The NCLEX registration fee rises to $350 on February 1, 2027.
NCSBN is raising the US registration fee from $200 to $350. The date you complete your registration decides which fee you pay. The date you sit the exam does not.
What changes
| Where you are licensing | Before Feb 1, 2027 | From Feb 1, 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $200 | $350 | +$150 |
| Australia | $200 USD | $350 USD | +$150 |
| Canada | $360 CAD | $570 CAD | +$210 |
The rule is the same in every country: a registration completed before February 1, 2027 is charged the current fee, and one completed on or after it is charged the new fee. It applies to retakes, so a candidate who sits twice after the change pays $700 in registration fees alone.
What to do if you test in 2027
- 1Check the order your board allows. Most boards let you register with Pearson VUE before or after you apply for licensure. If yours does, registering in January keeps the $200 fee.
- 2Register by January 31, 2027. Registration has to be complete and paid before midnight going into February 1. A draft or an unpaid registration does not hold the fee.
- 3Watch your ATT dates. Your Authorization to Test sets the window in which you must sit. Registering early does not extend it.
Questions
I register in January but test in March. Which fee do I pay?
The current $200. NCSBN sets the fee by the date your registration is completed, not the date you sit the exam. Your appointment still has to fall inside the dates on your Authorization to Test.
Does it apply to NCLEX-PN as well as NCLEX-RN?
Yes. The change covers every NCLEX registration, RN and PN, first attempts and retakes.
Are any other fees changing?
No. NCSBN says international scheduling fees and change fees stay the same, and the REx-PN fee is not affected.
Why is it going up?
NCSBN cites inflation and the rising cost of exam delivery, data protection and cybersecurity. It is the first change to the registration fee since 2000.
Can I register before my board approves me?
Registration with Pearson VUE and the application to your board of nursing are separate steps, and many boards let you do them in either order. Check your own board’s rules before you pay.
Source: NCSBN, NCLEX Fee Changes Feb. 1 (August 21, 2026). Fees are set by NCSBN and collected by Pearson VUE; Lumen Nursing does not handle registration. Last checked October 18, 2026.