1. Apply for licensure
Apply for licensure to the board of nursing in the state or territory where you wish to be licensed. Contact the state board for the requirements.
2. Register for the NCLEX examination
Register for the NCLEX examination with Pearson VUE by mail, telephone or via the internet.
- The name with which you register must match exactly with the printed name on the identification you present at the test center.
- If you provide an e-mail address when registering for the NCLEX examination, all subsequent correspondences from Pearson VUE will arrive ONLY BY E-MAIL. If you do not provide an e-mail address, all correspondences will arrive only through the U.S. mail.
- All NCLEX examination registrations will remain open for a 365-day time period during which a board of nursing may determine your eligibility to take the NCLEX examination.
- There is no refund of the $200 NCLEX registration fee for any reason.
3. Receive Confirmation of Registration
Receive Confirmation of Registration from Pearson VUE.
4. Receive Eligibility From the State Board
Receive eligibility from the state board of nursing you applied for licensure with.
5. Receive the Authorization to Test (ATT)
Receive the Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE.
If more than two weeks have passed after you have submitted a registration for the NCLEX examination and received a confirmation from Pearson VUE, and have not received an ATT, please call Pearson VUE.
If more than two weeks have passed after you have submitted a registration for the NCLEX examination and received a confirmation from Pearson VUE, and have not received an ATT, please call Pearson VUE.
- You must test within the validity dates of your ATT. These validity dates cannot be extended for any reason.
- The printed name on your identification must match exactly with the printed name on your ATT. If the name with which you have registered is different from the name on your identification, you must bring legal name change documentation with you to the test center on the day of your test.
6. Schedule an Appointment to Test
Schedule an appointment to test by visiting www.pearsonvue.com/nclex or by calling Pearson VUE.
A. To change your appointment date:
A. To change your appointment date:
- For exams scheduled on: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, call Pearson VUE at least 24 hours in advance of the day and time of your appointment.
- For exams scheduled on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, call Pearson VUE no later than the Friday at least 1 full business day in advance of the time of your appointment.
7. Present one Form of Acceptable Identification
Present one form of acceptable identification and your ATT on the day of the examination.
- The only acceptable forms of identification in test centers in the U.S., American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Virgin Islands are:
- U.S. driver’s license (not a temporary or learner’s permit)
- U.S. state identification
- Passport
- For all other test centers (international), only a passport is acceptable. All identification must be written in English, have a signature in English, be valid (not expired) and include a photograph. Candidates with identification from a country on the U.S. embargoed countries list will not be admitted to test.
- You will not be admitted to the examination without acceptable identification and your ATT. If you arrive without these materials, you forfeit your test session and must re-register; this includes re-payment of the $200 registration fee.
8. Receive your NCLEX Examination Results
Receive your NCLEX examination results from the board of nursing you applied for licensure with within one month from your examination date.