Setting the Passing Standard for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses

Abstract

The Board of Directors of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing evaluates the NCLEX-RN examination passing standard every 3 years. In December 2006, the Board decided that the NCLEX-RN passing standard should be increased from -0.2800 to -0.2100 logits. This article provides information regarding standard-setting methodologies, empirical data used by the Board of Directors in determining the passing standard, and implications of the new passing standard for faculty.