as soon as possible after graduating from nursing school .

  6. Reasons for Delay in Taking the NCLEX: According to a study, some of the reasons nursing students delay taking the NCLEX include lack of confidence in passing, general test anxiety, expiration of the Authorization to Test (ATT), and feeling that they don't have enough time to study. Building confidence through studying and learning from past failures can help overcome these challenges .

Remember to consult official sources and your state board of nursing for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the NCLEX and its requirements.

How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX®? | Update for 2022 | NURSING.com (2024)

FAQs

How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX®? | Update for 2022 | NURSING.com? ›

According to NCSBN rules, you can take the NCLEX eight times a year with 45 days in between attempts.

Is there a limit on NCLEX attempts? ›

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) allows National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) test-takers up to eight retakes per year with a forty-five-day wait period between each test.

What is the max amount of times you can take the NCLEX? ›

Number of attempts: You'll have 8 attempts each year to retake the NCLEX, but keep in mind that state regulations may vary. Wait period: You'll need to wait a minimum of 45 days before attempting again.

What happens if you fail NCLEX 4 times in Florida? ›

Florida. In Florida, after you fail three times, you must take a remedial course approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.

Is the new NCLEX easier or harder? ›

A common question nursing students ask about the Next Gen NCLEX is whether or not the exam is easier than the old NCLEX. The short answer is no, the Next Gen NCLEX is not easier.

What happens if you fail the NCLEX 3 times? ›

Candidates who fail the NCLEX three times must take a remedial course. They can then repeat the NCLEX exam within six months of completing the course.

What are the 3 NCLEX pass or fail decision rules? ›

The CAT algorithm determines whether you pass or fail based on one of the following three rules: the 95% Confidence Interval Rule, Maximum-Length Exam Rule, or the Run-out-of-time (ROOT) Rule. These are sometimes also referred to as the exam “stopping rules” that indicate when the exam will end.

What happens if you fail the NCLEX too many times? ›

1. Additional education or remediation: Many states require candidates who have failed the NCLEX three times to complete additional nursing education or remediation courses before being eligible to retake the exam.

What is the passing score for the NCLEX? ›

The NCLEX uses a base logit score of 0.00 to determine whether you pass or not. You pass if you score above 0.00, meaning you answered enough questions correctly. If you score negative, you didn't answer enough questions correctly.

What states have unlimited NCLEX attempts? ›

Pennsylvania: Unlimited attempts. Ohio: Unlimited attempts. New York: Unlimited attempts.

How to pass NCLEX after failing 4 times? ›

How to Pass the NCLEX RN After Failing
  1. Step 1: Determine Why You Didn't Pass. ...
  2. Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with the Exam. ...
  3. Step 3: Schedule Study Time. ...
  4. Step 4: Take Test Preparation Courses. ...
  5. Step 5: Find a Study Partner or Study Group.

How many times can you take the NCLEX before remediation? ›

Candidates may retest as many as 8 times in a year. Candidates must pass NCLEX within three years from when they graduated nursing school. Please note that some states put additional limitations on how many times candidates can re-take the test. See our 10 tips for preparing for the NCLEX-RN.

How many questions can you miss and still pass NCLEX? ›

You can miss up to 85 questions before officially passing the NCLEX exam. But it's important to note that pass and fail scores are more based on the NCLEX's confidence interval. You technically pass when correctly answering enough questions to remain above the passing line with a 95% confidence interval.

Which state NCLEX is the hardest? ›

The NCLEX is a standardized exam and is the same type of test for everyone in the country. No state has a “harder” exam than another state.

Which state is easier for NCLEX? ›

While each state has its own requirements, New York, Connecticut, and Montana stand out as the easiest states to apply for NCLEX to obtain a nursing compact license. We highly recommend considering these options if you want to make your journey easier.

Why is the new NCLEX so hard? ›

New item types are what set the new version of the exam apart from the version you took as a graduate. That version focused on assessing only nursing knowledge. The new exam includes item types that measure clinical judgment and are much more complex than, say, typical multiple-response questions.

How many days after failing NCLEX can you retake? ›

If you do not pass the NCLEX, you may retake the exam. However, you must wait a minimum of 45 days between each attempt. This waiting period has been established by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to provide candidates with sufficient time to study and prepare for the exam.

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