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How much does the NCLEX cost?

The NCLEX costs US$200 (United States, Australia) or CA$360 plus tax (Canada). From February 1, 2027 it is US$350 or CA$570.

Checked November 10, 2026

Short answer: The NCLEX registration fee is US$200 if you seek a license in the United States or Australia, and CA$360 plus local taxes if you seek registration in Canada. For registrations completed on or after February 1, 2027, the fee rises to US$350 in the United States and Australia and to CA$570 in Canada.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) sets these fees. You pay them to Pearson VUE, which delivers the exam, when you register.

The fee now and from February 1, 2027

Where you seek a license Fee now Fee for registrations from February 1, 2027
United States US$200 US$350
Canada CA$360, local taxes not included CA$570
Australia US$200 US$350

NCSBN does not publish the Canadian tax rate or the total with tax. NCSBN says the fee has not changed since 2000, and the new fee reflects 25 years of inflation and the rising cost of exams, data protection and cybersecurity.

Your registration date decides the fee, not your exam date

NCSBN states that the date of registration decides the fee. A registration completed before February 1, 2027 is charged the current fee, even if the exam is later.

Registering early helps only if your board makes you eligible in time. A registration stays open for 365 days. If your board does not make you eligible within that period, you lose the registration and the fee. The full order of steps is in How do you register for the NCLEX?.

Extra fees on top of the registration fee

Extra fee United States Canada Australia
International scheduling fee, plus value-added tax (VAT) where it applies US$150 CA$150 US$150
Change of nursing regulatory body after you register US$50 CA$50 Two sources disagree (see below)
Change of exam type (RN or PN) after you register US$50 not applicable not applicable
Change of exam language (English or French) after you register not applicable CA$50 not applicable

The international scheduling fee applies when you test at an international center. Puerto Rico counts as international for US candidates. See Can you take the NCLEX outside the United States?.

For Australian candidates, the fees web page says the change-of-board fee is "Not Applicable", but the April 2026 Candidate Bulletin prints US$50. Ask Pearson VUE before you make that change.

NCSBN says these extra fees stay the same after February 1, 2027.

No refunds, and a retake costs the full fee

NCSBN gives no refund of the registration fee or the international scheduling fee for any reason.

For each retake you register again and pay the full registration fee, at the amount in effect on the day you complete that registration. The wait between attempts is in How many times can you retake the NCLEX?.

You also lose the fee if you miss your appointment or cancel too late. See What is the Authorization to Test?.

What the NCLEX fee does not include

  • Your board's own fee. You pay a licensing or registration fee to your nursing regulatory body with your application. Each board sets its own amount, and NCSBN does not list the amounts. Ask your board.
  • Quick Results. This optional unofficial result for US candidates costs US$7.95. It is not available in Canada or Australia.

For US veterans, the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs reimbursement. This is not available to candidates in Canada or Australia.

What to do next

  1. Confirm which country and board you will apply to, because that decides your fee.
  2. If you plan to test in early 2027, ask your board how long it takes to make you eligible.
  3. Ask your board for its own application fee, so you know your full cost.

Common questions

Does the new fee apply to people who registered in 2026?

No. NCSBN says registrations completed before February 1, 2027 are charged the current fee.

I live in Canada but will apply in the United States. Which fee do I pay?

The US fee. NCSBN bases the fee on where you seek a license, not where you live.

Can my school or employer pay the fee?

Yes. NCSBN says nursing schools, agencies and employers may register and pay for a candidate.

Prep from our team

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