NCLEX & Licensure

All students must apply for licensure in the state they plan to practice in or one they are a resident in.

• WI applicants must apply through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services’ (DSPS) online application system, LicensE.
• IL applicants can apply through Continental Testing Services (CTS) OR apply for licensure through Wisconsin (LicensE). Then, upon passing the NCLEX, apply for licensure by endorsement through the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
• MN applicants may apply online through the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

For other states, check the NCSBN website for information on applying for licensure by examination in any state or US territory.

Once an applicant knows which state they will be applying for licensure in, they must register to take the NCLEX through Pearson Vue. When registering, applicants should use a personal email address as their wisc.edu email will likely be disabled upon graduation.

REGISTER FOR THE NCLEX

The UW-Madison School of Nursing’s program code for NCLEX registration is US50509500.

Each state’s nursing regulatory body (NRB) has a different process for verifying an applicant’s education. Some NRBs require an education verification from the applicant’s school, others require an official transcript with the applicant’s degree posted.

For states that require verification from the School of Nursing

Wisconsin verification will be done online. For graduating students, Academic Affairs will submit the Statement of Graduation on graduation day, upon successful completion of the nursing program.

Certain NRBs require an applicant’s School of Nursing to complete a form verifying the applicant’s education. Applicants should complete the applicant portion of the form, then email the form to Academic Affairs at academic.affairs@nursing.wisc.edu. Academic Affairs will complete the form and submit it to the NRB upon faculty review or graduation. If the applicant has already graduated, Academic Affairs will complete the verification upon receipt, then submit the verification to the appropriate NRB.

If a state’s NRB requires a letter of completion from the School of Nursing, applicants should email Academic Affairs at academic.affairs@nursing.wisc.edu to request a letter of completion – include which NRB is requesting the letter and what specifications the NRB is requesting.

For states that require an official transcript

Some NRBs require applicants to submit an official transcript with their degree posted. Official transcripts for UW-Madison students can only be requested through the UW-Madison Office of the Registrar. The Registrar’s Office does not post degrees on transcripts until all grades have been processed and degrees have been conferred; this typically happens in late May. Applicants should verify their degree has posted before requesting an official transcript.

What can delay your education verification?

One of the most frequent reasons for delay in receiving an education verification is the posting of credits to a student’s record. Students should make sure that all off campus (Transfer, Study Abroad, Extension) credits have been posted to their record. All courses must be completed and posted to your record before the School of Nursing can verify education. If unsure, students can meet with their advisor to make sure credits are posted. If credits are not posted, the student must contact the UW-Madison Office of Admissions. It can take 4-6 weeks for credits to be posted once requested.

Once all application materials and fees have been processed by a state’s NRB, the NRB will send confirmation of eligibility to Pearson Vue. Upon receiving that confirmation, Pearson Vue will verify the applicant has registered for the NCLEX and paid the testing fee, then they will send the applicant their Authorization to Test (ATT) via the email address the applicant used when registering for the NCLEX.

Students applying for licensure in the state of Wisconsin may be eligible to test as early as April. To ensure a student is academically prepared, the School of Nursing requires that early-testing applications meet or exceed these criteria:

1. Maintain a 3.5 nursing GPA or higher
2. Be approved by faculty of passing current courses
3. Pass all NCLEX prep quizzes given thus far in Nursing 445
4. Have all degree requirements met or in progress

Students who meet all of the above criteria can review their NCLEX Canvas page for an overview of the process and timeline to apply for early testing in Wisconsin.

THE BELOW INFORMATION IS FOR WISCONSIN TEMPORARY PERMITS ONLY

Before sitting for the NCLEX, an applicant may receive a temporary permit if their employer request they obtain one. In order to apply for a temporary permit, an applicant must have a Registered Nurse Supervisor assigned at their place of employment (see Form 2434 for additional information).

Please note, this process still requires the School of Nursing to submit a Statement of Graduation, which can only be submitted upon faculty review of a student’s progress towards graduation (faculty review typically happens in late-April). Obtaining a temporary permit also requires a completed background check; DSPS will start your background check as soon as your graduation date has passed.

A temporary permit allows an applicant to practice practical nursing under the direct supervision of a registered nurse until a credential is granted. A temporary permit is valid for a period of three months or until the holder receives failing examination results, whichever is shorter. This means if an applicant obtains a temporary permit, then fails the NCLEX, their temporary permit will be revoked. If there is more than three months between obtaining a temporary permit and the applicant’s first attempt at the NCLEX, the temporary permit may be renewed once for an additional three-month period.

Requirements to obtain a temporary permit:

• Completion of all licensure requirements, except examination
• Submittal of Form 2434
• Payment of a $10.00 fee
• A completed online LicensE application for permanent licensure
• Proof of graduation from a WI Board-approved school of professional nursing