The NCLEX is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) which provides education, service, and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection. NCSBN is a not-for-profit organization whose members include the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories. NCSBN is dedicated to developing psychometrically sound and legally defensible nurse licensure and certification examinations consistent with current practice.