Do you want to know if there’s a state you can go to where the NCLEX will be easier?
Keep reading because I have some good news and bad news. The first will be the bad news.
What is the Easiest State to Pass the NCLEX
None. There is no “easy” state to take the NCLEX. The NCLEX is a national exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Because it’s national, the NCLEX will be the same regardless of what state you choose to take it in.
NCLEX Prep Academy
Check out the comprehensive NCLEX prep review that I recommend. Don’t bother with other NCLEX preps that overpromise and underdeliver. Did I mention they have a 99.86% NCLEX pass rate?
Why It Doesn’t Matter Where You Take the NCLEX?
As stated above, the NCLEX is a national exam administered by the NCSBN.
Because it’s a national exam, it doesn’t really matter where you take it. Students in California, Florida, New York even international are taking the same NCLEX.
PRO TIP
This is why for those wondering if they can take the NCLEX in a different state other than their graduating school, the answer is yes, you can.
Best (Easiest) States to Pass the NCLEX
You might be wondering if I just said that the NCLEX is a national exam, and it doesn’t matter where you take it. Why do I have a list?
This list is based on the states that have the highest NCLEX pass rates.
When I started thinking about it, I figured if I had to take the NCLEX, I would probably rather take it in one of these states.
PLEASE NOTE:
The higher NCLEX pass rates probably has more to do with the overall quality of the schools in those states than the actual NCLEX exam itself.
- New Hampshire
- Delaware
- Nevada
- Louisiana
- South Dakota
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- North Dakota
- Arizona
Here’s the complete list below:
| U.S. State (or territory) | NCLEX Pass Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 96.2 |
| District Of Columbia | 94.8 |
| Delaware | 93.6 |
| Nevada | 93.2 |
| Louisiana | 92.8 |
| South Dakota | 92.4 |
| North Carolina | 92 |
| Pennsylvania | 91.7 |
| Tennessee | 91.7 |
| North Dakota | 91.6 |
| Arizona | 91.4 |
| Hawaii | 91.3 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 91.2 |
| California | 90.9 |
| Colorado | 90.7 |
| Texas | 90.7 |
| Washington | 90.6 |
| South Carolina | 90.4 |
| West Virginia | 90.2 |
| Nebraska | 90.1 |
| Oregon | 90.1 |
| Missouri | 90 |
| Massachusetts | 89.8 |
| Connecticut | 89.5 |
| Idaho | 89.2 |
| Maine | 89.1 |
| Montana | 89.1 |
| Michigan | 89 |
| Georgia | 88.8 |
| Kentucky | 88.8 |
| Utah | 88.7 |
| Wisconsin | 88.7 |
| Alaska | 88.5 |
| Mississippi | 88.5 |
| Rhode Island | 87.8 |
| Indiana | 87.7 |
| Vermont | 87.7 |
| New Jersey | 87.6 |
| Alabama | 87.5 |
| Maryland | 87.4 |
| Virginia | 87 |
| Illinois | 86.7 |
| Iowa | 86.6 |
| Kansas | 86.1 |
| New Mexico | 85.7 |
| Oklahoma | 85.3 |
| Ohio | 84.4 |
| Minnesota | 83.8 |
| Arkansas | 83.4 |
| New York | 83.2 |
| Wyoming | 80.8 |
| Florida | 68.8 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 64.7 |
NCLEX Prep Academy
Check out the comprehensive NCLEX prep review that I recommend. Don’t bother with other NCLEX preps that overpromise and underdeliver. Did I mention they have a 99.86% NCLEX pass rate?
Related Articles
Here are some articles related to “the easiest state to pass the NCLEX.”
- Does It Matter Where You Take the NCLEX?
- How Many Questions Are on the NCLEX?
- Can the NCLEX Shut Off at Any Time?
- What is the NCLEX CPR?
- Can I Take the NCLEX Without Work Experience?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NCLEX easier in other states?
No, the NCLEX is not easier in other states. The NCLEX is a national exam which means it will be the same regardless of which state you take it in.
Which state has the highest passing rate for NCLEX?
New Hampshire has the highest NCLEX passing rate. New Hampshire’s passing rate is 96.2 for first-time NCLEX-RN test takers.
