NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse licensure exam) Cost
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $200
- Issuing body
- NCSBN / Pearson VUE
- Domain
- Healthcare
- Validity
- License renewed per state
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 NCLEX-RN is the licensure examination administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and delivered by Pearson VUE. As of June 2026, the base exam fee is $200 for a single attempt. This fee covers administration of the examination only and does not include third-party study materials, prep courses, practice tests, or retake fees. Candidates should note that state licensure fees, which range from approximately $75 to $375 depending on the jurisdiction, are separate from the exam fee. Exam fees are subject to change; candidates should verify the current fee directly with NCSBN or Pearson VUE before budgeting or registering.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for registered nurses is $93,600. This figure represents the median earnings of the occupation and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed salary, earnings increase, or financial outcome tied to passing the certification. All questions regarding exam eligibility, current pricing, registration procedures, and renewal requirements should be directed to the official NCSBN website or the relevant state board of nursing.
Related pay (occupation median). The U.S. BLS reports a median annual wage of $93,600 (typically $66,030–$135,320 from the 10th to the 90th percentile) for Registered Nurses, the occupation this certification most often targets. That is the occupation’s pay, not a guaranteed lift from the certificate — actual pay depends on role, employer, location and experience. Source: BLS OEWS national file.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Certification | NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse licensure exam) |
| Issuing body | NCSBN / Pearson VUE |
| Base exam fee | $200 |
| Fee notes | exam fee; + state licensure $75-375 |
| Prerequisites | Approved nursing program (ADN/BSN) |
| Validity / renewal | License renewed per state |
What this fee does and doesn’t include
The figure here is the official-body exam fee for a single attempt. It does not include third-party training, prep courses, study materials, or retake fees — those are separate and vary by provider. Membership-tiered bodies may offer a lower member rate (noted above). Confirm the live fee on the issuer’s registration page before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse licensure exam) exam?
Does this include a prep course?
Exam fee compiled from issuer’s registration page →, verified June 2026. How we compile this. Confirm the current fee before you pay — bodies re-price periodically.
Prerequisites & how to register → · Prep guide → · Compare Healthcare certs →