Foreign-educated nurses who live in China take the ISPN exam through TruMerit to validate their education against international standards. This page provides free practice questions, review materials, and administrative details covering exam delivery, fees, scoring benchmarks, and testing locations across China. Candidates can review sample questions and study materials to support their preparation.
The ISPN & CGFNS has 180 questions, takes about 3 hours and costs $225[1][2] (TruMerit, verified Oct 26, 2026).
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 180 questions (150 scored + 30 unscored pretest)[1] | trumerit.cn · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Time limit | 3 hours[1] | trumerit.cn · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Passing score | 1400 on a 1100–1700 scale[1] | trumerit.cn · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Exam fee | $225 (verification, exam and electronic certificate)[2] | TruMerit · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Validity | Lifetime (no expiry)[3] | trumerit.cn · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Delivery | Internet-based exam at test centres in 7 Chinese cities[1] | trumerit.cn · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Foreign-educated nurses who live in the program country (currently China)[2] | TruMerit · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Score release | Usually within 15 working days; certificate within 60 working days[4] | trumerit.cn · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Next exam date | November 16, 2026[2] | TruMerit · Oct 26, 2026 |
According to TruMerit, “The ISPN® program is for foreign-educated nurses seeking to validate their nursing education against international standards. Nurses who participate must reside in the country in which the program is offered (currently China).”[2]
The ISPN program is designed for foreign-educated nurses who reside in the program country, currently China, to validate their nursing education against international standards. Administration and scoring are conducted by TruMerit. The exam is delivered as an internet-based test at test centres located across 7 Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Weifang, and Wuhan. An exam date is scheduled for November 16, 2026.
Candidates face an examination fee of $225, which covers transcript document verification, the TruMerit Nurse Qualifying Exam, and an electronic certificate for candidates who achieve a passing mark. The test comprises 180 questions, split into 150 scored items and 30 unscored pretest items. Testers must complete the examination within a time limit of 3 hours.
Scoring ranges from 1100 to 1700, with a passing score set at 1400. Scores are usually released within 15 working days following the examination date, while certificates are issued within 60 working days. The credential carries lifetime validity with no expiration. Because specific licensing and credential requirements vary across jurisdictions and state boards of nursing, applicants should verify local board requirements through official regulatory sources.
Prepare for the ISPN & CGFNS exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: When prescribing Allopurinol (Zyloprim) to a patient, the nurse should include the following instructions:
Answer: B. a daily fluid intake of 3000 mL
Explanation:
Option B is correct because adequate fluid intake of 3000 mL daily promotes the excretion of uric acid and prevents renal stone precipitation. Option A is incorrect because allopurinol is typically taken after meals or with food to minimize gastrointestinal discomfort rather than on an empty stomach. Option C is incorrect because allopurinol decreases uric acid synthesis over weeks rather than providing rapid relief during acute attacks. Option D is incorrect because lip swelling indicates an allergic reaction or angioedema, which requires immediate medical evaluation and discontinuation of therapy. The general rule for antigout xanthine oxidase inhibitors is to maintain high urinary volume while monitoring closely for signs of hypersensitivity.
Question: Which document type does CGFNS require to be sent directly from the issuing institution?
Answer: B. Official transcripts and verification of licensure from the source
Explanation:
Option B is correct because credential evaluators require academic records and professional registration documents to originate straight from the issuing authority to confirm their legitimacy. Option A is incorrect because an applicant photocopy lacks independent authentication and could be altered. Option C is incorrect because personal declarations cannot substitute for institutional records. Option D is incorrect because letters from employers reflect work history rather than verified academic completion or regulatory standing. The general rule in credential evaluation is that direct verification from educational and licensing bodies is necessary to establish document authenticity and prevent credential falsification.
Question: What is the first step an internationally educated nurse must complete to begin the NCLEX-RN licensure process in the US?
Answer: A. Apply to a state board of nursing for eligibility determination
Explanation:
Option A is correct because the nursing regulatory body in the targeted jurisdiction evaluates foreign educational credentials and determines whether an applicant meets legal standards before granting testing approval. Option B is incorrect because testing vendors administer the examination only after receiving authorization from the licensing board. Option C is incorrect because the examination is administered under United States nursing regulatory bodies rather than home country authorities. Option D is incorrect because many jurisdictions accommodate international candidates without requiring a domestic identification number prior to credential review. The general rule is that licensure authority rests entirely with individual nursing boards, which must establish eligibility prior to test registration.
Candidates preparing for the examination scheduled on November 16, 2026, should structure their preparation around targeted review and realistic pacing. Start by completing diagnostic assessments using the ISPN & CGFNS Practice Test to identify knowledge gaps across clinical nursing topics.
Next, focus on specific clinical domains. Practice pharmacology interventions through the Psychopharmacology practice set, and refine psychiatric care principles with the ISPN Psychiatric Nursing Certification module. Candidates pursuing credentialing can explore the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation practice test and the NCLEX-RN Pathway module.
As test day approaches, simulate testing conditions using the Start Practice Test simulator. Build endurance to answer 180 questions within the 3 hours limit, reflecting the actual testing environment. Review every rationale thoroughly to understand the clinical concepts required to reach the passing standard of 1400 on the 1100–1700 scale.
The ISPN exam is administered as an internet-based test at testing centres in 7 Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Weifang, and Wuhan. Eligible candidates are foreign-educated nurses who reside in China, which is currently the program country where the examination is offered.
The examination consists of 180 questions in total, containing 150 scored questions and 30 unscored pretest questions. Candidates must complete the test within a time limit of 3 hours. The examination is delivered over the internet at authorized testing centres for candidates seeking validation of their education against international standards.
A score of 1400 is required to pass the ISPN exam, which is scored on a scale from 1100 to 1700. Scoring is completed by TruMerit. Score results are usually released within 15 working days following the test, and certificates are distributed within 60 working days to successful testers.
The examination fee is $225. This fee covers the verification of transcript documents, the TruMerit Nurse Qualifying Exam, and the issuance of an ISPN electronic certificate for candidates who successfully pass the test. The resulting credential carries lifetime validity with no expiration date, validating international nursing education.
An ISPN certificate has lifetime validity and does not expire. TruMerit issues an electronic certificate to passing candidates within 60 working days of the exam. Because the score remains valid indefinitely, holders do not need to renew the credential, though individual state licensing boards maintain separate jurisdictional requirements.
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