NCSBN Finalizes Agreement With Canadian Nurse Regulators

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - Jul 19, 2012) - The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN^®), www.ncsbn.org, has finalized agreements to provide its computerized adaptive test (CAT), the NCLEX-RN® Examination, in Canada beginning in 2015. In partnership with 10 Canadian registered nurse (RN) regulatory bodies* NCSBN will develop and deliver the exam that will be used as a licensure requirement in Canada.

The NCLEX-RN Examination is currently offered in 10 countries around the world for the purpose of domestic licensure in the U.S but this partnership marks the first time that the test will be used for the purpose of licensure in another country.

Canadian RN regulators initially selected the NCLEX-RN Examination after identifying the need for an exam that employs the latest advances in testing technology to enhance test security, increase accessibility to the exam by offering year-round testing, provide timely results and allow for precise assessment of an individual candidate's performance. The NCLEX-RN already employs these exam delivery features and will fulfill regulatory requirements to assess a candidate's ability to meet the entry to practice competencies for nursing in Canada.

"We are delighted to advance this process and look forward to working with our Canadian counterparts to deliver the NCLEX-RN exam in 2015," commented NCSBN Board of Directors President Myra A. Broadway, JD, MS, RN, executive director, Maine State Board of Nursing.

NCSBN became the first organization to implement CAT for U.S. licensure examinations in 1994 and is uniquely qualified to provide a psychometrically sound and legally defensible computerized adaptive test. Widely regarded as one of the preeminent licensure examinations in the world, the NCLEX examinations are constantly and rigorously evaluated to keep pace with the rapidly evolving health care environment

*Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
Association of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island
College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta
College of Nurses of Ontario
College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia
College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia
Nurses Association of New Brunswick
Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN^®) is a not-for-profit organization whose members include the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories -- American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. There are also nine associate members. Mission: NCSBN provides education, service and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection.

The statements and opinions expressed are those of NCSBN and not the individual member state or territorial boards of nursing.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277