What state is the hardest to pass the NCLEX?
Asked by: Raina Carroll | Last update: February 26, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes)
There were some regional differences between the 50 states in the NCLEX RN pass rate for U.S. educated candidates. Florida had the lowest overall state pass in 2020 with a percentage of 68.8. New Hampshire placed highest with a percentage of 96.2.
What is the hardest state to become a nurse in?
The Buckeye State actually takes the cake as the longest state to get licensed in, on average, and with attractive Midwestern cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, many nurses in the surrounding states (and beyond) go through Ohio's long licensure process.
What state has the lowest NCLEX pass rate?
Of note, certain states' pass rates are markedly lower than others. Florida ranked the lowest in the nation for first-time pass rates among U.S.-educated candidates in 2020 and 2021, with a rate nearly 18 percentage points below the national average.
Which state is NCLEX the easiest in?
Total Number of Candidates (2023): 806
New Hampshire boasts the highest NCLEX pass rate average in the U.S., over eight percentage points higher than the national average. In fact, New Hampshire has achieved the highest overall NCLEX pass rate every year since 2018.
What state pays the best for RN?
- 1. California: $137,690. With an average salary of $137,690 annually, the Golden State is the highest-paying state for registered nurses. ...
- Hawaii: $119,710. ...
- Oregon: $113,440. ...
- Washington: $111,030. ...
- Alaska: $109,210. ...
- Massachusetts: $108,850. ...
- Washington, D.C.: $106,850. ...
- New York: $106,620.
NCLEX FAIL: Don't Make This MISTAKE!
Which state does not require NCLEX?
Do nurses have to be licensed in each state? In Washington, D.C., and all 50 states, prospective RNs must apply through their state licensing boards and pass the NCLEX exam.
How many people pass the NCLEX first try?
The current NCLEX pass rate for first time test takers is 80%. This means that most students who sit for NCLEX will pass it. Based on my experience, plenty of students pass the test in 85 questions (I know of at least 5 people in my graduating class alone who all did).
What state should I take my NCLEX in?
Yes, the NCLEX can be taken in any state convenient to you. The results will be directed to the board of nursing (BON) where you applied for your authorization to test (ATT) and licensure. You should apply for a license in the state where you intend to legally reside and/or practice.
What is the hardest nursing exam?
The National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, is a critical exam that every nursing student must take to become a licensed nurse. Passing the NCLEX is essential to begin your nursing career, but it is also one of the most challenging exams you will ever take.
What are good signs you passed NCLEX?
- Absence of a New Authorization to Test (ATT) ...
- "Nurse of the Future" Title on Your License. ...
- Termination of Test Attempts on Your Pearson VUE Account. ...
- Official Notification from Your State Nursing Board.
Which state has unlimited NCLEX?
What states have unlimited NCLEX attempts? Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio are the only states that allow unlimited attempts at the NCLEX. It is important to check with your state board to find out their rules and restrictions on retake attempts.
How many times can you retake the NCLEX?
Number of attempts: You'll have 8 attempts each year to retake the NCLEX, but keep in mind that state regulations may vary. Wait period: You'll need to wait a minimum of 45 days before attempting again.
What state needs RN the most?
The most severe shortages in 2025 and on are projected in states like California, Georgia, and Washington, while North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah have a surplus of nursing staff compared to demand, making them states with the highest demand for registered nurses.
What is the NCLEX passing score?
The NCLEX uses a base logit score of 0.00 to determine whether you pass or not. You pass if you score above 0.00, meaning you answered enough questions correctly. If you score negative, you didn't answer enough questions correctly.
Is NCLEX the same in every state?
Is the NCLEX different in each state? No. The content, questions, and body of knowledge within the NCLEX exam are the same in all states and are therefore nationally recognized for nursing licensure.
Which state is easiest for NCLEX?
While each state has its own requirements, New York, Connecticut, and Montana stand out as the easiest states to apply for NCLEX to obtain a nursing compact license. We highly recommend considering these options if you want to make your journey easier. Good luck!
Can I transfer my NCLEX result to another state?
This applies only to candidates who took and passed the NCLEX but were not licensed by the nursing regulatory body (NRB). These candidates may ask to request a score transfer when applying to another NCLEX-participating NRB.
Which state is NCLEX the hardest in?
There were some regional differences between the 50 states in the NCLEX RN pass rate for U.S. educated candidates. Florida had the lowest overall state pass in 2020 with a percentage of 68.8. New Hampshire placed highest with a percentage of 96.2.
What are the hardest NCLEX questions?
The most difficult NCLEX questions typically require you to think beyond the basic level of knowledge. They may involve analyzing complex patient scenarios, prioritizing interventions, making clinical judgments, or applying nursing concepts in unfamiliar contexts.
How long should I study for NCLEX?
Six weeks if your content knowledge is essentially strong and you have plenty of time for daily study, review, and questions practice. Six months if your content knowledge is weak and you don't have a lot of time for daily study, review, and questions practice.
Does 150 questions on NCLEX mean you failed?
I know that you can pass whether you have 75 questions, 150 questions, or 265 questions. In order to pass, the computer will stop when it has determined with 95 % accuracy that you have demonstrated minimum nursing competency-the level with which you need to get to to pass.
Which state is easiest to get an RN license?
- Texas:
- Florida:
- Ohio:
- North Carolina:
- Tennessee:
- Arizona:
- Oregon:
Can you work in any state if you pass the NCLEX?
If you passed your NCLEX in a compact state, then you may already have a compact license (or “multi-state license”). That means you can already work in another compact state without getting another license.
What are the 27 compact states?
These states include Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, ...