NCLEX pass rates: first-time and overall
NCLEX pass rates depend heavily on who is counted. First-time, US-educated RN candidates pass at around 87%, while the rate across all candidates, including repeat and internationally educated testers, was 69.1% in 2025. NCSBN publishes the data, so check its dashboard for the latest.
Where the numbers come from
| Group | Reported rate | How far to trust it |
|---|---|---|
| RN, first-time, US-educated, 2025 | About 87% to 88% | Consistent across sources; confirm on NCSBN |
| RN, first-time, US-educated, Q1 2026 | 86.8% | One source, quarterly and early |
| RN, all candidates, 2025 | 69.1% | Reported by more than one source |
| PN, all candidates, 2025 | 77.3% | Reported by a prep provider |
| Repeat testers | Reported far lower, around 45% to 50% for RN | Unverified; a single estimate |
NCSBN publishes the underlying data. The figures below are as reported by third-party sites citing it.
Why the numbers differ so much
A first-time, US-educated candidate is the group most prep marketing quotes, and it is the highest rate. The all-candidates figure includes people retaking the exam and nurses educated outside the US, who pass at lower rates, so it is much lower. Neither number is wrong; they answer different questions.
Sources also note that 2024 was the highest NCLEX-RN pass rate in over a decade, and that the rate dropped back in 2025.
What to do with these numbers
Most first-time US-educated candidates pass, so the exam is passable with a sound plan. It is not a reason to skip practice.
A failed attempt costs $200 and a 45-day wait. Readiness assessments from a question bank help you avoid a first fail.
Providers often quote very high pass rates for their own users. These are self-reported and unaudited, so we do not rank on them.
Common questions
Where can I see the official numbers?
Quarterly and annual results are on NCSBN’s website, usually broken down by first-time and repeat candidates, and by US-educated and internationally educated.
Is the RN or the PN exam easier?
On the all-candidates figures the PN rate was higher in 2025 (77.3% against 69.1% for the RN). But the groups of candidates differ, so the numbers are not a like-for-like measure of difficulty.