INTERNATIONALLY-EDUCATED NURSES SEEKING LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION
For Graduates of Nursing Education Programs Located Outside of the USA:
To be licensed in North Carolina as a Registered Nurse (or Licensed Practical Nurse), you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). If you would like to take the exam through the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON), you would need to meet the eligibility requirements first. Please note that a graduate of a Registered Nursing Education program is not eligible to apply for the NCLEX-PN.
If your nursing school was located outside of the US, then to be eligible to apply for the NCLEX through the NCBON you must complete a Education Evaluation through an evaluation agency who evaluates international education, have the Evaluation forwarded to the NCBON to be approved, and pass an English-proficiency exam (TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS, if your nursing program was not taught in English).
Here is the list of approved agencies.....
The NCBON does accept the CGFNS Certificate and Visa Screen Certificate for eligibility. Visit the CGFNS website ( www.cgfns.org ) for more information about their Certification Programs and their Credentials Evaluation Service (the Nursing and Science Course by Course Report).
If your Nursing Education Program was not taught entirely in English, you may visit the following sites for information about the different approved English proficiency exams:
www.toefl.org
www.toeic-usa.com
www.ielts.org
Once the above eligibility requirements are completed and approved, you may complete the NC Application for Licensure by Exam online (which is recommended). Go to our website (www.ncbon.com), then to the Online Services area on our HomePage (or under the QuickLinks) where you can use the Application for Exam (NCLEX) link. You may also use the menu options Licensure/Listing, then Examination, then Online Application. Please follow the instructions in the online NC Application for Licensure by Exam. All of your Eligibility and Licensure Requirements will be listed in the application.
Please note that the North Carolina Board of Nursing does require a Criminal Background Check (CBC) before a license can be issued, but it is not required for you to be eligible to apply for and take the NCLEX.
Also, effective October 1, 1997, in accordance with U.S. Title 42 U.S.C. 405 et al. and Section 343 of Public Law 104-208 (1996) and NC General Statute 93 B-14, individuals, foreign graduates or otherwise, who are seeking licensure by examination must have a valid social security number to be issued a license to practice nursing. While making application for a Social Security number, you may take the NCLEX in accordance with NC Administrative Code .0211 (a) and (b) (2).
No license will be issued until proof of the Social Security number is submitted to the NCBON and the Criminal Background Check is completed and approved.