Nursing students in Ohio may be wondering how to apply for an Ohio nursing license. To obtain nursing licensure through the Ohio Board of Nursing, candidates must complete an Ohio-approved nursing education program, apply for licensure through the board, and register for and take the NCLEX exam. The NCLEX Ohio ensures entry-level nurses are suited to provide patient care and passing the NCLEX is one of the requirements to become a registered nurse (RN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) working within the state of Ohio.
The Ohio NCLEX uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). CAT combines technology and assessment theory to create an efficient way for candidates to demonstrate nursing competencies. The NCLEX contains between 75 and 145 questions and the number of questions a candidate needs to answer varies. The computer determines the number of actual questions. Once the computer is 95% certain the candidate's ability is above or below the passing standard, it will discontinue giving questions. However, if a candidate is close to the passing standard, it will continue giving questions until the maximum number of test items has been reached.
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Create AccountThe Ohio NCLEX covers the following four main categories, two of which contain subcategories that are explored in more detail below:
The questions in each of these categories and subcategories cover nursing actions based on patient needs. More about each of these exam categories can be found below.
This category of the Ohio NCLEX demonstrates the candidate's ability to meet client needs and provide safe care for clients and health care staff. This category is further broken down into the following subcategories.
This portion of the Ohio NCLEX covers topics related to how a nurse will manage care in a clinical setting by acting in ways that support the safety of both the client and the nurse. Examples of activities that fall under the management of care on the NCLEX include:
The management of care questions make up between 17-23% of the NCLEX exam.
This subcategory relates to how a nurse protects clients and fellow health care workers from infection and other risks. Examples of nurse activity within this subcategory on the NCLEX include:
The safety and infection control questions make up between 9-15% of the NCLEX exam.
Health promotion and maintenance includes topics related to providing care using knowledge of human growth and development, preventative care, and methods of reaching exceptional health. Some of the actions within this category include:
Health promotion and maintenance covers 6-12% of the NCLEX exam.
Psychosocial Integrity involves nursing practices related to the emotional, mental, and social health of a topics related to providing care using knowledge of human growth and development, preventative care, and methods of reaching exceptional health. Some of the actions within this category include:
Psychosocial Integrity questions make up 6-12% of the Ohio NCLEX exam.
This category relates to actions nurses take to encourage health and wellness as well as risk reduction in the care setting. Physiological integrity includes four subcategories outlined below.
Basic care and comfort covers a nurse's ability to provide patients comfort and help. Actions within this category include:
Basic care and comfort items make up 6-12% of the NCLEX exam.
This subcategory provides questions relating to how a nurse administers care relative to medication and parenteral interventions. Examples of nurse activity within this subcategory on the Ohio NCLEX include:
Pharmacological and parenteral therapies questions comprise 12-18% of the Ohio NCLEX exam.
Reduction of risk potential involves nursing practices related to decreasing chances a patient will encounter complications or other health concerns relative to existing health conditions and treatments. Some of the actions within this category include:
This subcategory covers 9-15% of the questions on the NCLEX exam.
Physiological adaptation relates to the administration of care for patients who have physical health conditions that are acute, chronic, or life-threatening. Nursing actions assessed within this category of the NCLEX include:
Physiological adaptation covers 11-17% of all questions on the Ohio NCLEX.
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Create AccountRegistering for an Ohio nursing license is a three-step process. Before completing a nursing program, candidates are invited to apply for licensure through the Ohio Board of Nursing, register for the Ohio NCLEX exam, and await their Authorization to Test (ATT), which must be received before scheduling an NCLEX exam date.
Candidates looking for NCLEX Ohio testing dates can schedule to take the NCLEX exam online at the Pearson VUE registration page or by calling Pearson VUE customer service at 1-866-496-2539. Candidates will need their ATT and a method of identity verification. Scheduling online may be more efficient due to the high call volume. Scheduled tests typically fall within 30 days of a request to schedule.
Below is the fee schedule for licensure and NCLEX cost in Ohio. Please note that all fees associated with NCLEX registration are non-refundable.
| Type of Fee | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial licensure application via examination | $75 |
| NCLEX Registration Fee (Pearson VUE) | $200 |
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When a candidate arrives on exam day, they electronically sign the Candidate Statement, attesting to all conditions and rules of the NCLEX. Testing centers monitor candidates with audio and video recordings to ensure compliance with the Candidate Statement. The following actions are not permitted while taking the Ohio NCLEX exam and may cause candidates to fail the exam:
The Ohio Board of Nursing delivers NCLEX test results within 2-4 weeks from the exam date. The Pearson VUE Quick Results Service provides unofficial test results within two days. Quick results are available through Pearson VUE online for an additional fee of $7.95 payable by credit or debit card.
The following table represents 2021 first-time candidate pass rates for the NCLEX in Ohio.
| Exam Version | Total Exams Administered | Total Passing Candidates | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN | 9,299 | 7,353 | 79.07% |
| NCLEX-PN | 3,185 | 2,337 | 73.38% |
| Combined Total | 12,484 | 9,690 | 77.62% |
Candidates who fail the NCLEX exam in Ohio are sent an NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR) to better understand how to improve. Candidates must wait 45 days from the date of exam administration to retake the Ohio NCLEX. After that, candidates may schedule another exam attempt; however, before this, the candidate must first obtain a new Authorization to Test (ATT) from the Ohio Board of Nursing. Once the ATT is provided, the candidate may begin the process of rescheduling the NCLEX. Candidates have unlimited attempts to retake the NCLEX in Ohio, but all applicable exam fees are required each time.
Donna Melick, RN has worked in nursing for 34 years. Her roles have ranged from RN to Chief Nursing Officer to Adjunct Professor. In addition to her clinical, managerial, and teaching experience, Donna has developed lesson plans and coursework for nursing students. She passed the NCLEX and HESI. Donna completed an MSN in Nursing Administration at Otterbein College and an MBA in Healthcare Administration at Franklin University.
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Candidates can take the NCLEX up to eight times per year. There is a 45-day waiting period between test dates for each retake.
Once a candidate has received an Authorization to Test (ATT), they must schedule an appointment to take the test by logging onto the Pearson VUE website. Candidates may also call, but it is discouraged due to a high call volume.
Candidates have unlimited attempts to retake the NCLEX in Ohio, but all applicable exam fees are required each time a candidate registers.
Candidates must wait 45 days from the date of exam administration to retake the Ohio NCLEX. Candidates may schedule another exam attempt after obtaining a new Authorization to Test (ATT) from the Ohio Board of Nursing.
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