How Much Does the NCLEX-PN Cost? $200 Now, $350 From Feb 2027

The National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) registration fee is $200 USD for U.S. candidates as of October 2026, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) 2026 NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin and the fee page on NCLEX.com. For registrations completed on or after February 1, 2027, the fee rises to $350 USD, the first change to the NCLEX registration fee since 2000, according to NCSBN. The registration date sets the fee, not the exam date, and a retake requires paying the full fee again. NCSBN also documents a $150 USD international scheduling fee, a $50 USD fee to change your nursing regulatory body after registering, and a $50 USD fee to change exam type between RN and PN (U.S. candidates). The registration fee is not refundable for any reason. Licensure fees are set by each state board and billed separately. A first attempt plus one retake costs $400 USD in registration fees if both registrations are completed by January 31, 2027.

The NCLEX-PN Fee Schedule, As of October 2026

NCSBN publishes one fee table for both the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN, so the PN exam costs the same as the RN exam (see how much the NCLEX-RN costs). The table below shows what each charge is today and what changes on February 1, 2027. Amounts are in U.S. dollars. NCSBN’s bulletin states the NCLEX-PN is used for U.S. licensure only, so the U.S. column of NCSBN’s fee table is the one that applies.

Charge	Through Jan 31, 2027	From Feb 1, 2027
Registration fee (first attempt or retake)	$200	$350
International scheduling fee, plus VAT where applicable	$150	$150 (unchanged)
Change nursing regulatory body after registering	$50	$50 (unchanged)
Change exam type (RN or PN) after registering	$50	$50 (unchanged)
Quick Results service (optional, unofficial result)	$7.95	Not addressed in the fee change notice
State licensure or registration fee	Set by your nursing regulatory body and billed separately

How the February 1, 2027 Increase Works

NCSBN states that registrations completed before February 1, 2027 are charged the current fee, and registrations completed on or after that date are charged the adjusted fee. The date you sit the exam does not matter, and NCSBN states the change applies to retakes as well. Per NCSBN, the international scheduling fee and the change fees do not change. If you are close to finishing your nursing program, the practical takeaway is that the cost depends on when your registration is completed, which in turn depends on when your state board accepts your application and you register with Pearson VUE.

What the Registration Fee Does and Does Not Cover

The registration fee is paid to Pearson VUE when you register for the NCLEX, and it is separate from the application you submit to your nursing regulatory body. NCSBN’s bulletin states that registrations stay open for 365 days while your regulatory body decides on your eligibility. If you are not made eligible within that period, you forfeit the registration and the fee, and you would need to register and pay again. After you are declared eligible, you receive an Authorization to Test, and you must test within its validity dates. The bulletin says the average ATT is valid for about 90 days, and the dates cannot be extended for any reason. Before you pay, see what’s on the NCLEX-PN to know the exam you are registering for.

Incidental Costs NCSBN Documents

Beyond the registration fee, the bulletin documents a short list of charges. Choosing an international test center adds the nonrefundable $150 USD scheduling fee, and rescheduling from an international center to a domestic one forfeits it. Moving the other direction, from a domestic center to an international one, triggers the fee. Changing your regulatory body or switching between the RN and PN exam after registering costs $50 each. Note that registering for the wrong exam type is a common avoidable expense, so confirm you are registering for the PN exam before paying. The optional Quick Results service, which gives an unofficial result two business days after testing in participating jurisdictions, costs $7.95 and charges your card only if a result is available, according to NCLEX.com. It does not authorize you to practice.

Refunds, Missed Appointments, and Duplicate Registrations

NCSBN is explicit that there is no refund of NCLEX registration fees for any reason, including duplicate registrations, failing to appear for an appointment, and failing to reschedule or cancel with enough notice. The bulletin asks you to change an appointment at least one full business day (24 hours) before the scheduled time. Missing the window forfeits the fee, invalidates your ATT, and requires registering and paying again. The bulletin also lists an ID name mismatch at check-in as a reason candidates are turned away and must pay another exam fee, so make sure the name on your ID matches your registration exactly. The practical effect is that a calendar reminder and a quick ID check protect a $200 or $350 investment.

What It Costs to Retake the NCLEX-PN

There is no discounted retake fee. Each attempt requires a new registration and the full registration fee that applies on the date the registration is completed. The table below is our arithmetic from NCSBN’s published fees, not a separate NCSBN price list, and it covers registration fees only.

Scenario	Registration fees
One attempt, registered by Jan 31, 2027	$200
Two attempts, both registered by Jan 31, 2027	$400
One attempt, registered on or after Feb 1, 2027	$350
First attempt by Jan 31, 2027, retake on or after Feb 1, 2027	$550
Two attempts, both registered on or after Feb 1, 2027	$700

License Renewal Is Not Part of the NCLEX Fee

The NCLEX fee buys one exam registration. It does not include licensure, and NCSBN’s fee table does not list license renewal fees or renewal cycles for practical or vocational nurses. Those are set by each state board of nursing, and the fee table in the bulletin lists licensure and registration fees only as “contact nursing regulatory body.” For the exact cost of your first license and later renewals, check with the board in the state where you plan to practice.

Want to make your registration fee count? Try a free NCLEX-PN practice test to see where you stand, or start practicing for the NCLEX-PN now with original questions built around the current test plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the NCLEX-PN cost in 2026?

The NCLEX-PN registration fee is $200 USD for U.S. candidates as of October 2026, per NCSBN. It rises to $350 USD for registrations completed on or after February 1, 2027. State licensure fees are separate and set by each nursing regulatory body.

Is the NCLEX-PN fee different from the NCLEX-RN fee?

No. NCSBN lists a single registration fee for the NCLEX, and it is the same $200 USD for the RN and PN exams as of October 2026. Changing from one exam type to the other after you register costs $50 USD for U.S. candidates.

Do I pay again if I fail and retake the NCLEX-PN?

Yes. Every attempt requires a new registration and the full registration fee that applies when you register. NCSBN states the February 1, 2027 increase applies to retakes.

Can I get a refund on the NCLEX registration fee?

NCSBN states there is no refund of NCLEX registration fees for any reason, including duplicate registrations, missed appointments, and late reschedules. The international scheduling fee is also nonrefundable.

Sources

• ncsbn.org, 2026 NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin
• nclex.com, Fees & Payment
• ncsbn.org, NCLEX Fee Changes Feb. 1, 2027
• nclex.com, Quick Results

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For educational and exam preparation purposes only. Not a substitute for formal clinical training.