Welcome to this important stage in your educational journey! 

To get started.....in your final semester, you must apply for graduation.  You need to apply for graduation regardless of whether you plan to participate in the graduation or pinning ceremony.  To apply for graduation, go to Self Service: selfservice.matc.edu.  (Please note:  you don't have to wait until graduation to apply for your license!  Scroll down for more details).

Next, visit and bookmark the LicensE application portal to create an account and apply for your license.  Then visit and bookmark this website to create your Pearson Vue account . 

Next, familiarize yourself with the Eight Steps of the NCLEX listed below; these steps will walk you through the process of applying to a board of nursing to become a fully licensed nursing professional. 

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Note:  For students needing help, instead of emailing the DSPS general address or calling, the quickest way to get a response is to submit a help ticket. 

• 1.  It is recommended to log in first; then it is tied to the license.                

  2.  Click “Request Support” and complete the Ticket Details.  In Description, be very clear and concise’ choosing “Application Status” and then typing that in the description box will cause a delay in assistance.  The more information added to that box, the better support you will receive.  

  3. Students/graduates need to check their email for a response, including junk mail.  These are typically answered in 48-72 hours. 

  4. Students/graduates make sure to thoroughly review your application before submitting.  This includes any forms you are submitting.

1. Apply for MATC graduation by the deadline, regardless of whether you plan to participate in the graduation or pinning ceremony.  This step is necessary for the college to recognize that you are finishing your program.  Once a student officially graduates, the registrar needs to review each graduating student's record for proper credits to verify graduation.  The review may take six weeks or more.  Please be aware that all transferred credits from other colleges should have been transferred. Any application with missing credits will be denied.  

2. Apply for licensure with one board of nursing (see LicensE link above) 

and register and pay the required fee to Pearson VUE via the Internet or telephone.

• Payment via MasterCard, Visa or American Express will be accepted.

• You must be made eligible by the board of nursing (see Step 4) within 365 days of your registration and payment.

3. Receive Acknowledgement of Receipt of Registration from Pearson VUE by email.

• Your username and password for the Pearson VUE website is located in this email.

• Your State Board of Nursing makes you eligible in the Pearson VUE system.

4. Send completed Form #259 with your application number (example: PAR-0000001111) to the MATC graduation office (email: graduation@matc.edu).   

5. Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) email from Pearson VUE.

•  You must test within the validity dates (an average of 90 days) on the ATT. There are no extensions.

•  You no longer have to present the ATT email at your exam appointment.

6. Schedule your exam appointment via the Internet (by accessing your online account) or by telephone (international scheduling may only be done by phone).

7. Arrive for the exam appointment and present the accepted identification.

8. Receive your official results from your board of nursing up to six weeks after your exam (this time period varies among boards of nursing). 

You don't have to wait until graduation to APPLY for your license!  By applying early, you can save time later and may be able to work in the nursing field sooner.   

Here are the quick steps to find licensing information:

https://register.wisconsin.gov/AccountManagement/default.aspx

When creating an account-- For Systems You Will Access: select OLAS applicant.

Once a student officially graduates, the registrar needs to review each graduating student's record for proper credits to verify graduation. Please be aware that all transferred credits from other colleges should have been transferred. Any application with missing credits will be denied.  Check your program plan for course work required for your degree.

Once the state receives the statement of graduation, in addition to all of your forms and payment, you receive approval from the Board of Nursing on the Wisconsin DOA/Wisconsin site indicating that you are authorized to take the exam.  This usually occurs the second/third week after graduation. 

You will not need to bring a printed copy of the email to the test center, just an ID with the name that matches the name on the Authorization to Test letter. 

Please note:  You must have graduated from the nursing program in order to take the licensure exam.  A student may apply to take the exam before graduation but a student cannot take the exam prior to graduation.  REQUESTS to take the NCLEX before graduation from the program will not be granted.  

Visit and bookmark this helpful site:  https://www.nclex.com/

Testing Site Information

Due to capacity requirements imposed by local governments, test center locations and availability are continuously evolving. Therefore, candidates should log into their Pearson VUE accounts (http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/ncsbn/) to find test center locations availability. For answers to frequently asked candidate questions, test center policies and sanitation information, visit Pearson VUE’s dedicated webpage for NCLEX candidates (https://home.pearsonvue.com/nclex/essential-services) .

COVID 19:

Find up-to-date information about COVID-19’s impact on the NCLEX here. 

NCLEX Candidate Bulletin

The 2020 NCLEX Candidate Bulletin has been updated to reflect the modified NCLEX, and is available on the Candidate Bulletin & Information webpage (https://www.ncsbn.org/1213.htm) . Candidates should familiarize themselves with this document as it provides a multitude of NCLEX related information, including important contact information, details on how to register, the NCLEX Candidate Rules and results processing.

NCLEX Test Plans

Test plans for both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examinations can be found on the NCLEX Test Plans webpage. The NCLEX test plans outline the content to be tested and guide the item writing process. The test plans are updated every three years to reflect current, entry-level nursing competency. 

The new NCLEX test plans are EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2023 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2026

FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions are here. 

Social Media

Be sure to follow our NCLEX social media pages: 

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/NCSBNNCLEX

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/NCLEXInfo 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ncsbn/?hl=en

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NCSBN

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Chicago, Illinois 60601  USA

312.525.3600 | ** http://www.ncsbn.org/ (http://www.ncsbn.org/)

Temporary Permit and Examination

• Before sitting for the examination, an applicant may receive a temporary permit.  Completion of all requirements, except examination, submittal of Form 2434 and payment of a $10.00 fee are required to receive a temporary permit.

• The temporary permit allows the applicant to practice practical nursing under the direct supervision of a registered nurse until a credential is granted. A temporary permit is valid for a period of three months or until the holder receives failing examination results, whichever is shorter.  A temporary permit may be renewed once for an additional three-month period.

Please note:  The Wisconsin Technical College System has issued the following policy regarding the option for taking the NCLEX-RN licensure exam prior to graduation:  "In order to qualify for taking the NCLEX - RN prior to graduation, a student MUST PASS ALL 4th SEMESTER NURSING COURSES.  Permission will be granted by the Nursing Program Administrator”.