Nursing Students
University of Wisconsin–Madison

NCLEX

National Council Licensure Examination

  • Passing demonstrates that you have the minimal level of knowledge or competency
  • A legal requirement
  • Allows you to be registered as a professional nurse
  • Is a CAT exam – Computerized Adaptive Test
  • 6 hours to complete

Exam includes:

  • NCLEX tutorial
  • NCLEX examination items
  • Two preprogrammed optional breaks
  • Survey

NCLEX Registration

The process to take the NCLEX begins with three steps:

  1. Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE (about 6 weeks prior to graduation). Education Program code for UW-Madison BSN program is US50509500.
  2. Submit an application for licensure to the board of nursing where you wish to be licensed (about 6 weeks prior to graduation). This is in order to be made eligible to take the NCLEX. A board of nursing may require an official transcript, a form be filled out by the School of Nursing, or both. Official UW-Madison transcripts may be requested here. Be sure to meet the board of nursing’s application deadline.
  3. Once your degree is certified by the board of nursing, they will notify Pearson Vue that you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX. Pearson Vue will then email you your Authorization to Test (ATT). After you’ve gotten your ATT, you may schedule your test date for the NCLEX.

NCLEX/Licensure Resources

Preparing for the NCLEX