What the NCLEX costs in 2026
The exam fee is $200, paid to Pearson VUE, plus whatever your state board charges for its license application. A failed attempt means paying the $200 again. Prep is the other cost, and it ranges from tens of dollars to a few hundred.
The official costs
| Cost | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| NCLEX exam fee | $200 | Pearson VUE |
| License application | Set by your board of nursing | Your state board |
| Retake after a fail | $200 each time, plus any new board fee | Pearson VUE and the board |
| No-show or missed appointment | You forfeit the exam fee | Pearson VUE |
Exam fee as reported by NCSBN-referenced sources. State fees are set by each board.
Because state fees vary widely, there is no single total. Your board’s website lists its application fee and any fingerprinting or background-check charges.
Prep costs
| Provider | Reported price | Format |
|---|---|---|
| UWorld | About $130 to $270, by access length | Question bank with rationales and self-assessments |
| Archer Review | About $40 to $140, by access length and add-ons | Question bank, CAT simulator, optional videos |
| Kaplan | About $200 to $550 | Structured course, question bank, optional live classes |
| SimpleNursing | About $40 to $100 a month | Visual content and mnemonics |
As reported by third-party sites, which disagree and change with promotions. Confirm before you buy.
Three realistic totals
| Scenario | Exam fee | Prep | Total before board fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget question bank, passes first time | $200 | ~$60 to $140 | ~$260 to $340 |
| Mid-range question bank, passes first time | $200 | ~$170 to $270 | ~$370 to $470 |
| Structured course, one retake | $400 | ~$350 to $550 | ~$750 to $950 |
Illustrative only. Excludes your state board’s fee, which varies.
Ways to pay less
Some nursing schools give graduates access to a review product or discounts. Ask your program before you buy.
A failed attempt costs another $200. Booking only when your practice scores say you are ready is the cheapest way to prepare.
Question banks charge by access length. Match the window to your plan so you are not paying for weeks you will not use.
Common questions
Do I pay the board and Pearson VUE separately?
You pay the exam fee to Pearson VUE, and the license application fee to your state board. They are separate payments.
Is the exam fee refundable?
We did not find a general refund policy. Reported rules say that missing your appointment without cancelling forfeits the fee, so cancel or reschedule within Pearson VUE’s deadline.