NCLEX Pass Rate 2026: RN & PN Data by Candidate & State

The first-time, U.S.-educated NCLEX-RN pass rate is 86.7% (2025 NCSBN data, the most recent full year), and the first-time NCLEX-PN rate is 86.6%. The all-candidate NCLEX-RN rate is lower — 69.1% — because it folds in repeat testers (who pass at about 52.7%) and internationally educated candidates (about 47.3% on a first attempt). Those figures reflect real differences in preparation, program quality, and who sits for the exam. This guide breaks down what the current data shows by candidate type, program, and state, and the five factors that actually predict first-time success.

What is the current NCLEX-RN pass rate?

NCSBN publishes pass rates by candidate type, and they vary by educational program (BSN vs ADN), first-time vs. repeat status, and whether a candidate is U.S.- or internationally educated. The headline figures from the most recent full-year NCSBN data (2025):

The 86.7% first-time figure shows how well-prepared domestic graduates are at their first attempt. The 69.1% overall rate is lower because it includes repeat testers (~52.7%) and internationally educated candidates (~47.3% first attempt). On the PN side, the first-time U.S. rate climbed from 79.1% in 2024 to about 86.6% in 2025 — a notable recovery. NCSBN updates these figures continuously via its live dashboard, so check the source for the latest 2026 quarterly numbers.

First-time vs. repeat NCLEX pass rate: why the gap matters

There is a large gap between first-time and repeat testers — about 34 percentage points for U.S.-educated candidates (86.7% first-time vs. 52.7% on repeat). For internationally educated candidates the gap is starker: 47.3% first attempt, 30.5% on repeat.

The takeaway is blunt: if you fail the first attempt, your probability of passing drops from 86.7% to 52.7%, because the preparation strategy that produced a failing score will not produce a passing one without meaningful changes to study approach, question volume, and clinical reasoning practice. Each failed attempt also adds time since graduation, financial cost, and test-day pressure. The data argues strongly for treating your first attempt as the one that counts — and if you do need a retake, our guide on how many times you can take the NCLEX walks through the reset.

NCLEX pass rate by program type: BSN vs ADN vs internationally educated

NCSBN also breaks down first-time pass rates by degree type. The 2024-to-2025 comparison:

BSN graduates pass at slightly higher first-time rates than ADN graduates, and both far exceed internationally educated candidates — but the BSN-over-ADN advantage is real and modest. What matters more than degree type is the individual program: its admission standards, clinical hours, use of exit exams (ATI Proctored, HESI), and historical NCLEX outcomes. A rigorous ADN program at a selective community college will produce graduates who outperform those from a weak for-profit BSN program. For internationally educated candidates, the 47% first-time rate largely reflects unfamiliarity with the Next Generation format rather than clinical-knowledge deficits.

NCLEX pass rate by state

First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates vary widely between the highest- and lowest-performing jurisdictions. In 2024 the national first-time average was 91.2%. New Hampshire has held the top spot every year since 2018, consistently exceeding the national average by five or more points; North Dakota and Nebraska follow closely, regularly above 93%. These states share a profile: relatively few nursing programs, higher selectivity, lower candidate volume, and predominantly BSN-granting institutions.

Large, high-volume states like Florida and New York tend to sit below the national average because their reporting pools include more for-profit graduates, more internationally educated candidates, and more repeat testers. Within any state, individual program pass rates vary enormously — so a state-level number tells you about the candidate mix, not the difficulty of the board. You can pull the full breakdown by jurisdiction from the NCSBN exam statistics and publications.

What factors actually predict NCLEX success?

Pass-rate data tells you what happened; predictor research tells you what to do about it. Five factors consistently appear in NCSBN research, ATI outcome data, and nursing-education literature as the strongest predictors of first-time success.

1. Question-bank volume. Working through full, timed question sets — reviewing every rationale and tracking performance by content domain — is one of the most important prep activities in multiple outcome studies. Candidates who enter with fewer than 1,000 practice questions pass at lower rates than those exceeding 1,500. See how this connects to how many questions are on the NCLEX.

2. Clinical-judgment fluency on NGN item types. Since the NGN launched in April 2023, unfolding case studies test Layer 3 of the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model. Candidates who drill only discrete recall questions underperform on this component — practice the NGN item types directly.

3. Time since graduation. The longer the gap between graduation and exam date, the lower the pass rate, even after controlling for prep hours — content and test-taking fluency atrophy. Schedule your exam within about four to eight weeks of graduation.

4. Program quality signals. ATI Proctored and HESI exit scores, clinical-coursework GPA, and your program's NCLEX history all predict outcomes. If your program's first-time rate is below 80%, build a study plan that compensates for the systemic gap.

5. Structured prep with spaced repetition. Active retrieval and spaced repetition (Anki, ATI/UWorld algorithms) outperform passive re-reading, and timed mock exams under full conditions predict performance better than untimed practice. Build the habit with our NCLEX study plan.

What the NGN did to pass rates: the 2019–2026 trend

The Next Generation NCLEX launched April 1, 2023. Its effect on pass rates was immediate, then complicated — and understanding the trend shapes how you should read the numbers cited in program materials.

In three phases: the 2020–2022 COVID collapse (virtual clinicals produced the 79.9% decade low in 2022); the 2023–2024 NGN recovery (full clinical rotations plus a format better aligned to practice pushed first-time rates to 91.2% in 2024); and the 2025 normalization dip to 86.7%, driven by a false-security effect, a lingering pandemic-coursework lag, and a candidate-pool shift toward more international and repeat testers. The NGN format did not cause the dip — candidate preparation did.

What this means for 2026 candidates

86.7% is a strong first-time rate by any historical standard, but do not treat 2024's unusual 91.2% as the new baseline — prepare for 86–88%, not 91%. NCSBN also updated the NGN test plan on April 1, 2026, increasing emphasis on clinical-judgment case studies; pass-rate data under the updated plan will not be available until late 2026.

NCLEX pass rate FAQ

What is the NCLEX pass rate in 2026?

The first-time, U.S.-educated NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2025 (the most recent full-year data) was about 86.7%; the all-candidate rate was 69.1%. NCSBN updates figures continuously on its pass-rates page.

What percentage of nurses fail the NCLEX on the first attempt?

About 13% of first-time U.S.-educated NCLEX-RN candidates fail on the first attempt. For repeat testers, the fail rate rises to roughly 47%.

Does getting fewer questions on the NCLEX mean you passed?

No. The number of questions (85 to 150) does not indicate pass or fail — the exam stops when the algorithm reaches 95% confidence in either direction. See how many questions are on the NCLEX for the full explanation.

Is there a passing score on the NCLEX?

No numeric score is reported. The NCLEX is a pass/fail decision based on whether your demonstrated ability exceeds the passing standard with 95% confidence.

Which state has the highest NCLEX pass rate?

New Hampshire has held the highest overall NCLEX pass rate every year since 2018, typically exceeding the national average by five or more points, with North Dakota and Nebraska close behind.

How does my program's pass rate affect my chances?

Significantly. A program with a 95% first-time rate produces better-prepared graduates on average than one at 78%, and your individual prep should account for any systemic gap. Look up your program's rate at ncsbn.org before you sit.

The bottom line

• The number that matters most: 86.7% first-time, U.S.-educated NCLEX-RN (2025). The 69.1% overall rate is lower because it includes repeat and internationally educated testers — keep those populations separate when interpreting any figure.

• The cautionary number is the repeat rate: 52.7%. Treat your first attempt as the one that counts.

• The 2025 dip is real but not alarming: 86.7% is strong historically. Do not extrapolate from 2024's unusually high 91.2%.

• Your program matters more than your state: state rates reflect candidate mix, not board difficulty.

• The highest-yield action: complete 1,000+ practice questions in timed, test-conditions format with full review of every explanation — right or wrong.