INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS SEEKING LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION IN NC
Requirements for licensure by examination for applicants who were educated outside of the United States and other member board jurisdictions include:
1. Documentation of comparable education to that required by graduates of NC Nursing Education Programs
To be mailed to:
NCBON
Exam Department
PO Box 2506
Raleigh, NC 27602-2506
2. Evidence of English Proficiency
3. *Valid Social Security Number
4. *Satisfactory criminal background check
*required prior to license being issued. Examination may be taken prior to completion.
Documentation for Education
NCBON approves the following agencies for providing documentation of education. Select one of these agencies and request a health professional evaluation of credentials be sent directly to the North Carolina Board of Nursing for review.
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (www.cgfns.org)
3600 Market St., Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651
Telephone: 215.222.8454
Josef Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.com)
7101 SW 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
Telephone: 305.273.1616
The North Carolina Board of Nursing does accept the CGFNS Certificate to meet education and English proficiency requirements.
Documentation for English Language Proficiency
TOEFL-Test of English as a Foreign Language (www.toeflgoanywhere.org)
Passing score: Registered Nurse: TOEFL-213, TOEFL iBT-83
Licensed Practical Nurse: TOEFL-207, TOEFL iBT-79
TOEIC-Test of English for International Communication (www.toeic.org)
Passing score: Registered Nurse: TOEIC-725
Licensed Practical Nurse: TOEIC-700
IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (www.ielts.org)
Passing score: Registered Nurse: IELTS-6.5 (academic)
Licensed Practical Nurse: IELTS-6.0 (general)
The English Proficiency examination expires two years after the date the examination was taken.
For applicants to be EXEMPT from the English proficiency requirement, they must meet ALL of the following criteria:
Their entry-level professional education occurred in the United States, Canada (except Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand
The language of instruction was English
The language of the textbooks was English
Notification of eligibility
Once the Credential Evaluation report has been reviewed and determined to be meet requirements, the candidate will be notified. It is important to insure the Examination Department has current contact information.
Application for Licensure by Examination
Once the above eligibility requirements are complete AND approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, then the applicant becomes eligible for Licensure by examination. Complete the Application for Licensure and submit it to the North Carolina Board of Nursing - www.ncbon.com/nclex
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has contracted with NCS Pearson to administer NCLEX using Computerized Adaptive Testing. Candidates must register to take the licensure examination with NCS Pearson - www.vue.com/nclex
When the NC Application for licensure by examination and a matching application for the testing service are present at NCS Pearson, you will be declared eligible to take the examination.
NCS Pearson will send an AUTHORIZATION TO TEST (ATT), by mail and email if you have provided an email address on your registration. Your ATT will provide instructions on scheduling your examination. You must have your ATT document before you call to make an appointment to take NCLEX, and you must take your ATT to be admitted to the test center on the day of your examination.
You will not be admitted to the examination without your ATT. (See Personal Identification and Examination Security and Day of Examination Procedure in NCLEX Candidate Bulletin)
Application status check for Exam
Applicants can check the status of their NC application for NCLEX by visiting the website www.ncbon.com. It will identify that the application has been received, date declared eligible, and date ATT issued.
The initial Application for Licensure by Examination, and the criminal background check will be held active for one year from the date the candidate is determined to be eligible to test. The ATT is valid for 180 days from the date of eligibility. If you do not take NCLEX, and the ATT expires, you will have to re-establish eligibility. This is accomplished by completing the Re-Establish Eligibility Application for the North Carolina Board of Nursing. You will also have to register again with NCS Pearson through the NCLEX Candidate website www.vue.com/nclex or by calling NCLEX Candidate Services at 800.496.2539.
Examination results will be mailed to the candidate within one month after taking the examination. DO NOT CALL the North Carolina Board of Nursing, NCLEX Candidate Services, the Pearson Professional Centers or NCSBN for examination results. We do not provide exam results by phone; however, you may verify licensure by our verification system at website www.ncbon.com or by calling 919.881.2272. Telephone inquiries and letters requesting information will not accelerate the process.
Social Security Number Required
Effective October 1, 1997, in accordance with U.S. Title 42 U.S.C. 405 et al and Section 343 of Public Law 104-208 (1996) and NC General Statute 93 B-14, individuals, foreign graduates or otherwise, who are seeking licensure by examination must have a valid Social Security number to be issued a license to practice nursing. While making application for a Social Security number, you may take the NCLEX in accordance with NC Administrative Code .0211 (a) and (b) (2). No license will be issued until proof of the Social Security number is submitted to North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON).
Please note that the North Carolina Board of Nursing does require a Criminal Background check before a license can be issued, but it is not required for you to be eligible to apply for and take the NCLEX.
Summary
- Credential Evaluation Services (CES) documentation of education
- English language proficiency examination
- Application for Licensure for North Carolina Board of Nursing www.ncbon.com/nclex
- Register to take the licensure examination with NCS Pearson www.vue.com/nclex
- Valid Social Security Card
- Satisfactory Criminal Background check
Contact information
North Carolina Board of Nursing
Examination Department
P O Box 2506
Raleigh NC 27602-2506
919.782.3211
Website: www.ncbon.com
Email: examdept@ncbon.com