Everything You Need to Know About Taking the NCLEX from Home
The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is an essential milestone for aspiring nurses in the U.S. and abroad. Until now, candidates have been required to take the exam at designated secure testing centers. But now, the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) is introducing a new option: the NCLEX online exam.
This innovation will allow candidates to take the NCLEX from home or another approved location, making the process more flexible and accessible without sacrificing fairness, integrity, or security.
If you’re planning to sit for the NCLEX, here’s a complete guide to the remote NCLEX testing option.
Why Take the NCLEX Online?
Taking the NCLEX from home provides numerous advantages for nursing students and professionals:
Time Flexibility – Take the exam when it’s most convenient for you.
Greater Comfort – Take the test in a familiar and stress-free environment.
More Choice – Decide between a test center or the online nursing exam.
Easier Access – A game-changer for international candidates and those far from physical test centers.
By offering a remote NCLEX exam, NCSBN is breaking down barriers and giving nursing candidates more control over their testing experience.
How Exam Integrity Is Protected Online?
A question that comes up often is: “Can the NCLEX online exam be trusted for security?”
The answer is yes. NCSBN is using advanced technology and strict protocols to ensure fairness and prevent cheating.
Security measures include:
ID Verification – Confirming candidate identity before the exam begins.
Environmental Scans – Checking your testing space for unauthorized items.
Object Detection – Detecting and flagging prohibited materials.
360° Proctoring – Using both your computer webcam and your phone camera to provide live proctors with a complete view of your testing area.
AI-Enhanced Monitoring – Advanced artificial intelligence tools to detect suspicious activity.
This ensures that the NCLEX remote testing option is just as reliable and valid as testing in person.
NCLEX Online FAQs
1. Can international candidates take the NCLEX online?
Yes. Both U.S.-based and international candidates can choose the online NCLEX exam option.
2. Will test centers still be available?
Yes. Candidates can choose either a traditional test center or the remote NCLEX exam.
3. Is the online exam different from the test center version?
No. The NCLEX exam questions, length, and scoring remain identical regardless of where you take it. The test is still psychometrically sound, reliable, and legally defensible.
4. Will my phone be necessary for the NCLEX online exam?
Yes. Candidates must download the 360 app, which uses the phone’s camera together with the computer’s webcam to allow proctors a full view of the testing area. Your phone cannot be used for anything else during the exam.
5. Will accommodations be available?
Yes. Testing accommodations will be offered for both online and test center NCLEX exams, depending on the method chosen.
6. What if I face technical issues during the exam?
If you experience technical difficulties, you can follow the online troubleshooting instructions and connect directly with your live proctor via chat.
7. Can I switch formats if I need to retake the NCLEX?
Yes. In the event of a retake, you may choose between taking the NCLEX at a test center or online.
8. Do I need to complete a tech check before the exam?
Yes. Every candidate will be required to run a technical readiness check to make sure their device and environment meet exam requirements.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Nursing Exams
The NCLEX online exam marks a major step forward in nursing licensure testing. By integrating accessibility, convenience, and robust security, the NCSBN ensures that nurses everywhere have an equitable and adaptable route to achieve success.
At BridgeWay, we believe that every nurse deserves access to opportunities that can shape their future. The NCLEX online exam is a powerful step toward making nursing licensure more accessible especially for international candidates who previously faced barriers to testing.
As a firm dedicated to supporting nursing students through scholarships, career pathways, and guidance for U.S. licensure, we see this innovation as a game-changer. Whether you choose to test at a center or take the NCLEX from home, BridgeWay is here to guide you through the process from preparing for the exam to securing your dream role in nursing.
The future of nursing is about breaking boundaries and creating opportunities, and with the NCLEX now available online, that future is closer than ever.