What exactly is the NCLEX? The NCLEX is a thorough exam conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It determines whether candidates have the knowledge and abilities required to provide safe and effective nursing care at the entry level. The NCLEX comes in two flavors: NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and NCLEX-PN for practical/vocational nurses. The NCSBN, which is made up of nursing regulatory bodies from all 50 states in the United States, the District of Columbia, and four US territories, is in charge of protecting the public by guaranteeing safe nursing care. It establishes the requirements and guidelines for nursing licensing and creates the NCLEX exams.