Exam (REx-PN)

Who needs to take the REx-PN

You must take the REx-PN if:

You are a new graduate of a B.C. practical nursing program who wants to practice in B.C.
You are a new graduate of a practical nursing program elsewhere in Canada who had never held practising registration, and want to practice in B.C.
You are in internationally-educated nurse who has never held practising registration in Canada and want to practice in B.C.
If directed by the Registration Committee.

You do not need to take the REx-PN if:

You are currently registered as a licensed practical nurse (or equivalent) in another Canadian province and want to practice in B.C. Learn how to apply.

How to apply

1. Apply for practising LPN registration (and accommodations if required): The first step is to create a BCCNM account. Upon completion of your nursing program (if applicable), sign into your BCCNM account and apply for practising LPN registration and pay the application fee. Learn how to apply.

As part of your application assessment, we will also assess your eligibility to write the REx-PN. You will be asked about any accommodation requests for writing the exam on the LPN practising registration application. Learn more about exam accommodations.
2. Register and pay for the exam: If you are assessed as eligible to take the REx-PN, you will receive an email from BCCNM Registration Services with instructions to register and pay for the exam through the Pearson Vue website.
3. Wait for authorization to test: After you register and pay for the exam, Pearson Vue will send you an email confirming your authorization to test (ATT) and instructions on how to schedule your exam date, time, and location. Your ATT is valid for 90 days; you must take the exam within the validity period or your exam registration with Pearson Vue will be cancelled. The fee is non-refundable.
4. Schedule your exam date and location: Follow the instructions from Pearson Vue to schedule your exam date and location. The date and location that you take the exam will depend on your personal preference and the availability of testing centres. We encourage you to schedule your exam as soon as possible to secure your chosen date and location.
5. Wait for scheduling confirmation: After scheduling your exam, Pearson Vue will send you a confirmation email that includes all the information you need for the exam day.

Exam format

The REx-PN uses a computer-adaptive test (CAT) format. The test will adapt questions to your ability level as you proceed through the exam. Learn more about CAT testing.

Fee

The fee to write the REx-PN is $350+GST per attempt. This fee is paid directly to Pearson Vue and is non-refundable. This is in addition to BCCNM application and registration fees.

Locations and dates

The REx-PN is available year-round in some locations, and on specific dates in others. If you would like to write your exam at a temporary testing location, be sure to time the submission of your application to ensure that your ATT period will overlap with the dates of the chosen test centre below.

2024 exam locations and dates

Location	Available dates
Vancouver	Year-round
Burnaby	Year-round
Surrey	Year-round
Victoria	Year-round
Kelowna	Feb. 6-15, 2024
Kamloops	June 18-27, 2024
Nanaimo	June 11-17, 2024
Prince George	July 16-24, 2024

Preparing for the REx-PN

The following materials are available to help you prepare for the REx-PN. If the information you are looking for isn't included in the materials below, check the REx-PN frequently-asked questions page, or the NCSBN REx-PN FAQs:

Test plan

The REx-PN test plan provides an overview of what information will be tested, the type of questions you will be asked to answer, and some sample questions. It is designed to help you prepare for the exam, and is the same guide used by the individuals who write and review exam questions. The Test Plan gives you details about the eight content areas covered on the exam, which are based on client needs, as follows:

Management of care
Safety and infection control
Health promotion and maintenance
Psychosocial integrity
Basic care and comfort
Pharmacological and parenteral therapies
Reduction of risk potential
Physiological adaptation

REx-PN Candidate Tutorial

The REx-PN Candidate Tutorial will provide you with instructions on how to answer the different REx-PN item types that you will see during the REx-PN examination. You will be given practice items to familiarize yourself with each item type.

REx-PN Exam Preview

Candidates can review the free exam preview, which can be downloaded in English and French. The preview allows you to review exam items similar to the REx-PN items you’ll see on test day. The preview is a static exam that is not scored nor a predictor of whether you will pass or fail your actual REx-PN. The 125 items included in this preview will not appear on the current or future exams.

REx-PN Candidate Bulletin

The REx-PN Candidate Bulletin is a start-to-finish REx-PN guide, including important contact information, how to register with Pearson Vue, and exam rules. Reminder: You will receive an email from BCCNM with instructions on how to register once you are eligible to write the exam.

Information about computerized-adaptive testing (CAT)

Watch this video for more information

REx-PN Using CAT from NCSBN on Vimeo.

Third-party prep materials

Your nursing education and resources like the test plan and practice exam will help you prepare for the REx-PN. We are aware of some third-party prep courses being developed. While it is your choice to determine if you will find these prep courses or materials useful, here is what you need to know:

BCCNM does not review third-party prep courses and cannot endorse them.
No third party has access to the REx-PN question bank. Be wary of any party claiming to have access.
If you choose to use third-party prep materials, seek out credible sources.

Exam results

If you pass: We will notify you of your exam results and any other requirements for registration. If you have met all requirements and have provisional registration, your provisional registration will automatically be converted to practising registered nurse registration.

If you do not have provisional registration, you'll be emailed information about how to complete your registration.
If you fail: You'll be emailed an initial notification of only your exam result. Within two weeks, you'll be emailed your candidate report. You must wait a minimum of 45 days before registering to retake the exam.

If you have provisional registration: You can continue practising as a provisional registrant if you fail the exam on your first attempt. If you fail the exam a second time, your provisional registration will expire six to eight weeks after notification of your second failure. Learn more.

There is no limit to the number of times you can write the REx-PN, as long as you have a valid BCCNM application. If your application expires, your file will be closed. If you wish to reapply for registration, you'll need to submit a new application and new supporting documents and your application will be reassessed. To update your application before the expiry date, please contact BCCNM Registration at register@bccnm.ca.