2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan: What’s Changing (and What’s Not)

Key Takeaway

Table of Contents

Short answer:‍

👉 Almost nothing (Good news!)

The 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan, effective April 1, 2026, has been released by the NCSBN. If you’re wondering whether this means you need to relearn everything or worry about a brand-new exam… take a breath.

Here’s what you actually need to know:

What’s NOT changing

✅ Passing standard stays the same‍
✅ Same exam structure and NGN format
✅ Same Client Needs categories and weighting
✅ Same core content (med-surg, pharm, mental health, OB, peds)

NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Client Needs Distribution Comparison

Client Needs Category / Subcategory	2023 Test Plan	2026 Test Plan	Changes
Management of Care	15–21%	15–21%	✔No changes
Safety and Infection Control (2023) → Safety and Infection Prevention and Control (2026)	10–16%	10–16%	⚠ Title updated
Health Promotion and Maintenance	6–12%	6–12%	✔No changes
Psychosocial Integrity	6–12%	6–12%	✔No changes
Basic Care and Comfort	6–12%	6–12%	✔No changes
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies	13–19%	13–19%	✔No changes
Reduction of Risk Potential	9–15%	9–15%	✔No changes
Physiological Adaptation	11–17%	11–17%	✔No changes

What IS changing

Minor wording updates to some category titles
- Examples:
  - Substance abuse → Substance misuse
  - Safety and Infection Control → Safety and Infection Prevention and Control to emphasize proactive infection prevention
One new statement emphasizing unbiased nursing care and equal access to care (This affects judgment and ethics questions — not memorization.)

What about taking the NCLEX at home?

The NCSBN notes that at-home NCLEX testing is being explored, but it will not be offered unless exam security, integrity, and fairness can be fully ensured.

For now, the NCLEX remains in-person at testing centers.

What this means for you

Even small test plan updates matter—make sure your NCLEX prep matches the 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan updates. NCLEX Bootcamp already does!‍

So, if you’re studying with NCLEX Bootcamp now, you’re already preparing for the 2026 exam. You can prep with confidence, we’ve got you covered!

How to Study for the NCLEX: What the Exam Covers, High-Yield Topics, and a Strategy That Works

This guide breaks down what’s on the exam, where to focus your time, and how to build a study routine that actually leads to progress.

What’s a Good NCLEX Score?: Understanding Scoring, Knowing If You Passed, and Deciding Whether to Retake

The NCLEX does not provide a numerical score or percentage. It is a pass/fail exam determined by how consistently you demonstrate minimum competency compared to the passing standard.

How to Register for the NCLEX: Step-by-Step Guide for U.S. and International Nurses

Registering for the NCLEX isn’t just a matter of paying a fee and picking a date. You’ll need approval from your State Board of Nursing (BON), and registration through Pearson VUE.