The 2026 NCLEX-RN test plan, explained.
The 2026 test plan is the current NCLEX-RN blueprint from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It's based on the 2024 RN Practice Analysis, and — apart from one subcategory rename — it leaves the exam's weights, structure, scoring, and passing standard unchanged.
Effective dates, and the one change.
When it applies
The 2026 NCLEX-RN test plan is in effect from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029. It's built on the NCSBN's 2024 RN Practice Analysis — a periodic study of what newly licensed nurses actually do — which is how the blueprint stays tied to real practice.
The only substantive change
Compared with the 2023 plan, one subcategory was renamed: “Safety and Infection Control” is now “Safety and Infection Prevention and Control.” That's it. The weights, structure, scoring, and passing standard are unchanged — so prep built for the prior plan still applies.
The eight Client Needs categories.
Every NCLEX-RN item maps to one of eight Client Needs categories or subcategories. The percentage ranges below are the share of the scored exam each one represents.
| Category | Percent of items |
|---|---|
| Management of Care | 15–21% |
| Safety and Infection Prevention and Control | 10–16% |
| Health Promotion and Maintenance | 6–12% |
| Psychosocial Integrity | 6–12% |
| Basic Care and Comfort | 6–12% |
| Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies | 13–19% |
| Reduction of Risk Potential | 9–15% |
| Physiological Adaptation | 11–17% |
Structure and the passing standard.
Exam structure
The NCLEX-RN is a variable-length computerized adaptive test (CAT). You'll answer between 85 and 150 items within a 5-hour time limit. Of those, 15 are unscored pretest items the NCSBN uses to trial future questions — you won't know which ones they are.
Passing standard
The current RN passing standard is 0.00 logits, in effect through March 31, 2029. Logits are the units on the exam's measurement scale. As an adaptive test, the exam ends using the 95% confidence-interval rule, the maximum-length rule, or the run-out-of-time rule.
Clinical judgment runs through it.
The 2026 plan is a Next Gen NCLEX blueprint, so clinical judgment is measured throughout using the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM). Its six cognitive skills, in order, are:
- 1Recognize Cues
- 2Analyze Cues
- 3Prioritize Hypotheses
- 4Generate Solutions
- 5Take Action
- 6Evaluate Outcomes
For a fuller walkthrough of the format, see what the Next Gen NCLEX is.
Practice on the 2026 plan, free.
Every FirstPassRN question is mapped to the eight Client Needs categories and the NGN item types in this blueprint, scored the way the real exam scores them. It's free during our open beta, with no card.
Common questions.
When does the 2026 NCLEX test plan take effect?+
The 2026 NCLEX-RN test plan is in effect from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029. It is based on the 2024 RN Practice Analysis conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
What changed in the 2026 NCLEX test plan?+
The only substantive change from the previous (2023) plan is a subcategory rename: 'Safety and Infection Control' became 'Safety and Infection Prevention and Control.' The category weights, exam structure, scoring, and passing standard are unchanged.
How many questions are on the NCLEX?+
The NCLEX-RN is a variable-length computerized adaptive test (CAT) of 85 to 150 items, with a 5-hour time limit. That total includes 15 unscored pretest items the NCSBN uses to evaluate future questions.
What is the NCLEX passing standard?+
The current RN passing standard is 0.00 logits, in effect through March 31, 2029. Logits are the units on the exam's measurement scale; a candidate must demonstrate ability at or above that point to pass.