About the NCLEX-PN Exam
Review status: Draft. This NCLEX-PN content has not been reviewed by a licensed nursing professional. LPN/VN scope of practice varies by state, setting and facility policy; always follow your program, your state's nurse practice act and your facility's policies.
The NCLEX-PN is the licensure exam for practical and vocational nurses in the United States. It is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The 2026 NCLEX-PN Test Plan is effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029.
Client Needs categories
| Category | Percentage of items |
|---|---|
| Coordinated Care | 18–24% |
| Safety and Infection Prevention and Control | 10–16% |
| Health Promotion and Maintenance | 6–12% |
| Psychosocial Integrity | 9–15% |
| Basic Care and Comfort | 7–13% |
| Pharmacological Therapies | 10–16% |
| Reduction of Risk Potential | 9–15% |
| Physiological Adaptation | 7–13% |
Exam format
- The exam uses computerized adaptive testing and has between 85 and 150 items.
- The time limit is 5 hours, including breaks.
- Every exam includes clinical judgment case studies of six items each, along with stand-alone items.
- Practice on this site uses several educational item formats. They are not exact reproductions of the exam interface; see the official NCLEX site for current item types.
Dosage Calcs cannot predict whether you will pass and does not simulate adaptive scoring. For registration, rules and the full test plan, use the official sources:
NCLEX®, NCLEX-RN®, NCLEX-PN® and NCSBN® are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN). Dosage Calcs is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or approved by NCSBN. All NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN practice questions on this site are original educational content written for Dosage Calcs; they are not official or actual exam questions.