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Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse

REx-PN 2026: syllabus and exam pattern

The REx-PN is the entry-to-practice exam for practical nurses in Ontario (Registered Practical Nurses, since 4 January 2022) and British Columbia. Developed by NCSBN, it is computer adaptive with 90–150 questions, 30 of them unscored pretest items, in 4 hours, and can be written in English or French. Content follows the REx-PN Test Plan’s client needs categories and tests entry-level knowledge, skills and judgment.

Start practising Exam pattern

REx-PN exam pattern

Questions
90–150 (30 unscored, 60–120 scored)
Time
4 hours
Format
Computer adaptive; no skipping or going back
Languages
English or French
Scoring
From January 2026, partial credit only on select-all-that-apply
Retake
Unlimited attempts; 60 days apart (Ontario)

How to prepare for REx-PN

  1. Know the pattern

    How many questions, how long, and how marking works.

    You getStages, timing and marking at a glance

    Open
  2. Work subject by subject

    Short sets with an explanation after every answer.

    You get1 subject set

    Open
  3. Try a mini mock

    A shorter timed test.

    ComingA first timed score

  4. Sit a full mock

    A full-length timed test.

    ComingYour exam-pattern score

REx-PN syllabus

The areas NCSBN for CNO (Ontario) and BCCNM (British Columbia) lists for this exam. Topics change between notices, so always check the latest official one.

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

Category weights are set in the official REx-PN Test Plan; we list them once confirmed against that document.

Ontario applicants also write CNO’s Jurisprudence Exam on Ontario law and standards.

REx-PN practice

Free, with an explanation for every answer. No sign-in needed to start.

Question types on the REx-PN

  • Multiple choice
  • Multiple response
  • Fill-in-the-blank calculation
  • Exhibit
  • Graphics

Where the REx-PN gets you a licence

Questions

REx-PN: common questions

Short answers. The official notice is always the final word.

REx-PN: common questions

How many questions are on the REx-PN?

Between 90 and 150. Thirty are unscored pretest questions, so 60–120 count towards your result. You have 4 hours.

Which provinces use the REx-PN?

Ontario (College of Nurses of Ontario) and British Columbia (BCCNM). Other provinces use their own practical nurse exam.

References

  1. [1]College of Nurses of Ontario. REx-PN Fact Sheet 1: General Informationgov
  2. [2]NCSBN. REx-PN Test Plan webinar (2025)standard
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