NCLEX-PN Results: What to Expect and Next Steps

Whether you’re an aspiring practical nurse (LPN), you must take the NCLEX-PN exam to obtain your nursing license. But what exactly is the NCLEX-PN, how does it compare to a Nursing College Entrance Exam? And what does the process look like from determining eligibility to receiving your results?

Here’s everything you need to know about how the exam works in Illinois.

What is NCLEX-PN?

The NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) is a standardized test designed to determine whether a candidate has the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to practice as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). The exam was updated on April 1, 2023, and is now known as the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), which places a greater emphasis on clinical judgment and critical thinking.

NCLEX-PN Eligibility in Illinois

To be eligible for the NCLEX-PN in Illinois, candidates must complete approved programs from licensed practical nursing schools and meet all state-specific licensure requirements set by the Illinois Board of Nursing.

Fees Required to Take the NCLEX-PN in Illinois

To sit for the NCLEX-PN in Illinois, candidates must pay the following fees:

Application and licensing fee (paid to the Illinois Board of Nursing): $98
NCLEX testing fee (paid to Pearson VUE): $200
Background check fee (including fingerprinting): Cost varies based on the service provider.

These fees must be paid before receiving authorization to test (ATT), which grants permission to schedule the exam.

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NCLEX-PN Format, Questions, and Scoring

The NCLEX-PN follows a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on the test-taker’s responses.

The NCLEX-PN consists of 85 to 150 questions, with 15 experimental questions that do not count toward the final score.
The test has a five-hour time limit.
If fewer than 85 questions are answered before time expires, the candidate automatically fails.
The final ability estimate determines whether a candidate passes or fails. If the ability level meets the required threshold, the candidate passes; if not, they fail.

How Long Before I Get NCLEX-PN Results in Illinois?

In Illinois, it typically takes one to two weeks to receive official NCLEX-PN results. The Illinois Board of Nursing verifies scores and completes administrative procedures before releasing results.

To check exam results, candidates can log into their Continental Testing Services (CTS) account or the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) website.

For those who cannot wait for official results, Pearson VUE offers Quick Results for $7.95, providing unofficial pass/fail status within 48 hours.

Retaking the NCLEX-PN in Illinois

If a candidate does not pass, they must:

Pay a $50 reexamination fee to the Illinois Board of Nursing.
Pay the $200 NCLEX registration fee to Pearson VUE.

After three failed attempts, candidates must complete a LPN nursing programs approved by the Illinois Board of Nursing before retesting.

NCLEX-PN Pass Rates: Illinois vs. National Averages

The 2023 national NCLEX-PN pass rate was 86.67%. However, the Illinois pass rate for practical nurses was 74.87%. This indicates a slight discrepancy in passing rates between Illinois and the national average.