NCLEX in Arizona: pay Pearson VUE first and submit your own fingerprint card
Arizona confirms that you have paid Pearson VUE before it grants eligibility to test, so registration comes early. You apply through the Board’s Nurse Portal and submit a fingerprint card that you obtain yourself, since the Board does not issue one.
Last checked October 2026. Based on the Arizona State Board of Nursing’s published application guidance and third-party summaries. Application fees are reported at different amounts between sources, so confirm them on the Board’s fee schedule.
The path for a new graduate
The Board asks candidates to download the NCLEX candidate bulletin about a month before graduation. Register and pay $200, because Arizona confirms payment before granting eligibility.
Apply through the Arizona State Board of Nursing's Nurse Portal and pay the application fee. Your application is reviewed to see whether you qualify for a multistate license.
You must submit a full set of fingerprints for state and federal record checks. The Board does not issue fingerprint cards. A DPS clearance card is not a substitute.
Your school provides a certificate of completion, and the Board checks your education and your proof of citizenship or lawful presence.
Once the Board confirms eligibility, Pearson VUE emails your ATT. Check your application status in the portal's message center.
Fingerprint rules
- You are exempt only if you submitted a fingerprint card to the Board within the previous two years.
- Applicants outside Arizona submit a physical FD-258 card completed by an authorized agency. Self-administered cards are not accepted.
- The card is separate from the fingerprint clearance card that Arizona uses for other professions, which does not replace it here.
Common questions
What if I fail?
A guide says Arizona places no limit on NCLEX-RN retakes. A failed candidate may also apply for the NCLEX-PN, which needs a new application and fee but no further program verification.
Is there a time limit after graduating?
A guide reports that RN graduates who do not apply for licensure within two years must complete a refresher course. Check the Board’s page for the current rule.