How To Register For NCLEX (RN & PN): Process & Cost
To register for NCLEX, apply for licensure by examination with your state Board of Nursing. Then register and pay $200 through Pearson VUE. After receiving your Authorization to Test (ATT), schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE test center.
The NCLEX registration process can seem confusing at first, but it’s quite simple.
There are two organizations. Multiple fees. Deadlines. An email called an ATT that everyone talks about, but no one explains clearly.
So let me break this down in easy steps, and by the way, this applies to both NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN.
Step 1: Apply to Your State Board of Nursing (NRB)
Before you even think about scheduling the NCLEX, you must apply for licensure by examination through your state’s Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB), which is also called your Board of Nursing.
This is not optional, and your state board decides whether you’re eligible to take the exam.
You’ll submit:
- Application for licensure by examination
- Application fee (varies by state)
- Official nursing transcripts
- Graduation verification
- Government-issued ID
- Criminal background check + fingerprinting
Most states require fingerprinting. Yes, it feels intense. No, you can’t skip it.
The board reviews:
- Your nursing education
- Your character history
- Any criminal disclosures
If you meet all requirements, they declare you eligible to test.
So, unless you clear this stage, nothing moves forward, and you must get this approval.
Step 2: Register With Pearson VUE
Applying to your Board of Nursing does not register you for the exam.
You must also separately register for the NCLEX through Pearson VUE, which is the official testing vendor for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
You will need to:
- Create a Pearson VUE account
- Select NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN
- Enter your nursing program code (your school provides this)
- Pay the $200 exam fee (U.S. candidates)
After you finish all these steps, you’ll receive an email confirmation within about 2 business days.
Please don’t lose the login information, as you’ll need it repeatedly.
Step 3: Wait for Your Authorization to Test (ATT)
This is the email everyone talks about on Reddit and other forums.
After your state board approves your application and you’ve registered and paid Pearson, the board notifies NCSBN/Pearson that you’re eligible.
Then you receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) via email.
It will include your:
- Your candidate number
- Valid testing window (often ~90 days)
- Instructions for scheduling
Your ATT also has an expiration date. If you don’t test within that window, you’ll have to re-register and re-pay the exam fee.
Step 4: Schedule and Take the Exam
Once you get your ATT, schedule your date immediately.
Log in to Pearson VUE and choose:
- Test center location
- Date
- Time
Testing centers operate year-round, typically 5–6 days per week.
After scheduling, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
On exam day, bring your ATT and two approved forms of ID.
If you no-show or cancel late (less than 24 hours), you lose your $200 exam fee. No refunds.
After testing, your official results come from your Board of Nursing, usually within a few weeks.
NCLEX-RN vs NCLEX-PN: Is the Process Different?
No, the registration process is identical and same for both exams.
The only difference is that NCLEX-RN is for Registered Nurse licensure and NCLEX-PN is for Practical/Vocational Nurse licensure.
Everything else, from eligibility, ATT, and scheduling, works the same way.
NCLEX Eligibility Requirements
You must meet your state’s licensure-by-exam criteria before you are permitted to test.
Education Requirements
You must graduate from an approved nursing program.
- NCLEX-RN: BSN, ADN, or diploma RN program
- NCLEX-PN: Approved Practical/Vocational Nursing program
Required Documentation
Your Board of Nursing will require:
- Official transcripts sent directly from your school
- Graduation verification
- Completed application
- Required fees
Criminal Background Check
Most states require fingerprinting and state + federal background checks.
A prior conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but failure to disclose one can.
International Graduates
If educated outside the U.S., you may need:
- Credential evaluation (often via CGFNS International)
- English proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS depending on state)
NCLEX Fees and Total Costs
| Cost Category | Details | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| NCLEX Exam Fee (U.S.) | Paid to Pearson VUE | $200 USD |
| NCLEX Exam Fee (Canada) | Paid to Pearson VUE | 360 CAD |
| NCLEX Exam Fee (Australia) | Paid to Pearson VUE | $200 USD |
| International Scheduling Fee | Required if testing outside U.S. (Non-refundable) | + $150 USD |
| State Board Application Fee | Varies by state (~$40–$375) | $40 – $375 |
| Background Check / Fingerprinting | May be separate or bundled | $50 – $100 |
| Exam Change Fee | Jurisdiction or exam type change | $50 |
| Late Cancellation | Fee forfeited | Lose $200 |
| Realistic Total (First-Time Test Taker) | Exam + Board + Background Check | $250 – $400+ |
Can You Retake the NCLEX If You Don’t Pass?
Yes, you can retake the exam, and thousands of candidates retake the NCLEX every year.
According to NCSBN statistics, first-time pass rates for U.S.-educated RN candidates often range around 80–90%, meaning not everyone passes the first time.
NCLEX Pass Rates (First-Time vs Repeat) – Last 5 Years
| Year | Exam Type | First-Time Pass Rate | Repeat Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | NCLEX-RN (U.S.) | 86.6% | ~43% |
| 2021 | NCLEX-RN (U.S.) | 82–84% | ~45% |
| 2022 | NCLEX-RN (U.S.) | 79.9% | 43.7% |
| 2023 | NCLEX-RN (U.S., NGN Launch) | 88.6% | ~51% |
| 2024 | NCLEX-RN (U.S.) | ~91% | ~52% |
| 2020 | NCLEX-PN (U.S.) | 83.1% | ~35% |
| 2021 | NCLEX-PN (U.S.) | 79.6% | ~35% |
| 2022 | NCLEX-PN (U.S.) | 79.9% | 35.7% |
| 2023 | NCLEX-PN (U.S., NGN Launch) | 86.7% | 42.8% |
| 2024 | NCLEX-PN (U.S.) | ~79–87% | ~41–43% |
If you don’t pass, you must wait 45 days before retesting and attempt up to 8 times per 12 months (NCSBN policy)
Some states have stricter limits (e.g., lifetime attempt caps).
To retake:
- Notify your board
- Re-register
- Pay another $200
- Receive a new ATT
You’ll also receive a Candidate Performance Report to guide your study.
NCLEX Scheduling
The NCLEX registration process isn’t hard, but it’s detailed. So, that’s why sometimes it might look a bit cumbersome.
This exam determines your nursing license. So, make it count and good luck to you.
