The Ohio Board of Nursing recently announced that starting January 2014, the NCLEX program will transition to a paperless program. The Nursing Board’s website located at http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/index.htm provides further information regarding the transition to a paperless program. Highlights from the Nursing Board’s website announcement include:

NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin: The NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin will no longer be distributed in a hard copy version. Boards of nursing, candidates and education programs will access the Candidate Bulletin via the NCSBN website.

Eights Steps of the NCLEX: This Candidate Bulletin insert will no longer be distributed in a hard copy version. This abbreviated reference guide to NCLEX processes will be enhanced to include additional information and will also be available on the NCSBN website. The name of this document will be changed to the NCLEX Information flyer.

Candidate Bulletin At-A-Glance: Due to the enhancements of the Eight Steps of the NCLEX, as well as the continued accessibility of the Candidate Bulletin, the At-A-Glance piece will no longer be published as either an electronic or hard copy version.

Money Order, Certified Check and Cashier Check Payments: Money order, certified check and cashier check payments will no longer be accepted. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, all candidates and third parties will be required to register and pay for exam registrations through the Pearson VUE website or over the phone (866.496.2539) with a credit card, debit card or prepaid card.

Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter: Once the board of nursing makes a candidate eligible, that candidate will receive their ATT by email. The ATT continues to serve as the candidate’s notice that they may schedule their NCLEX at a Pearson Professional Center. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, the paper copy of the ATT letter will no longer be necessary for test admittance. To gain access to the NCLEX, candidates must present one form of acceptable identification that matches the name exactly as the candidate provided when registering. If the candidate’s ID does not match the name exactly as they registered with, the candidate will not be admitted to test and will have to reregister and pay another examination fee.

“You’ve Completed the NCLEX Examination but Still Have Questions” Brochure: This brochure is currently given to candidate’s at the test center on the day of their exam. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, this information will be sent to a candidates email address shortly after they have completed their exam and will also be available on the NCSBN website.

For additional information see http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/index.htm

As always, if you have any questions about the Ohio Board of Nursing or this post, please feel free to call one of the attorneys at Collis, Smiles and Collis at 614-486-3909 or check out our website at http://www.collislaw.com.