Visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website (see Resources) to review the offered exam development opportunities. This information is accessible on the NCLEX candidates' page (see Resources), which contains links to exam development opportunities, frequently asked questions and test plans. Volunteer question writing applications are available and submitted only through the website.
Read the Item Development Program Brochure. The brochure lists the expected qualifications of and requirements for exam question writers. Qualifications include being an NCLEX-licensed nurse with at least two years of work experience; being a teacher of undergraduate or graduate nursing students; and, if for the NCLEX-RN exam, having at least a master's degree. Ensure that you are able to fulfill all requirements as stated in the brochure prior to applying.
Review the NCLEX exam's Frequently Asked Questions section. These questions are accessible through the NCLEX candidates page under the "Item Writer" section. The answers provided to these questions will give you a more thorough understanding of the question writer volunteer application process and what is required of volunteers. Next, review the test plans for the exam for which you are interested in writing questions. The exam development opportunities page and the NCLEX candidates page contain links to these plans. These plans govern the topics that will be tested on the exam; ensure that you are familiar with them prior to applying.
Complete the NCLEX online application. The application is accessible through the exam development opportunities page. You will need to provide information about your licensure and teaching experience as well as your contact information. The application is then submitted online. Acceptance of your application will be sent via email. An application is active for two years after submission, so you don't need to resubmit an application yearly. After acceptance of your application you will then need to be selected for a panel to actually write the test questions. You will be contacted if you are selected by the question writing panel.