How to Register for the 2025 NCLEX® Exam

You’re on the home stretch. You’ve clocked the clinical hours, survived the exams, and you’re officially eligible to take the NCLEX. Now it’s time to register for the exam — without missing a step or delaying your test date. We’ll walk you through every part of the NCLEX registration process, including state-specific requirements, international applicant considerations, and what to do to reschedule or cancel your exam. Whether you’re 45 days out or ready to sign up today, you can use this resource to ensure that nothing stands between you and your exam date.

NCLEX Registration Process: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Apply for the NCLEX

We know you’re eager to register and get your exam date. To make the process as painless as possible, follow these 5 simple steps:

1. Confirm Your Eligibility with Your State's Nursing Regulatory Body

   To ensure eligibility, apply for licensure with a Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB), typically your state board of nursing.

2. Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE

   After submitting your licensure application, head to Pearson VUE’s website to create an account and officially register for the NCLEX.
• Fee: $200 (non-refundable). If you schedule your exam at an international test center (outside the U.S. and its territories), you must also pay a non-refundable $150 international scheduling fee, plus any applicable taxes.
• Ensure that your name matches your NRB application and your ID exactly.

3. Receive Your Authorization to Test (ATT)

   After your NRB confirms you're eligible and your Pearson VUE registration is processed, you'll receive an ATT document via email. This is your ticket to scheduling the exam, valid for 90 days.

4. Schedule Your Exam

   Use the link in your ATT email to book your exam through Pearson VUE. You’ll choose your test center, date, and time. Remember to schedule ASAP, as spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons (April-June, July-August, December-January).

5. Prep Smarter

   Review our exam prep for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN. You'll be ready to test for success with smart flashcards, a study planner, high-yield videos, and many other innovative features.

State-Specific NRB Application Processes

Each NRB has unique requirements that can impact your timeline, such as:

• California: Requires fingerprinting and often takes longer to process applications.
• Texas: Mandates a criminal background check with DPS/FBI fingerprinting.
• New York, Minnesota, and Illinois: Allow applicants to proceed without a Social Security Number (SSN), which is helpful for international nurses or DACA recipients.

Note: Visit your NRB’s site directly or use the NCSBN NRB directory for up-to-date information.

NCLEX Registration for International Nurses

If you earned your nursing degree outside the U.S. or Canada, your process includes a few extra steps:

1. Credential Evaluation

   Depending on your state, you must verify your academic qualifications through a service such as CGFNS, IERF, or WES.

2. English Language Proficiency

   Most states require IELTS or TOEFL scores unless your education was in English.

3. Apply to Your NRB

   Submit your license application like any U.S. grad, but include your credential evaluation results.

4. Register with Pearson VUE

   Once your NRB clears your eligibility, follow the same registration steps: create an account, pay the $200 fee, and wait for your ATT.

Note: For more information on registration for international candidates, check out our eligibility requirements page.