NCSBN / Pearson VUE Certifications

Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), administered through Pearson VUE, issues one major licensure certification covered on this page: the NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse licensure examination). This certification represents the standardized assessment required for initial registered nurse licensure across the United States. Each certification carries an official examination fee, published prerequisite requirements, and a defined validity and renewal cycle established by the issuing body.

The examination fees presented reflect the base single-attempt official charge as verified in June 2026 and are subject to change. These figures exclude costs for third-party preparation materials, study programs, and examination retakes. Individuals considering registration should confirm the current examination fee, all applicable prerequisites, and the latest renewal requirements directly on NCSBN's or Pearson VUE's official website before enrolling. The issuing body remains the authoritative source for all certification requirements and procedural details.

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