The first step to becoming a Nurse Practitioner in the United States is by earning a degree as a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse. Nurse Practitioners are Nurses with previous experience as that are licensed to carry out additional practices. As a result, they are of great value to the healthcare system. It is a requirement that Nurse Practitioners already have gained nursing experience before they advance their career. 
  
The next step for aspiring Nurse Practitioners is to enroll in a graduate program in Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Following the completion of the advanced studies, a Nurse Practitioner needs to earn their Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure with the NCLEX exam, which is developed by The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Some states may require additional requirements in order to be licensed, however in others once the NCLEX is passed they can earn the title of a Nurse Practitioner. 
  
The licenses and laws surrounding Nurse Practitioners is specific to each state, so it is important to make sure that you reach all the necessary requirements in the location where you wish to practice. Licenses must be renewed on a regular basis and Nurse Practitioner are required to continue their education in order to provide the best care possible.
 
Information about the NCLEX exam  

• In order to be eligible to write the NCLEX exam to become a Nurse Practitioner, you need to apply with the Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB) in the region where you wish to practice. This can be done online or by phone
• The NCLEX exam consists of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank and drag-and-drop questions
• The exam has a minimum of 75 different questions and a maximum of 265
• The time allowed for the NCLEX ranges from five to six hours depending on if the applicant is a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse 
• Some topics that are covered in the exam can include basic care and comfort, psychosocial integrity, management of care, health promotion and maintenance, safety and infection control, and reduction of risk potential
• The passing rate for the first time NCLEX by U.S.-educated students was 87%, whereas foreign-educated was 49%.   
• Those who do not pass will receive a break down of their results per category in order to help them determine which areas they need to focus more on
• Candidates can take the test up to eight times a year with a 45 day break in between the tests