NCLEX-PN Practical Nurse Exam Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The NCLEX-PN is the licensure examination for practical and vocational nurses in the United States. It is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and delivered at Pearson VUE test centers. Every candidate answers a minimum of 85 items; the maximum is 150 items within a five-hour limit that includes breaks, and 15 of the items on every exam are unscored pretest items (NCLEX-PN Test Plan effective April 2026). It is a computerized adaptive test that mixes stand-alone items with clinical judgment case studies, and it stops once the computer is 95% certain the candidate is above or below the passing standard.

An NCLEX-PN pass is a standard requirement for practical and vocational nurse licensure in every U.S. state board of nursing. Without a passing result a graduate cannot be licensed as an LPN/LVN.

Practical and vocational nursing students and graduates preparing for the NCLEX-PN, and repeat candidates. Eligibility and application are handled by your state board of nursing.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

Candidates who have applied for licensure can take the NCLEX up to eight times a year, with 45 test-free days between attempts (NCSBN retake policy); your state board may set stricter limits.

Passing standard: the exam does not use a percentage: it is pass/fail against the NCSBN passing standard for the NCLEX-PN (-0.18 logits, effective through 31 March 2029), decided once the computer is 95% certain of the result. Every candidate answers a minimum of 85 items; the maximum is 150 items within a five-hour limit that includes breaks, and 15 of the items on every exam are unscored pretest items (NCLEX-PN Test Plan effective April 2026). It is a computerized adaptive test that mixes stand-alone items with clinical judgment case studies, and it stops once the computer is 95% certain the candidate is above or below the passing standard. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

Every candidate answers a minimum of 85 items; the maximum is 150 items within a five-hour limit that includes breaks, and 15 of the items on every exam are unscored pretest items (NCLEX-PN Test Plan effective April 2026). It is a computerized adaptive test that mixes stand-alone items with clinical judgment case studies, and it stops once the computer is 95% certain the candidate is above or below the passing standard. Format: Computerized adaptive test · 85 to 150 items · five-hour limit including breaks · 15 unscored pretest items. Passing standard: the exam does not use a percentage: it is pass/fail against the NCSBN passing standard for the NCLEX-PN (-0.18 logits, effective through 31 March 2029), decided once the computer is 95% certain of the result.

The certifying body publishes no exact weights for the areas it tests, so none are shown here.

You apply for licensure with a state nursing regulatory body, which declares you eligible and lets you register with Pearson VUE for an Authorization to Test; eligibility rules, including completion of an approved practical/vocational nursing program, are set by each regulator.

The NCLEX registration fee is US$200 today and US$350 for registrations from 1 February 2027 (NCLEX.com fee notice). Your state board of nursing charges its own application and licensure fees separately.

After you are licensed, your state board sets renewal and continuing competence requirements; check the board for the current rules.

Work through every topic area first, then switch to timed practice (85 questions in 300 minutes) and review the questions you miss.

Content outlines, fees and passing standards change; this guide follows the materials listed under Verification as of October 2026. Check the certifying body or hiring authority before you register.