We, the undersigned nurses, healthcare professionals, educators, and supporters, respectfully request that the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), Pearson VUE, and relevant U.S. authorities review the current restrictions that prevent qualified nurses residing in Iran from taking the NCLEX.

The NCLEX is a professional licensing examination designed to determine whether a candidate possesses the knowledge and skills necessary for safe and effective nursing practice. It is not a political activity.

Many Iranian nurses have completed accredited nursing education, obtained years of professional nursing experience, and spent months or years preparing for the NCLEX. For many of them, passing the NCLEX represents the opportunity to continue their professional education, obtain nursing licensure, and build a future based on their professional qualifications.

However, nurses who reside in Iran currently face restrictions that prevent them from accessing the NCLEX.

This creates a barrier that is unrelated to an individual's nursing education, clinical competence, or ability to provide safe patient care.

We fully recognize and respect U.S. sanctions and all applicable laws. We are not asking any organization or individual to violate, circumvent, or disregard those laws.

Instead, we respectfully ask NCSBN, Pearson VUE, and relevant U.S. authorities to explore whether a lawful mechanism could be established that would allow qualified Iranian nurses to take the NCLEX through an authorized international testing center or another compliant testing arrangement.

Appropriate identity verification, examination-security procedures, and other safeguards could remain fully in place.

Nurses should have the opportunity to demonstrate their professional competence through a standardized licensing examination whenever such access can be provided lawfully.

This issue is particularly important because nurses are healthcare professionals whose work directly contributes to patient safety and public health. Many Iranian nurses continue to care for patients despite difficult working conditions and significant personal and professional challenges.

We therefore respectfully request:

That NCSBN and Pearson VUE review the current restrictions affecting NCLEX candidates residing in Iran.
That a lawful pathway be considered for qualified Iranian nurses to take the NCLEX at an authorized international testing center.
That relevant U.S. authorities clarify whether an appropriate authorization, exemption, or other lawful compliance mechanism could permit such testing.
That professional licensing examinations be distinguished, where legally possible, from broader economic and political restrictions.
That qualified Iranian nurses be given a fair opportunity to demonstrate their professional competence through the NCLEX.

We believe that examination security, U.S. legal requirements, and patient-safety standards can all be protected while providing a lawful pathway for qualified Iranian nurses to pursue professional licensure.

We respectfully ask you to review this issue and consider a practical, lawful, and humanitarian solution.

Professional competence should have a chance to speak for itself.

Thank you for your consideration