Ibrahim Gardner
International students seeking to apply for the NCLEX in Massachusetts should be aware that the process can be complicated and involves working with multiple agencies, filling out forms, and sometimes meeting additional educational requirements. The NCLEX-RN is the only examination required for the Massachusetts Licensure by Examination process, and it is administered by Pearson Vue in testing centers across the US and internationally. Applicants must register with Pearson Vue, pay the $200 fee, and wait for their application for Licensure by Examination to be processed before scheduling the exam. They will also need to apply to the company that the Massachusetts Board contracts with to handle applications, which is currently Professional Credential Services (PCS), at a cost of $230.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Examination | NCLEX-RN |
| Examination Fee | $200 |
| Application Fee | $230 |
| Examination Time | 5 hours |
| Examination Type | Computer-based |
| Examination Difficulty | Adaptive |
| Passing Standard | 95% certainty |
| Retake Time | 45 days |
| Additional Requirements | Board-approved English Proficiency Test for applicants whose nursing programs were not taught in English |
| Additional Fees | Yes |
| Registration | Online or by telephone |
| Registration Requirements | Government-issued photo identification |
| Registration Time | Arrive at least 30 minutes early |
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What You'll Learn
Register with Pearson Vue and pay the fee
To register for the NCLEX-RN exam, international students must first register with Pearson Vue by visiting their website (www.pearsonvue.com/nclex) or by calling them at 866-496-2539. The registration fee for the Pearson Vue NCLEX is $200.
It is important to note that registering with Pearson Vue is not the same as scheduling the exam. International students must first complete the application process and receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice before they can schedule their exam. The ATT includes detailed instructions for choosing a testing centre and scheduling an exam date.
To complete the application process, international students must submit a Certification of Graduation to PCS, which stands for Professional Credential Services, the company that the Massachusetts Board contracts with to handle applications. The PCS Application costs $230. Once the PCS Application is submitted, applicants will receive a standard system-generated email regarding any missing documents. After all the required paperwork is received and the application is reviewed, it will be placed under Board review.
Approval of the application can take a few more weeks, and once approved, applicants will receive an email from Pearson Vue notifying them of their ATT. The ATT is valid for only 90 days, so applicants should schedule their exam promptly. On the day of the test, applicants must bring their ATT and a government-issued photo ID. They should also arrive at least half an hour early, as they will not be allowed to take the test if they are more than 30 minutes late.
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Submit a Certification of Graduation to PCS
To submit a Certification of Graduation to PCS, international graduates will need to complete a few steps. Firstly, ensure that your name on the PCS Licensure Application matches the name on your Certificate of Graduation and other documents exactly. This includes your COGs and transcripts. Any discrepancies will result in delays, as the application will be placed back in the review queue.
Secondly, complete the relevant Google form with your details, and submit this to the School of Nursing staff, who will then send the signed and sealed form and transcript to PCS within two weeks of your degree being conferred. This process cannot be tracked once the paperwork has been sent, so please allow several weeks for processing.
Thirdly, you will need to submit a 2x2" size colour passport-size photo with a plain background that has been taken within the last year. This should be sent, along with your completed application, to the following address:
> PCS Attn: MA Board of Registration in Nursing
> C/O MA Nurse Coordinator
> P.O. Box 198788
> Nashville, TN 37219
Finally, you should be aware that requesting NCLEX Accommodations will delay the review process. This requires completing paperwork that includes a section for the certified diagnostician. After all the required paperwork is received, your application will be reviewed by PCS, and then placed under Board review.
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Complete the required paperwork
To complete the necessary paperwork for NCLEX registration in Massachusetts, international students must follow several critical steps. Firstly, they need to submit a Certification of Graduation to PCS (Professional Credential Services), which is the company that the Massachusetts Board contracts with to manage applications. This certification will be completed and signed by an official from the student's educational institution. International students must also provide proof of high school education separate from their nursing school education.
Additionally, international students need to register with the testing company, Pearson Vue, which administers the NCLEX-RN exam. The registration fee for Pearson Vue is $200. Students should be mindful that registering with Pearson Vue is not the same as scheduling the exam. To schedule the exam, students must wait until their application for Licensure by Examination has been processed, and they have received an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice. The ATT includes instructions for selecting a testing centre and scheduling the exam within 90 days.
It is crucial for international students to ensure that their applications are completed in full, with correct and accurate information. Any discrepancies in the paperwork may cause delays in the approval process. Furthermore, requesting NCLEX accommodations due to disabilities will require additional paperwork and may prolong the review process.
International students may also need to provide proof of their English proficiency if their nursing programs were not taught in English. They can do so by taking a Board-approved English Proficiency Test. Moreover, they should be prepared to submit their educational and professional records, as these will be evaluated during the licensing process.
Lastly, international students should be aware that the process of obtaining a nursing license in Massachusetts can be complex and may involve working with multiple agencies and meeting additional educational requirements. The Welcome Back Center in Massachusetts is a valuable resource for internationally educated nurses, providing assistance and guidance in navigating the licensing process.
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Receive an ATT notice and schedule the exam
To receive an Authorisation to Test (ATT) notice, you must first submit an application for licensure by examination. This involves providing a Certification of Graduation to PCS, who handle applications for the Massachusetts Board. If your application is successful, you will be sent an ATT notice via email by Pearson Vue.
The ATT notice includes detailed instructions for choosing a testing centre and scheduling a date to take the NCLEX-RN. You can choose a testing site in Massachusetts or another state. The NCLEX-RN is administered by Pearson Vue in testing centres across the U.S. and internationally.
The ATT is only valid for 90 days, so you should schedule your exam promptly. On the day of the test, bring your ATT and a government-issued photo ID, and arrive at least half an hour early.
Before receiving your ATT, you may need to complete additional paperwork if you are requesting NCLEX Accommodations due to a disability. This will delay the review process.
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Take the NCLEX-RN exam
To take the NCLEX-RN exam, you must first register with the testing company, Pearson Vue, which administers the NCLEX-RN in testing centres across the US and internationally. Registration can be done via the web or by telephone. You will also need to make an application to the company that the Massachusetts Board contracts with to handle applications, which is currently Professional Credential Services (PCS).
The PCS application costs $230, while the Pearson Vue NCLEX registration costs $200. You will need to submit a Certification of Graduation, and if deemed eligible, you will be sent an application for licensure by examination. You will also need to provide proof that you are of good moral character, as defined by state law.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice. This includes detailed instructions for choosing a testing centre and scheduling a date to take the exam. The ATT is only valid for 90 days, so you should schedule your exam promptly.
On the day of the test, you must bring your ATT and a government-issued photo ID. You should arrive at least half an hour early, as you will not be allowed to take the test if you are more than half an hour late. The NCLEX-RN is a five-hour, computer-based examination that uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). This means that the test adjusts its difficulty level, content, and number of questions based on your answers. You will have up to five hours to complete the test, including time for the computer tutorial and optional breaks.
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Frequently asked questions
NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination. It is a national licensing exam for nurses.
To apply for the NCLEX in Massachusetts, you must provide proof that you:
- Are of good moral character, as defined by state law.
- Have completed your nursing education.
- Have passed the NCLEX.
- Have completed any necessary forms and met additional educational requirements.
First, you must submit a Certification of Graduation to PCS. If deemed eligible, you will receive an application for licensure by examination and can register for the NCLEX. You will need to pay a fee of $230 for the PCS application and $200 for the Pearson Vue NCLEX registration.
The NCLEX exam is a five-hour, computer-based examination that uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). This means that the difficulty level, content, and number of questions adjust based on your answers.
Yes, the Welcome Back Center assists nurses trained in other countries with the process of becoming registered nurses in Massachusetts. They can help with navigating the complicated process, which involves working with multiple agencies, filling out forms, and meeting additional educational requirements.
