NCLEX-RN Nursing pass rate & how retakes work
Yes. NCSBN publishes NCLEX-RN pass rates and breaks them out by first-time vs. repeat and by U.S.-educated vs. internationally educated. For 2025, 86.7% of first-time U.S.-educated candidates passed, while the rate across all candidates and all attempts was 69.1%. NCSBN also publishes the passing standard, but it is not a percentage: the NCLEX-RN standard is 0.00 logits on the NCLEX-RN ability scale, in force for 2025. The exam is computer-adaptive, so there is no fixed number of correct answers that means "pass" — do not let anyone sell you a percentage cut score for the NCLEX.
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-RN Nursing practice questions with answer explanations and a full timed mock exam — no signup required.
练习一直免费。完整的 NCLEX-RN Nursing Licensure 学习指南是知识本身,从头到尾讲清楚 —— 可下载的 PDF + EPUB,永久归你。
Is there a published NCLEX-RN 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), candidates testing for U.S. licensure:
| Candidate group | Volume | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| First-time, U.S.-educated | 192,916 | 86.7% |
| Repeat, U.S.-educated | 42,513 | 52.7% |
| First-time, internationally educated | 52,827 | 47.3% |
| Repeat, internationally educated | 40,187 | 30.5% |
| All candidates | 328,443 | 69.1% |
Source: NCSBN — 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics (Research Brief Vol. 96, June 2026), Table 1 →
Those two numbers describe different people. 86.7% is the first-attempt rate for candidates from U.S. nursing programs — the figure most graduates of a U.S. program are actually asking about. 69.1% is every attempt by every candidate, including repeat attempts and internationally educated candidates, which is why it is so much lower. A site that quotes a single "NCLEX pass rate" without saying which population it means is not giving you a usable number. The same report also gives the figures quarter by quarter, so a rate you see quoted may be one quarter rather than the year.
NCSBN also publishes the passing standard, but it is not a percentage: the NCLEX-RN standard is 0.00 logits on the NCLEX-RN ability scale, in force for 2025. The exam is computer-adaptive, so there is no fixed number of correct answers that means "pass" — do not let anyone sell you a percentage cut score for the NCLEX.
Passing standard, source: NCSBN — 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics, Table 3: Summary Statistics for First-time, U.S.-educated NCLEX-RN Candidates →
NCLEX-RN Nursing facts
How many times can you retake the NCLEX-RN 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-RN Nursing practice questions with explanations.
Want the full picture of the difficulty and the content areas?
See how hard the NCLEX-RN Nursing exam is →Frequently asked questions
What is the NCLEX-RN Nursing pass rate?+
NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) publishes it. For calendar year 2025 (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025), candidates testing for U.S. licensure: First-time, U.S.-educated: 86.7% (192,916); Repeat, U.S.-educated: 52.7% (42,513); First-time, internationally educated: 47.3% (52,827); Repeat, internationally educated: 30.5% (40,187); All candidates: 69.1% (328,443). Source: NCSBN — 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics (Research Brief Vol. 96, June 2026), Table 1. Those two numbers describe different people. 86.7% is the first-attempt rate for candidates from U.S. nursing programs — the figure most graduates of a U.S. program are actually asking about. 69.1% is every attempt by every candidate, including repeat attempts and internationally educated candidates, which is why it is so much lower. A site that quotes a single "NCLEX pass rate" without saying which population it means is not giving you a usable number. The same report also gives the figures quarter by quarter, so a rate you see quoted may be one quarter rather than the year.
Is the NCLEX-RN 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 86.7% for first-time, u.s.-educated and 69.1% across all candidates in calendar year 2025 (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025), candidates testing for U.S. licensure. 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-RN Nursing exam?+
NCSBN also publishes the passing standard, but it is not a percentage: the NCLEX-RN standard is 0.00 logits on the NCLEX-RN ability scale, in force for 2025. The exam is computer-adaptive, so there is no fixed number of correct answers that means "pass" — do not let anyone sell you a percentage cut score for the NCLEX.
What happens if you fail the NCLEX-RN 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 1 →NCSBN — NCLEX Pass Rates dashboard (volume and pass rates by program, status and origin) →NCSBN — Exam Statistics & Publications →Last updated: September 2026 · sources above last read by hand that month