Passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a mandatory requirement for nursing school graduates to be licensed to practice in Canada.
The NCLEX-RN exam assesses the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking that nursing professionals need to practice as registered nurses seeking to provide safe and effective care.
If you are a nursing student about to graduate, this blog has all the information you need about the NCLEX requirements!
Key Takeaways
- Ensure you meet all educational requirements before applying for the NCLEX
- Confirm your eligibility through the nursing regulatory body in your province
- Complete the necessary documentation and fees to schedule your NCLEX exam
- Understanding the exam format and requirements is crucial for successful preparation.
Who is eligible for NCLEX in Canada?
The NCLEX is a crucial assessment for those aspiring to practice nursing in Canada. Before sitting for the exam, it is critical to understand who is eligible to participate in the licensing process and all the requirements necessary to begin your registration process.
Let's discover the eligibility criteria for the NCLEX in Canada, highlighting educational requirements and province-specific regulations.
1. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSCN) in Canada
A BScN, which stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing, is an undergraduate-level degree for registered nurses (RNs) that covers topics such as patient care technology, research, health promotion, safety, and quality within the healthcare system.
A four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) allows the candidate to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
2. English or French Language Proficiency
Nursing practice in Canada is governed by provincial regulatory bodies, which ensure that nurses can understand legal and ethical standards to provide quality care and ensure patient safety.
Applicants can meet the language proficiency requirement by obtaining a minimum score on one of the following tests: International English Language Testing System (IELTS): General and Academic Training Versions; French Assessment Test (FAT) and Test of French Language Proficiency for Canada (TCF).
3. Registration with a Nursing Regulatory Body
Provincial and territorial governments in Canada regulate the practice of nursing. These Nursing Regulatory Bodies (NRB) ensure that nurses meet specific education standards, competence, and ethical conduct to protect public health and safety.
Your corresponding NRB verifies your eligibility based on your educational qualifications and background, ensuring you meet the necessary prerequisites for the NCLEX examination.
4. Cover the NCLEX Registration Fee
The cost of the NCLEX nursing exam in Canada may vary depending on the province or territory in which you plan to take it. However, in general, the cost of the NCLEX-RN exam in Canada is usually around $360 (CAD).
However, it is important to check directly with the nursing regulatory body (NRB) in the province or territory where you wish to practice to get more accurate information about the cost and specific exam requirements.
In addition, your NRB also charges a fee for initial licensure. If candidates taking the exam change their nursing regulatory bodies after registering for the NCLEX, they must pay a $50 extra fee in Canada. Acceptable forms of payment for the registration fee include a valid Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit, debit, or prepaid card. It is important to note that registration fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
The NCLEX cost $360 to write.
5. Criminal Background Check
The NCLEX criminal background check requirement may vary depending on the jurisdiction in which you intend to practice nursing; however, it is a mandatory part of the licensure process. This criminal background check includes the offences that may disqualify a candidate for licensure.
What is the passing requirement for the NCLEX?
The NCLEX exam uses a computer adaptive testing (CAT) format, which adjusts the difficulty level of the questions based on the previous answer, seeking an optimal next question according to the candidate's estimate of ability. The CAT test criteria offer high reliability because they allow a more accurate assessment of the candidate's capabilities.
Due to the evaluation criteria of the CAT tests, focusing on understanding the content and answering correctly in the allotted time is essential, rather than looking for a specific score to pass the NCLEX. Considering that the NCLEX has a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 145 questions, you could even answer 75 questions correctly and pass. Or, you could pass after answering the maximum number of questions possible.
If the computer determines you have passed 95% of the questions at the minimum question mark, your exam will be complete. It is also crucial to mention that it will automatically shut down once you reach the time limit for answering the exam, no matter how many questions you have left to complete.
How to register for the NCLEX?
First, to sit for the NCLEX, candidates must have graduated from a nursing program approved by their Canadian province. Once they have graduated, they must apply for licensure or registration with a Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB), register, and pay for the NCLEX exam. It's completely normal to feel stressed around even booking your test. A lot of students go through the same thing. To begin the registration process for the NCLEX nursing exam in Canada, follow the steps below:
How many times can I take the NCLEX in Canada?
Don't worry if you didn't get the desired results the first time. A nursing candidate can take the NCLEX up to eight times in one year; allow 45 days between exams. You can contact your NRB directly to receive a Candidate Performance Report (CPR), where you will find your exam results, strengths, weaknesses, and questions answered. This report is intended to guide the candidate's preparation for their second attempt at the NCLEX.
Find excellent NCLEX Tips and Resources and the ideal support you need in private tutoring to set up a study plan according to your specific needs and address your areas of improvement by reinforcing your current NCLEX knowledge.
With a private tutor, you can learn more about the exam's content and format, develop better test-taking strategies, and manage your time. Ready to excel on the NCLEX-RN with the best tutors in Canada? Visit Superprof!
Wrap up!
Obtaining a nursing license in Canada requires meeting all the rigorous requirements of the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), based on the Nursing Regulatory Bodies (NRB). To be eligible, one must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing (BScN).Meeting the requirements is essential to begin the NCLEX registration process and aspire to become a licensed nurse in Canada. But don't worry, you are not alone!
Many applicants turn to private tutoring to effectively prepare for the exam. This is a great support resources for the NCLEX for getting one-on-one attention to develop effective study strategies. Superprof's private tutoring provides solid preparation and can be an invaluable resource for achieving success on the NCLEX and obtaining a nursing license in Canada.
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very informative
I want to take NCLE text , l live in Toronto Ontario
Hi Amaka, sounds good, why don’t you check out our Ultimate Guide for some further insight!