Starting in January of 2015, all graduate
nurses in Canada, outside of Quebec, will need to pass the NCLEX-RN entry exam
to practice nursing in Canada. The NCLEX-RN replaces the CRNE that was used by
the 10-provincial/territorial RN regulatory boards up until October 1, 2014.
The new examination is a computer-based adaptive test owned by the National
Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Since this is the first time the exam will be
used in Canada, many nurses have questions regarding the exam format, the questions
being asked and the application process. The following information provides
answers to many of these questions:
Exam Length:
Each writer has a maximum of six hours to write
the exam.
Number of Questions:
The exam is adaptive and changes depending on
the answers given. The number of questions ranges from 75 to 265. The exam
begins with 15 pretest questions that are not scored. These establish a base
for the questions that follow.
Exam Results:
Results from the exam are issued by the
provincial licensing college/association. Each writer receives either a pass or
a fail. Notifications will arrive within approximately four weeks of writing.
NCLEX Applications:
Nursing graduates must apply with Pearson Vue,
the NCSBN's testing facilitator. Applicants cannot book an exam time without
the confirmed eligibility of their provincial/territorial nursing board. Once
confirmed, applicants will receive an Authorization to Test. This will be
accompanied by a 90-day validity period. The applicant must write the exam
during this period or their NCLEX application will be cancelled and their fee
forfeited.
Examination Fee:
The exam cost is $360. The Pearson Vue testing
site collects this amount at the time of application. Refunds are not offered
for duplicate registrations, failure to cancel within 24 business hours of exam
time and failure to appear.
Year Round Test Centres in Canada:
Pearson Professional Centres - Calgary, Alberta
Pearson Professional Centres - Edmonton,
Alberta
Pearson Professional Centres - Surrey, British
Columbia
Pearson Professional Centres - Vancouver
(Burnaby), British Columbia
Pearson Professional Centres - Winnipeg,
Manitoba
Pearson Professional Centres - Halifax, Nova
Scotia
Pearson Professional Centres - Hamilton,
Ontario
Pearson Professional Centres - London, Ontario
Pearson Professional Centres - Ottawa, Ontario
Pearson Professional Centres - Toronto, Ontario
Pearson Professional Centres - Montreal, Quebec
Pearson Professional Centres - Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan
Special Test Accommodations:
Applicants need to contact their provincial/territorial board before
applying for a special accommodation through the Pearson Vue testing
facilitators.
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Nursing graduates who are looking for additional NCLEX prep to help
them prepare for the NCLEX in Canada, can apply for the PRIMED 2-Day NCLEX-RN
Review course. This course is being offered in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and
Vancouver in the month of January. It is also being offered in a live online
classroom setting for nursing students who are unable to attend one of the
locations listed above.
The NCLEX-RN review session handles a wide breadth of nursing topics
that are covered on the exam. The prep material is based on the most recent
NCSBN Test Plan. The course also includes topics on computer adapted testing
and important study skills for success on the NCLEX-RN.
Graduates looking for a leg up on the exam can register for a review
course at http://www.primededucation.ca/courses-and-registration/.
