Next Eligibility and Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nursing student completes all clinical hours but fails the NEXT on their first attempt. How many additional attempts are they typically allowed?
- One additional attempt only
- Unlimited attempts with no waiting period
- Additional attempts subject to state board rules and waiting periods (Correct answer)
- No additional attempts are permitted
Correct answer: Additional attempts subject to state board rules and waiting periods
Most state boards allow additional attempts after a waiting period, but the exact number and conditions vary by state.
Question 2: Which document must a candidate typically submit to prove graduation eligibility before taking the NEXT?
- A letter of intent from their nursing program
- An official transcript or verification of program completion from the nursing school (Correct answer)
- A personal statement describing clinical experience
- A reference letter from a supervising physician
Correct answer: An official transcript or verification of program completion from the nursing school
An official transcript or program completion verification confirms the candidate has met the educational prerequisite.
Question 3: Which of the following would make a candidate INELIGIBLE to sit for the NEXT?
- Having graduated more than six months ago
- Having a felony conviction that has not been reviewed by the state board (Correct answer)
- Applying to take the exam in a state other than where they attended school
- Completing an online rather than in-person nursing program
Correct answer: Having a felony conviction that has not been reviewed by the state board
An unreviewed felony conviction can disqualify a candidate, as boards evaluate criminal history before granting eligibility.
Question 4: If a candidate's Authorization to Test (ATT) expires before they schedule their exam, what must they do?
- Simply call the testing center to extend the ATT at no cost
- Reapply to the state board and pay applicable fees again (Correct answer)
- Take the exam at any walk-in testing center without an ATT
- Submit only a written request to NCSBN for an extension
Correct answer: Reapply to the state board and pay applicable fees again
An expired ATT requires the candidate to restart the application process and pay fees again.
Question 5: A candidate who studied abroad at a foreign nursing school and now resides in the US wishes to take the NEXT. What is the primary additional requirement they face?
- They must retake all nursing coursework at a US institution
- Their foreign credentials must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service approved by the state board (Correct answer)
- They must take a separate foreign nursing examination first
- They are permanently ineligible to take the NEXT
Correct answer: Their foreign credentials must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service approved by the state board
Foreign-educated nurses must have their credentials evaluated to verify equivalency to US nursing education standards.
Question 6: For the NEXT, which agency is responsible for developing and maintaining the examination?
- The American Nurses Association (ANA)
- The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) (Correct answer)
- The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
- The US Department of Health and Human Services
Correct answer: The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
NCSBN develops and administers the NCLEX/NEXT examinations used for nursing licensure across the US.
Question 7: A candidate with a documented disability requests extended testing time for the NEXT. When should this request be submitted?
- On the day of the examination at the testing center
- After receiving the ATT but before scheduling the appointment
- During the application to the state board, before eligibility is confirmed (Correct answer)
- At any point within 30 days of the exam date
Correct answer: During the application to the state board, before eligibility is confirmed
Accommodation requests must be submitted during the state board application process so they can be reviewed and approved before the ATT is issued.
Next Eligibility and Requirements 2
A nursing student completes all clinical hours but fails the NEXT on their first attempt.
How many additional attempts are they typically allowed?