How to register for the NCLEX: ATT, fees, test dates, scheduling, and rescheduling

To register for the NCLEX, you must complete a nursing program (or have graduated by your chosen testing period) and apply for licensure with your state board. Then, you are required to sign up through Pearson VUE, the testing company that administers the NCLEX. If approved by your nursing regulatory body (NRB), Pearson will email you an Authorization to Test (ATT) confirming that you may sit for the exam, allowing you to register within a specified testing window.

The NCLEX costs $200 to take in the U.S. and is available year-round, though there are specific rules regarding when you can schedule and reschedule your exam. The NCLEX must be taken at a testing center, though the NCSBN is also developing an online version, NCLEX Online, to be taken at home. However, the official launch date for remote testing has not been announced.

What is the NCLEX-RN? Nursing certification broken down

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-adaptive licensing test for nursing graduates from bachelor’s, associate’s, or certificate programs. To work as an RN in the U.S. and Canada, passing the NCLEX is required, and some Australian assessment pathways for internationally qualified nurses also use it.

The NCLEX is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), an organization that brings together nursing boards from around the world to standardize requirements and maintain high standards for the profession. The NCSBN also administers the NCLEX-PN, which is used to certify licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

The NCLEX is available at testing centers in every state and at approved sites in several countries worldwide. The exam can be taken in either English or French to accommodate those in French-speaking Canadian provinces and countries. To be fully prepared, candidates should know the registration steps, what to expect on test day, and how to make their experience at the testing site as smooth as possible.

How much does it cost to take the NCLEX?

The NCLEX registration cost for nursing graduates in the U.S. is $200. In addition, candidates must pay a registration fee and the costs of a background check to their state’s licensure board. International nurses testing abroad for U.S., Canadian, or Australian licensure also need to pay an additional $150 charge, and other fees apply depending on whether a candidate needs to make updates to their nursing license application:

Preparing for the exam effectively increases your odds of passing on the first try and avoiding a repeat exam fee.

How do you register for the NCLEX-RN?

The process of registering for the NCLEX involves several steps, so keep them in mind and prepare accordingly. To sit for the NCLEX, nursing candidates must:

1. Have completed a state-approved nursing education program. This may include a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a hospital-based diploma program.
2. Apply for licensure or registration with the nursing regulatory body (NRB) in the state or jurisdiction where they intend to practice. Depending on the location, this may be the state board of nursing, an office within the state education department, or another designated regulatory authority.
3. Provide the NRB with the required materials (typically a completed application, transcripts, and fingerprints for a criminal background check), and pay necessary fees. NRB requirements vary based on state, territory, and province.
4. Register with Pearson, the organization that distributes the exam. This can be done either online or over the phone.
5. Enter your information, such as personal details and the name of the nursing program from which you graduated. You can either search for your program or, if you have the code, use it to find your school.
6. Pay the $200 registration fee.
7. Receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email, which confirms your eligibility to test.
8. Schedule an appointment to take the NCLEX at a local testing center.

Avoid waiting too long to schedule your testing appointment after receiving your ATT, as spots can fill up quickly. Currently, the NCLEX must be taken at designated testing centers for security reasons.

When you arrive at the test center, you must have your ATT email ready for your appointment. How long it takes to receive your ATT depends on your NRB and processing times. If you’re wondering whether you need a printed copy, a digital copy is fine as long as the email and any necessary documentation are easily accessible on your phone.

ATTs are issued by email once the state NRB declares a candidate eligible to test and registration with Pearson is complete. Remember, you must register with Pearson before you select your test date. Because each ATT is only valid for a period specified by the NRB, usually 90 days, candidates must test within that window. If you’re unsure what your state or territory governing body requires for licensing or related fees, contact their office directly.

How to sign up for accommodations

Testing accommodations for the NCLEX are requested directly through Pearson VUE. Reasonable accommodations for those with learning differences or physical disabilities may include:

• Extra testing time
• Separate testing rooms
• Additional breaks
• Comfort aids

Each testing center may offer different accommodations, so it’s important to contact your local testing site and ask about available support ahead of time. You may also need to provide proof of disability and other information so Pearson can best meet your accommodation needs.

While you’ll need to register for your test within the timeframe set by your ATT, try to sign up for your testing date as far in advance as possible so your accommodation request can be processed properly.

Where can I find my NCLEX testing site?

The NCSBN provides an online “Locate a Test Center” tool on its website through Pearson. The NCLEX is offered at domestic Pearson Professional Centers across U.S. states and territories, as well as at approved international test centers in Canada, Australia, the UK, China, India, and select other countries.

Can you take the NCLEX in any state?

Yes, you can take the NCLEX in any state, territory, or even abroad; you do not need to take it in the state where you plan to earn your license. Your results will be automatically reported to the state NRB with which you initially registered. However, if you change the NRB you plan to license with, you’ll need to pay an additional fee to re-register for the test.

When should I register for the NCLEX?

Ideally, you should take your NCLEX as soon after graduating from a nursing program as possible. That way, your clinical and medical knowledge is still fresh, and you can begin working in the field sooner. Many candidates register in the last month or so of their nursing program so they can test soon after graduation, since NRB approval can take a few weeks.

NCLEX exam dates

Once you’re able to schedule your NCLEX-RN exam, you can choose from a variety of test dates within the period allowed by your Authorization to Test. The NCLEX-RN is available year-round, giving candidates flexibility in their timeline.

Can I reschedule my NCLEX exam?

Yes, NCLEX exams can be rescheduled up to 24 hours before the test time. If you reschedule during your ATT period, there is usually no fee. Failing to reschedule within that window will result in forfeiture of your exam and, if applicable, your scheduling fee, and the ATT will be automatically invalidated.

What should I bring to the NCLEX exam?

On the test day, candidates are advised to:

1. Wear comfortable clothing
2. Arrive early, at least 30 minutes before the testing time
3. Bring a government-issued, physical ID that includes a recent photograph and signature
4. Have your ATT ready

At the test center, candidates will need to provide biometrics and complete security scanning protocols. Personal devices will be taken and placed in plastic bags outside the testing room. An on-screen calculator, erasable board, and marker will be provided.

What not to bring

Test-takers may not be admitted, or may have their scores voided, if they bring:

• Notes (outside of authorized spaces like lobbies)
• Personal devices (after they have been formally collected)
• Illegal items

Remember that a calculator is not needed since one will be provided, and any study aids are strictly prohibited.

NCLEX dress code and related rules

While there is no strict dress code, keep items such as hats, gloves, scarves, and other accessories outside of the testing room. You’ll likely be asked to place them in a locker or other secure area. Religious exceptions for headwear and other items apply.

Preparing for the NCLEX-RN

To pass the NCLEX, you must be able to apply practical nursing skills and medical knowledge to real-life situations. The exam is challenging because it not only tests specific procedures but also requires you to determine which procedures are suitable for a particular scenario and to understand the reasoning behind them. The NCLEX-RN test plan and content coverage, summarized below, provide information on what to expect on the test:

Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, Physiological Integrity

The NCLEX-RN requires complex diagnostic and clinical judgment, preparing registered nurses for careers working alongside doctors and other medical professionals to administer care and develop treatment plans.

After you’ve reviewed what’s on the test, create a study plan that addresses the most important topics and actively prepares you for the exam:

1. Take full-length exams to prepare yourself for the full testing experience.
2. Use realistic practice questions that mimic the actual format of NCLEX questions.
3. Practice applying nursing knowledge and medical facts to clinical settings to prepare for Case Study questions.

During your exam, remember to read each question in full, pace yourself, and stay calm. You studied and worked hard for your license; now it’s time to prove that you have what it takes to practice.

Can I take the NCLEX online?

As of right now, there is no set date for the online, at-home NCLEX. Remote testing that adheres to the same security and scoring standards as the test-center version is being developed but has not yet rolled out. Students looking for updates are encouraged to join NCSBN’s mailing list.

When will I receive my NCLEX results?

The NCLEX website states that official results are sent to candidates within about six weeks after their exam, via their jurisdiction’s nursing regulatory body (NRB). In the U.S., candidates can obtain unofficial results for $7.95 through Pearson’s NCLEX Quick Results Service, typically within two business days after testing. These preliminary reports, however, are not sufficient to certify someone as a nurse.

What is the NCLEX retake policy?

The NCLEX can be taken up to eight times in a single year, with a 45-day waiting period between attempts. While there is no official NCLEX “lifetime limit,” individual state nursing boards may set a maximum number of attempts before a person is unable to register as a nurse in that jurisdiction.

Once a candidate takes their exam, their registration is officially closed, and they cannot retake the exam on the same ATT. A candidate will need to re-register as they would if their ATT had expired before they signed up for a test.

Final thoughts

The NCLEX-RN registration process involves many steps and coordination with several bodies, from your state’s NRB to Pearson to the NCLEX-administering organization. While the process may seem lengthy and detailed, it’s designed to let candidates enter the field soon after passing their exams. With your nursing program complete, background check approved, and NCLEX-RN passed, you’ll be ready to secure full licensure and begin your career as a registered nurse.