Education

The North Carolina Board of Nursing establishes the standards for nursing education programs preparing for nursing licensure. These standards are designed to ensure that graduates have the necessary education to safely and competently practice nursing. The Board of Nursing has jurisdiction over pre-licensure nursing education programs, such as the Licensed Practical Nurse, Associate Degree in Nursing, Registered Nurse Diploma, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. After successful completion of a pre-licensure nursing education program, the applicant is eligible to test for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX®) prepared by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The NCLEX examination measures competence for entry-level practice for graduates of Board-approved pre-licensure nursing education programs.