Candidate Resources
Everything you need to prepare for, schedule, and succeed on the Professional Validated Nurse Examination.
Eligibility & Application
Requirements, transcript submission, audit process, and account setup
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must meet all of the following:
- Graduate of a BSN or Master's Entry Program in the United States
- Successfully completed the NCLEX
- Currently hold an active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States
Graduates are encouraged to pursue certification within their first years of practice. Recertification is required every 3 years.
Visit pnvc.com and click the application link to create your account and begin.
Provide your license number, state of issuance, and expiration date.
Transcripts must be certified and original. In rare cases where only a paper transcript is available, mail it to PNVC's business address:
825 S Waukegan Rd, A8
PO Box 132
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Once materials are submitted, you may schedule your exam and pay — unless your application is selected for a random audit (see below).
The name you use when creating your account must exactly match the photo ID you present to the proctor. A name mismatch will prevent your exam from being administered.
Submissions are automatically approved unless selected for a random audit. An audit may delay approval by approximately one week, during which PNVC reviewers verify the accuracy and suitability of your application.
All personal information is held in strict confidence during registration, examination, and all pre-certification phases, with the following limited exceptions:
- If your application is selected for audit, PNVC may verify submitted information with external organizations.
- If a third party (such as an employer) paid your exam fee, PNVC may share registration status, scheduling, and results with them.
- Testing session recordings and related data may be retained for security review, quality assurance, and appeals processing.
Reasonable testing accommodations are available for candidates with a documented impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
How to Apply
Candidates requesting testing accommodations should submit a request through the accommodations link provided on the PNVC website or candidate portal. Requests should be submitted as early as possible and must be approved prior to scheduling the examination.
Approved accommodations will be communicated to the testing provider before exam day.
For accommodation questions, email Support+accomodations@pnvc.com.
Fees & Scheduling
Exam fees, study guide pricing, refund rules, and rescheduling policy
The study guide is available in the store section of your PNVC portal. Check with your health system or institution — some are PNVC partners and may offer a voucher.
60+ days before the exam — Full refund of the exam fee ($385). The study guide is non-refundable.
6–59 days before the exam — 50% refund of the exam fee.
5 or fewer days before the exam — No refund.
- PNVC requires at least 5 days advance notice to reschedule.
- You may reschedule an unlimited number of times, subject to the 5-day notice requirement.
- Failure to reschedule in time results in a no-show status — treated as a cancellation with no refund.
- After a no-show, candidates must reapply and pay the full exam fee to test again.
Prepare for the Exam
Study resources, system requirements, and your exam-day checklist
The study guide is a highly recommended resource for preparation and includes content review materials and practice questions aligned to the PVN blueprint.
- Purchase it separately for $65 via the store link in your PNVC portal.
- Or bundle the study guide with the exam for $450 total at registration.
For questions about the study guide, email Support+general@pnvc.com.
The full PVN Examination Candidate Handbook is available as a PDF download. It contains detailed information on eligibility, policies, exam structure, appeals, and more.
📄 Download Candidate Handbook (PDF)
For questions about the handbook, contact Support+general@pnvc.com.
- Review the Candidate Handbook
- Purchase and begin the Study Guide
- Confirm your registered name matches your government-issued photo ID
- Download and install the Guardian Browser using the link provided in your candidate testing portal after scheduling your exam
- Complete the required system check and Guardian Browser compatibility test before exam day (link provided in your testing portal)
- Verify your computer meets minimum hardware requirements (see below)
- Identify a quiet, private room with stable internet for test day
- Review the list of prohibited behaviors during the exam
- Confirm your test date and add it to your calendar
General Requirements
- A working webcam and microphone (built-in or external)
- Stable internet connection
- A single monitor connected to one computer (secondary monitors are not permitted)
- Virtual machines are not permitted and will be detected during the pre-exam system check
- The Guardian Browser must be downloaded and installed before exam day using the link provided in your candidate testing portal
Exam Day Information
ProctorU setup, ID requirements, room rules, and conduct policy
The PVN Examination uses Meazure Learning's ProctorU Platform, paired with the Guardian Browser. The Guardian Browser must be downloaded and installed before your exam day using the link provided in your candidate testing portal after your exam is scheduled.
You must present a valid original photo ID to your proctor. The name on your ID must exactly match the name in your online registration.
Acceptable Forms of ID
- Driver's license
- State ID card
- Passport
- Other official government-issued document with photo
- Log in at least 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.
- If you are more than 30 minutes late, you will not be allowed to test.
- If you are less than 30 minutes late, you may still be allowed to proceed — but your exam timer starts at your scheduled time with no additional time granted.
- Test in a private, quiet room free from distractions.
- No other people may be present in your testing area.
- Use only one monitor connected to one computer. Secondary monitors are not permitted.
- Ensure your face (chin to forehead) remains in camera view at all times.
- Virtual machines (software environments that simulate a separate computer or operating system within your device) are not permitted during testing and will be detected at check-in.
Talking or whispering is not permitted (unless you have an approved accommodation).
Your eyes must remain on the screen at all times.
Taking pictures or screenshots of any exam content is strictly prohibited.
No notes, books, or materials unless you have an approved accommodation.
No one else may be in the room or speak to you during the exam.
Secondary monitors and virtual machines are not allowed.
What Happens if Rules Are Violated
- The proctor will issue a warning for suspicious behavior.
- Continued behavior may require additional camera pans and involve an Intervention Specialist.
- Persistent violations will result in the exam being shut down and PNVC being notified.
- Confirmed content theft attempts result in immediate exam termination.
Your proctor will assist with any technical issues that arise during your exam. For questions before your exam day, visit the ProctorU Equipment Requirements page or contact Support+general@pnvc.com.
Results & Retakes
Score timing, credential issuance, retake policy, and appeals
This section is currently being updated with the most current information about score reporting, credential issuance timelines, retake procedures, and the appeals process.
For questions in the meantime, please contact the appropriate support team:
- For results questions: Support+results@pnvc.com
- For non-ADA appeals: Support+appeals@pnvc.com
- For ADA-related accommodation appeals: Support+accomodations@pnvc.com
Support
All PNVC support contacts — find the right email for your question
Most technical questions about setting up your computer for the exam are answered by Meazure Learning / ProctorU's support resources:
- Equipment Requirements — Minimum hardware and software specs
- How to Get Started with ProctorU — Account setup and Guardian Browser install
- What to Expect on Exam Day — Full video walkthrough
- Allowed & Prohibited Behaviors During the Exam