NCLEX-RN – National Council Licensure Exam (Nursing)
Nursing vs 3 alternatives compared
Exam fee, level, duration, validity and salary side by side. Blank cells mean we do not have verified data yet.
| NCLEX-RN – National Council Licensure Exam (Nursing) | USMLE Step 1 – US Medical Licensing Exam | PANCE – Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam | RDMS – Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | NCSBN | USMLE / NBME | NCCPA | ARDMS |
| Level | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Intermediate |
| Exam fee | $200 | $645 | $475 | $250–$300 per exam |
| Duration | — | one day (8‑hour testing session) | — | — |
| Passing score | — | — | — | — |
| Valid for | — | — | — | — |
| Typical salary | $70K–$120K | $200K–$350K (post-residency) | $110K–$150K | $65K–$95K |
| Prerequisites | — | — | — | — |
Which should you choose?
Should I take Nursing or USMLE Step 1 – US Medical Licensing Exam first?
Both are rated Advanced. Pick the one whose exam domains match the job you want, and check which one employers in your area ask for.
Should I take Nursing or PANCE – Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam first?
Both are rated Advanced. Pick the one whose exam domains match the job you want, and check which one employers in your area ask for.
Should I take Nursing or RDMS – Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer first?
RDMS – Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is the lower-level certification (Intermediate vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.