NCLEX-PN Nursing pass rate & how retakes work
Yes. NCSBN publishes NCLEX-PN pass rates and breaks them out by first-time vs. repeat and by U.S.-educated vs. internationally educated. For 2025, 86.6% of first-time U.S.-educated candidates passed, while the rate across all candidates and all attempts was 77.3%. NCSBN also publishes the passing standard, but it is not a percentage: the NCLEX-PN standard is -0.18 logits on the NCLEX-PN ability scale, in force for 2025. The exam is computer-adaptive, so no fixed number of correct answers means "pass".
The best way to pass on the first try
Retakes cost time and, often, another exam fee — so the goal is to pass the first time. The most reliable way is to practice real questions until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 400+ free NCLEX-PN Nursing practice questions with answer explanations and a full timed mock exam — no signup required.
La práctica sigue gratis. La guía completa de NCLEX-PN es el material en sí, explicado de principio a fin — un PDF + EPUB descargable que conservas.
Is there a published NCLEX-PN Nursing pass rate?
Yes. NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) publishes it. These are its own figures for calendar year 2025 (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025):
| Candidate group | Volume | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| First-time, U.S.-educated | 54,818 | 86.6% |
| Repeat, U.S.-educated | 13,342 | 41.7% |
| First-time, internationally educated | 397 | 53.7% |
| Repeat, internationally educated | 439 | 27.6% |
| All candidates | 68,996 | 77.3% |
Source: NCSBN — 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics (Research Brief Vol. 96, June 2026), Table 12 →
86.6% is the first-attempt rate for candidates from U.S. practical-nursing programs. 77.3% counts every attempt by every candidate, repeat attempts included, which is why it is lower. They are not interchangeable, and the gap between them is the whole story of what a retake costs you. The internationally educated rows cover fewer than 900 candidates in total, so treat those two percentages as small-sample figures.
NCSBN also publishes the passing standard, but it is not a percentage: the NCLEX-PN standard is -0.18 logits on the NCLEX-PN ability scale, in force for 2025. The exam is computer-adaptive, so no fixed number of correct answers means "pass".
Passing standard, source: NCSBN — 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics, Table 13: Summary Statistics for First-time U.S.-educated NCLEX-PN Candidates →
NCLEX-PN Nursing facts
How many times can you retake the NCLEX-PN Nursing exam?
There is generally no fixed lifetime cap. Here is how retakes work:
- If you don't pass, you can retake the exam. Each attempt generally requires registering (and paying any exam fee) again.
- The exam authority sets the retake policy, including any required waiting period between attempts. Confirm the exact wait on the official site before you rebook.
- You can prepare between attempts with unlimited free practice — PrepPass has 400+ free NCLEX-PN Nursing practice questions with explanations.
Want the full picture of the difficulty and the content areas?
See how hard the NCLEX-PN Nursing exam is →Frequently asked questions
What is the NCLEX-PN Nursing pass rate?+
NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) publishes it. For calendar year 2025 (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025): First-time, U.S.-educated: 86.6% (54,818); Repeat, U.S.-educated: 41.7% (13,342); First-time, internationally educated: 53.7% (397); Repeat, internationally educated: 27.6% (439); All candidates: 77.3% (68,996). Source: NCSBN — 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics (Research Brief Vol. 96, June 2026), Table 12. 86.6% is the first-attempt rate for candidates from U.S. practical-nursing programs. 77.3% counts every attempt by every candidate, repeat attempts included, which is why it is lower. They are not interchangeable, and the gap between them is the whole story of what a retake costs you. The internationally educated rows cover fewer than 900 candidates in total, so treat those two percentages as small-sample figures.
Is the NCLEX-PN Nursing first-time pass rate different from the overall pass rate?+
Yes, and the gap is large. NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) reports 86.6% for first-time, u.s.-educated and 77.3% across all candidates in calendar year 2025 (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025). The overall figure includes repeat attempts, which is why it is lower. Quoting one as if it were the other is the most common error on this topic.
What score do you need to pass the NCLEX-PN Nursing exam?+
NCSBN also publishes the passing standard, but it is not a percentage: the NCLEX-PN standard is -0.18 logits on the NCLEX-PN ability scale, in force for 2025. The exam is computer-adaptive, so no fixed number of correct answers means "pass".
What happens if you fail the NCLEX-PN Nursing exam?+
You can retake it. The authority may require a waiting period between attempts, so check the official page for the current rule. Working through practice questions until you consistently clear the standard you need is the most reliable way to do better next time.
Scoring and retake rules — confirm on the official authority:
NCSBN — National Council of State Boards of Nursing →NCSBN — 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics (Research Brief Vol. 96, June 2026), Table 12 →NCSBN — NCLEX Pass Rates dashboard (volume and pass rates by program, status and origin) →Last updated: September 2026 · sources above last read by hand that month