Beginning in January 2005, some foreign nurses seeking licensure in the United States will be able to take the NCLEX exam closer to home. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has selected Seoul, South Korea; London, England; and Hong Kong as the first three foreign cities to offer NCLEX exams. If this initiative is successful, the organization may add more international locations in the future.
Foreign administration of the NCLEX exam won't affect any current state board of nursing process or requirement. Fees for taking the exam haven't been determined, but domestic exam fees won't be raised to subsidize the international testing initiative. An important benefit for foreign nurses will be the reduced costs associated with traveling to a test location.