Registered Nurse Licensure Examination Day
All about the day of the licensure exam for registered nurses - April 2026
In this page, you will find an in-depth look at the exam day process, permitted and prohibited personal items, the location of the exam, and examination candidate rules.
We have compiled for you all of the information on the examination day process. We wish you best of luck.
The exam's location will be posted on the Nursing Division's website no later than one month before the exam day.
The exam will be administered in the morning or noon.
- Arrive at least one full hour before the scheduled testing time.
- The testing hall will open about 45 minutes before the scheduled testing time.
- To be allowed to enter the testing hall, you will have to agree to a security check – please prepare accordingly and arrive on time.
The exam is computer-based only; no paper or additional materials are permitted. All computer equipment will be provided by the Department of Nursing Licensure Examinations. The screen will include a digital notepad and a calculator, and a sheet of scratch paper will be provided at your desk. You may not remove it at the end of the exam. Support technicians will be present in every room to provide immediate assistance with any technical issues. Please bring the following to the exam:
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A printed copy of your exam notice
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A valid biometric ID card or a valid biometric passport (a driver’s license is not an acceptable form of ID). Admission to the state licensing exam for registered nurses will be granted only after verification of a valid biometric ID card or passport.
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Entry will not be permitted with an expired ID card or passport.
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A black or dark blue pen and a pencil
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A wristwatch (testing rooms do not have wall clocks, and smartwatches are not allowed)
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Drinks and a light snack (please choose items that do not make noise)
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Layered clothing (the venue is air-conditioned; please dress accordingly)
- A dictionary or electronic dictionary
- Draft or note sheet
- Mobile phone
- Ear buds
- A smart watch, flash drive, or any other electronic device used for shooting photos, scanning, recording, or communicating
- When you enter the testing hall, place any personal belongings (for example, a bag) at the front. You may access your personal belongings only after the exam ends. Sit at the desk that has your name and candidate identification number on it (it is specified in the licensure examination notice). You may not change the sitting arrangement.
- The items permitted on your desk: only an I.D. or a passport and a bottle of water.
- Breaks are permitted; ask the test administrator for permission. You may take a break 45 minutes after the exam starts, and no later than half an hour before the exam ends.
- Once you are inside the testing hall, you are not allowed to leave it until the end of the exam.
- The testing hall will open about 45 minutes before the scheduled testing time.
- The total exam time is four hours with no breaks. If you have an approval for extra time, the total exam time is five hours with no breaks.
The Nursing Division strictly considers any violation of examination candidate rules, including, but not limited to the identification process. Examples of violations:
- Using aid sheets.
- Talking to or helping another candidate in any way.
- Receiving help from another candidate in any way.
- Copying, scanning exam materials, or taking it out of the testing hall
- Using any electronic device during testing.
- Having any kind of technological support on the candidate's desk or close to the computer or desk.
- Disclosing or discussing information about the exam when on a break.
The Department of Nursing Licensure Exams has the authority to invalidate an exam even during its administration and reserves the right to refer a candidate to a Nursing Division Committee for disciplinary action over suspicion of any violation during the examination process.