NCLEX(R) Examination Marks 20th Anniversary of CAT Administration

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 1, 2014) - April 1 marks the 20^th anniversary of the first National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN^®) NCLEX Examination administered via computerized adaptive testing (CAT). In 1994, NCSBN became the first organization to implement this technology for nationwide licensure examination. Since then, more than 4.3 million candidates for nurse licensure have taken the exam domestically and internationally.

On behalf of its member boards, the NCLEX-RN^® and NCLEX-PN^® Examinations are developed by NCSBN. They are constantly and rigorously evaluated to keep pace with the rapidly evolving health care environment to ensure that they are psychometrically sound, legally defensible and consistent with current nursing practice.

The increasingly global nature of the world and influx of internationally educated nurses into U.S. nursing practice led NCSBN to the decision to offer NCLEX testing abroad for the first time in 2005. Since then, more than 100,000 international nurse licensure candidates have taken the NCLEX for the purpose of domestic nurse licensure in U.S. states and its territories in the nine countries where it is now offered: Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mexico, Philippines and Taiwan.

Widely regarded as one of the preeminent licensure examinations in the world, the NCLEX-RN was selected by Canadian nursing regulators to be the new licensure examination for nurses in Canada beginning in January 2015. This will be the first time that the exam will be used for the purpose of licensure in another country. Canadian regulators selected the NCLEX-RN after identifying the need for an exam that employs the latest advances in testing technology to enhance test security, increases accessibility to the exam by offering year-round testing, provides timely results and allows for precise assessment of an individual candidate's performance.

NCSBN also develops and administers the largest competency evaluation for nurse aides/nursing assistants (NAs) known as the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP®). Additionally, NCSBN develops the Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE®), designed for NAs who choose to receive additional training to become a certified medication aide/assistant.

For more information about NCSBN exam offerings visit www.ncsbn.org/nclex and www.ncsbn.org/1480.htm.

Founded March 15, 1978, as an independent not-for-profit organization, NCSBN was created to lessen the burdens of state governments and bring together boards of nursing (BONs) to act and counsel together on matters of common interest. NCSBN's membership is comprised of the BONs in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories -- American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. There are also 16 associate members that are either nursing regulatory bodies or empowered regulatory authorities from other countries or territories.

NCSBN Member Boards protect the public by ensuring that safe and competent nursing care is provided by licensed nurses. These BONs regulate more than 3 million licensed nurses, the second largest group of licensed professionals in the U.S.

Mission: NCSBN provides education, service and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection.

The statements and opinions expressed are those of NCSBN and not the individual member state or territorial boards of nursing.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277