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NCLEX in Canada and in the United States: what is different

Canada and the US use the same NCLEX-RN. Canada pays CA$360 plus tax (CA$570 from February 1, 2027); the US pays US$200 (US$350).

Checked November 10, 2026

Short answer: Canada and the United States use the same NCLEX-RN exam. What differs is the fee (CA$360 plus local taxes in Canada and US$200 in the United States, rising to CA$570 and US$350 for registrations from February 1, 2027), who makes you eligible, the French option and how you receive results.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) says the same NCLEX-RN is used for entry to practice in both countries. Candidates in Canada first took it on January 5, 2015. The NCLEX-PN is used for US licensure only.

Side by side

Canada United States
Exams used NCLEX-RN NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN
Registration fee now CA$360 US$200
Tax Local taxes extra, rate not published Not stated by NCSBN
Fee from February 1, 2027 CA$570 US$350
International scheduling fee CA$150 plus VAT where it applies US$150 plus VAT where it applies
Who makes you eligible A provincial or territorial regulator A state board of nursing
Exam language English or French English
Domestic test centers (no extra fee) Canadian provinces and territories, and the mainland United States The United States and its territories
Official results From the regulator only From the board only
Quick Results (unofficial) Not available US$7.95, two business days, only where the board takes part
2025 first-time pass rate, educated in the country 86.0% (10,789 candidates) 86.7% (192,916 candidates)
2025 first-time pass rate, internationally educated 39.6% (7,312 candidates) 47.3% (52,827 candidates)

Which fee you pay

The fee follows where you seek licensure, not where you live: NCSBN says a Canadian resident seeking a US license pays the US fee. In both countries the registration date, not the exam date, decides the fee. See How much does the NCLEX cost?.

Who makes you eligible

In the United States, each state board sets its own eligibility rules. In Canada, NCSBN's 2025 statistics say 10 regulatory bodies adopted the NCLEX-RN. Its pass-rate table shows these jurisdictions: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan. Quebec is not in the table. NCSBN's member contact page lists a slightly different set, which includes Yukon Territory. Confirm on your regulator's own site. For one worked route, see Philippine nurse to Canada.

French, test centers and results

NCSBN offers the NCLEX-RN in French for Canadian candidates, with French versions of the test plan, tutorial and candidate bulletin. French phone support is 1.866.288.8454.

Canadian candidates can test in the mainland United States without the international fee. NCSBN also publishes a 2026 schedule of temporary Canadian test sites, for example Kamloops, Iqaluit, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Charlottetown, each open on set dates. For testing farther away, see Can you take the NCLEX outside the United States?.

In Canada, your result comes only from your regulator. The College of Nurses of Ontario, for example, posts an NCLEX result to your application up to 5 days after it receives it. See When do NCLEX results come out?.

2025 pass rates

NCSBN's 2025 table by province shows first-time Canada-educated rates such as Ontario 84.3% and British Columbia 89.7%, and a total of 86.1% of 10,734 candidates. NCSBN notes that this total leaves out 55 candidates not educated in one of the 10 jurisdictions. Earlier years are on NCLEX pass rates by year.

What to do next

  1. Choose where you want a license, then read that regulator's eligibility rules.
  2. If you prefer French, choose it when you register, to avoid the CA$50 change fee.

Common questions

If I pass for Canada, does a US board see my result?

NCSBN says that once your regulator releases your result, it is available to all nursing regulatory bodies. Each board decides whether it accepts it toward a license.

Is the passing standard the same?

Yes, because it is the same exam. NCSBN's NCLEX-RN passing standard is 0.00 logits through March 31, 2029. See How is the NCLEX scored?.

Which exam do practical nurses take in Canada?

The NCLEX-PN is used for US licensure only. Ask your provincial regulator.

Prep from our team

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