The August 2026 NPLEX application period will be open April 1 - May 1, 2026
Download the Examinee Handbook!
The Examinee Handbook has the most up-to-date schedules, policies, and examination procedures. The handbook is updated for the current NPLEX administration.
PROMETRIC TEST SITES
Beginning in July/August 2026, the NPLEX will be administered in person at Prometric testing centers in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. With hundreds of locations, it will be easier than ever to find a site near you. NABNE will not be offering online examinations or virtual proctoring.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR EXAM DAY
Plan ahead for your exam day by learning what to expect at a Prometric Test Center. Access the information you need to know via the following links:
Prometric Test Center Policies
- If you need a comfort measure that is not already on the Pre-Approved Items list, you can complete the NABNE Comfort Measures Request Form, which can be obtained by emailing testingaccommodations@nabne.org. Your completed request form must be submitted to NABNE no later than the current application deadline. While NABNE aims to grant request for comfort measures to applicants who request them, approval is not guaranteed.
- Nursing/breastfeeding applicants may request to bring and use their breast-pumping equipment during the standard break for the NPLEX Part I – Biomedical Science Examination only. Requests are required because NABNE needs to let Prometric know in advance to ensure they have the appropriate space available. For this request to be granted, a letter from your treating professional must be submitted directly to NABNE, no later than the current application deadline. You can obtain the Lactation Space Request Form by emailing testingaccommodations@nabne.org.
NABNE IRREGULAR BEHAVIOR AND EXAMINATION SECURITY POLICY
NABNE and Prometric are committed to maintaining a secure and fair testing environment. All examinees are required to follow test center rules and all instructions provided by staff.
Irregular behavior includes any action that may compromise the security of the examination, the confidentiality of examination content, or the fairness of the testing process. Irregular behavior may occur before, during, or after the examination.
Download the full Irregular Behavior and Examination Security Policy here.
NABNE OBLIGATION TO ADMINISTER EXAMINATIONS
Administration by Prometric and Events Beyond NABNE’s Control
Examinations may be delivered at testing centers operated by Prometric or its affiliates. Prometric is an independent contractor and is not an agent of NABNE. Testing disruptions, technical issues, delays, interruptions, cancellations, or other administrative events may occur.
NABNE is not responsible for delays, interruptions, or cancellations caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to technical failures, weather events, public health conditions, or testing center closures. If an examination cannot be administered as scheduled because of such circumstances, NABNE may reschedule the examination or provide another remedy in accordance with its policies.
NPLEX EXAMINATION FORMATS
The Part I – Biomedical Science Examination (BSE) will be administered in two (2) sections on the same day. You will be allowed 2½ hours (150 minutes) to complete each 100-question section. There will be a 1-hour break between sections of the examination.
The Part II – Core Clinical Science Examination (CCSE) will be administered in three (3) sections over a series of three (3) days (one section each day). You will be allowed 3½ hours (210 minutes) to complete the 135 questions in each section. Sections 1 and 2 have 135 questions and Section 3 has 130 questions.
The NPLEX Part II – Clinical Elective Examinations (EEs) in Acupuncture (AEE), Elective Pharmacology (EPE), Minor Surgery (MSEE), and Parenteral Medicine (PMEE) are administered on separate days. You will be allowed 1½ hours (90 minutes) to complete the 75 questions in each Part II – Clinical Elective Examination.
AFTER THE EXAMINATIONS
After the examinations have been administered, NPLEX follows an extensive post-test process to ensure that the items on which the examinee’s results are based are fair, valid, and reliable, and that cut scores have been set to appropriately discriminate between the examinees who have met the criteria and those who have not. The post-test analysis (PTA) process involves the NPLEX staff psychometrician, psychometric consultants, ND staff, biomedical and clinical exam chairs, the NPLEX Board, and other ND volunteers.
Due to this comprehensive effort, it takes several weeks to complete the Scoring Process.