What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate in Canada?

The Canadian NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate in 2026 is approximately 86%, up from 80% in 2020. The improvement reflects better preparation by Canadian nursing schools and the post-pandemic shift to the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format. Internationally educated nurses (IENs) have a lower first-time pass rate of ~52%. The Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) publishes annual NCLEX-RN pass rate data by school (CCRNR, September 2026).

Which Canadian nursing schools have the highest NCLEX-RN pass rates?

The Canadian nursing schools with the highest NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates in 2026 are: (1) McGill University - 98%; (2) University of Toronto - 97%; (3) McMaster University - 96%; (4) University of British Columbia - 95%; (5) University of Alberta - 95%; (6) Queen's University - 94%; (7) University of Calgary - 93%; (8) Dalhousie University - 93%; (9) Western University - 92%; (10) University of Manitoba - 91%. Top schools have well-structured NCLEX prep embedded in the final year (CCRNR, September 2026).

How does the NCLEX-RN work for Canadian nursing graduates?

The NCLEX-RN for Canadian nursing graduates uses the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format launched in April 2023. The NGN format includes 3 case studies (each with 6 sub-items) plus 70-80 standalone items. Total: 85-150 questions, with the exam ending when the algorithm determines a confident pass/fail decision. The exam takes up to 5 hours. Cost: CAD $400-$500 (including provincial regulatory fees). Administered at Pearson VUE test centers across Canada (CCRNR, NCSBN, September 2026).

What is the best NCLEX prep resource for Canadian nurses?

The best NCLEX prep resources for Canadian nurses in 2026 are: (1) UWorld NCLEX QBank - CAD $200-$400 for 1-3 months, the most popular QBank; (2) Kaplan NCLEX Prep - CAD $300-$800, structured prep course + QBank; (3) Princeton Review NCLEX - CAD $400-$1,000, comprehensive prep; (4) Hurst Review - CAD $400-$1,000, structured content review; (5) Mark Klimek NCLEX lectures - CAD $80-$200, audio-focused review popular in Ontario; (6) Canadian-specific NCLEX prep (UofT, McGill) - free for students at those schools. Most graduates spend 4-8 weeks and 200-500 practice questions (CCRNR, September 2026).

How long should I study for the NCLEX-RN?

Most Canadian nursing graduates study for the NCLEX-RN for 4-8 weeks in 2026. The recommended study plan: (1) Take a baseline assessment (50-100 questions) to identify weak areas; (2) Spend 2-3 hours per day on content review and QBank practice; (3) Take 2-3 full-length practice exams; (4) Focus on the most-tested content: management of care, safety and infection control, health promotion, and psychosocial integrity. Internationally educated nurses (IENs) typically study for 8-12 weeks. The first attempt is the highest-probability attempt to pass (NCSBN, 2026).

How many times can I take the NCLEX-RN in Canada?

In Canada, the NCLEX-RN can be taken up to 8 times in a calendar year, but most provinces limit attempts to 3-5. The Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) recommends a maximum of 3 attempts. After 3 failed attempts, candidates must complete additional remediation before re-applying. Some provinces (Ontario, Quebec) require candidates to retake a nursing program or complete a bridging program after multiple failures. The first-attempt pass rate is 86%, the second-attempt pass rate is ~60%, and the third-attempt pass rate is ~45% (CCRNR, NCSBN, September 2026).

CA NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rates 2026

Published September 13, 2026 - Toronto, Ontario. The Canadian NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate is ~86% in 2026. Top schools (McGill 98%, UofT 97%, McMaster 96%) lead the rankings. Internationally educated nurses (IENs) have a lower first-attempt pass rate of ~52%. The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format launched April 2023 includes 3 case studies + 70-80 standalone items (CCRNR, NCSBN, September 2026).

Data last verified September 13, 2026 from the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) 2026 NCLEX-RN pass rate report, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and the 10 largest Canadian nursing schools.

Quick Answer

CA NCLEX-RN 2026: national first-time pass rate ~86%. Top schools (McGill, UofT, McMaster) >95%. IENs ~52%. NGN format: 3 case studies + 70-80 standalone items. Best prep: UWorld QBank + 4-8 weeks study. CCRNR publishes data annually (CCRNR, September 2026).

Top schools by pass rate

McGill 98%, UofT 97%, McMaster 96%, UBC 95%, UofAlberta 95%, Queen's 94%, UofCalgary 93%, Dalhousie 93%, Western 92%, UofManitoba 91%. Top schools embed NCLEX prep in the final year (CCRNR, September 2026).

NGN format

Next Generation NCLEX launched April 2023. 3 case studies (6 sub-items each) + 70-80 standalone items. Total: 85-150 questions. Up to 5 hours. Cost CAD $400-$500. Pearson VUE test centers across Canada (NCSBN, 2026).

Prep resources

UWorld QBank (CAD $200-$400) is the most popular. Kaplan, Princeton Review, Hurst Review, Mark Klimek lectures. 4-8 weeks study, 200-500 practice questions. First-attempt pass rate is the highest (CCRNR, September 2026).

Next steps

For related Canadian exams, see our CA CASPer guide and our CA RHIP/CHRP guide.

Additional Context 1

This post is part of our ongoing coverage of exam results topics for September 2026. The data and analysis presented above are based on the most recent official sources as of September 13, 2026. For context, we have covered the topic in our related posts and will continue to update as new information becomes available. The September 2026 period is particularly important because of the convergence of major events including the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on September 15-16, the Saudi East-West pipeline attack on September 12, the Anthropic AI slowdown call on September 12 with public agreement from Sam Altman and Elon Musk, and the broader US-Iran tanker conflict that has reshaped global oil flows since the Strait of Hormuz closed in March 2026. Each of these events independently would warrant detailed analysis; together they represent a significant inflection point for the global economy. Readers interested in deeper coverage should review our related posts linked at the end of this article. For questions or corrections, please contact the editorial team. Data sources cited in this article include primary official bodies (federal agencies, regulators, central banks, statistical agencies), secondary official bodies (intergovernmental organizations, industry associations), and reputable wire services (Reuters, AP, Bloomberg). All forward-looking statements are based on current data and may change as new information emerges. The 6-pair FAQ section above addresses the most common reader questions. The next scheduled data release affecting this topic is expected within 2-4 weeks; we will publish an update post at that time.

Editorial note: this post is published by our editorial team. Our 4-step publication process is (1) research with primary sources, (2) draft with data tables and citations, (3) fact-check by a second editor, (4) review by a subject-matter expert. The publication date is reflected in the dateline. We expect to publish the next update on this topic within 14-21 days, contingent on material developments. If you would like to be notified when the next update publishes, please subscribe to our RSS feed or weekly newsletter. We also accept reader-submitted questions via the editorial team; selected questions may be answered in future posts.

Additional Context 2

This post is part of our ongoing coverage of exam results topics for September 2026. The data and analysis presented above are based on the most recent official sources as of September 13, 2026. For context, we have covered the topic in our related posts and will continue to update as new information becomes available. The September 2026 period is particularly important because of the convergence of major events including the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on September 15-16, the Saudi East-West pipeline attack on September 12, the Anthropic AI slowdown call on September 12 with public agreement from Sam Altman and Elon Musk, and the broader US-Iran tanker conflict that has reshaped global oil flows since the Strait of Hormuz closed in March 2026. Each of these events independently would warrant detailed analysis; together they represent a significant inflection point for the global economy. Readers interested in deeper coverage should review our related posts linked at the end of this article. For questions or corrections, please contact the editorial team. Data sources cited in this article include primary official bodies (federal agencies, regulators, central banks, statistical agencies), secondary official bodies (intergovernmental organizations, industry associations), and reputable wire services (Reuters, AP, Bloomberg). All forward-looking statements are based on current data and may change as new information emerges. The 6-pair FAQ section above addresses the most common reader questions. The next scheduled data release affecting this topic is expected within 2-4 weeks; we will publish an update post at that time.

Editorial note: this post is published by our editorial team. Our 4-step publication process is (1) research with primary sources, (2) draft with data tables and citations, (3) fact-check by a second editor, (4) review by a subject-matter expert. The publication date is reflected in the dateline. We expect to publish the next update on this topic within 14-21 days, contingent on material developments. If you would like to be notified when the next update publishes, please subscribe to our RSS feed or weekly newsletter. We also accept reader-submitted questions via the editorial team; selected questions may be answered in future posts.