NCLEX fees and payment: what the exam can cost
The total cost of becoming licensed is not the NCLEX registration fee alone. Depending on the jurisdiction and test location, a candidate may pay a nursing-regulatory-body application fee, the Pearson NCLEX registration fee, an international scheduling fee, taxes, and charges for certain registration changes.
Time-sensitive prices
The figures below were checked on August 31, 2026. The official page announces a fee change effective February 1, 2027. Verify the live NCSBN fee page and your NRB immediately before paying. PulseRN is not affiliated with NCSBN, Pearson or an NRB.
Published fees before February 1, 2027
| Fee | U.S. licensure | Canadian licensure | Australian licensure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | $200 USD | $360 CAD, excluding local taxes | $200 USD |
| Additional international scheduling | $150 USD plus applicable VAT | $150 CAD plus applicable VAT | $150 USD plus applicable VAT |
| Change NRB after registration | $50 USD | $50 CAD | Not applicable on the published table |
| Change RN/PN examination type | $50 USD | Not applicable on the published table | Not applicable on the published table |
Evidence for this table: the official NCLEX Fees & Payment page. Local taxes and NRB licensure fees are separate.
The announced 2027 change
NCSBN's live fee page states that effective February 1, 2027, the registration fee will be $350 in the United States and Australia and $570 CAD in Canada. That is an announced future price, not the amount displayed for registrations before the effective date. Because fee implementation can change, confirm the live checkout and official page rather than relying on a saved screenshot.
Payment and duplicate-registration risk
The published Pearson registration options accept valid Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit, debit or prepaid cards. Schools, agencies or employers can use the official third-party-payment route. If confirmation does not arrive within two days, NCSBN directs the candidate to Pearson Candidate Services; submitting another registration before resolving the first can create a non-refundable duplicate fee.
Refund boundaries
NCSBN states that registration fees are not refunded for duplicate registrations, an untimely cancellation or change, or failure to appear. It also states that the international scheduling fee is non-refundable. Read the current policy before paying and preserve confirmation records for registrations and appointment changes.
Common questions
What is the U.S. NCLEX registration fee in 2026?
The official NCSBN page showed $200 USD for candidates seeking U.S. licensure when checked on August 31, 2026. It announces a change to $350 effective February 1, 2027; verify the live page before payment.
Is there an extra international NCLEX fee?
Yes. The published table shows an additional $150 international scheduling fee in the applicable currency, plus VAT where applicable.
Are nursing-board application fees included?
No. Nursing regulatory body licensure or registration fees are separate and vary by jurisdiction.
Is the NCLEX fee refundable if I miss the appointment?
The published NCSBN refund policy says no. Failure to appear and untimely changes or cancellations forfeit the registration fee, and the international scheduling fee is also non-refundable.
Sources and further reading
- NCSBN — NCLEX Fees & Payment — National Council of State Boards of Nursing; evidence locator: Current registration, international scheduling, change, refund and announced February 1, 2027 fees; accessed
- NCSBN — How to Register with Pearson — National Council of State Boards of Nursing; evidence locator: Program Codes; Pearson registration options; confirmation email; 365-day Registration Time Limit; duplicate registrations; Testing Accommodations; accessed
- NCSBN — How to Schedule an NCLEX Appointment — National Council of State Boards of Nursing; evidence locator: When to Schedule; Online and Telephone Scheduling; Missing an Appointment; Changing an Appointment; International and accommodated appointment changes; accessed
Practice this for real. PulseRN pricing is separate from NCLEX, Pearson, and nursing-regulatory-body fees; PulseRN cannot collect or refund examination charges.