NCLEX in Georgia: citizenship affidavit, GAPS fingerprints and a three-year rule
Georgia has more paperwork than most states. You register with Pearson VUE first, apply to the Georgia Board of Nursing online, then complete fingerprinting through Georgia Applicant Processing Services (GAPS). You also need a notarized citizenship affidavit, and Board rules require you to pass the NCLEX within three years of graduating.
Last checked October 2026. Based on the Board’s application form and school licensure guidance that follows its process. Fees are as published or reported; confirm them on the Georgia Secretary of State’s Board of Nursing page.
The path for a new graduate
Register and pay $200 at least 48 hours before you apply to the Board, using your school's code and your legal name.
Complete and notarize the citizenship affidavit and the criminal background check release form, and have a secure and verifiable document such as a driver's license or passport ready.
Submit through the Board's online licensing portal choosing the US examination method, ideally two to three weeks before your degree is conferred. Your school sends degree verification a few days after conferral.
Register with GAPS after submitting your application, choosing the Secretary of State and Board of Nursing, then complete fingerprinting at a designated site within 90 days of the email instructions.
Once everything is approved, Pearson VUE emails your ATT. Allow seven to ten business days, and contact your school if more than ten pass after degree confirmation.
Things that cause delays
- A name mismatch. Use your legal name on every form, matching your ID and diploma.
- A school or work email. Use a personal email, since your ATT and fingerprint instructions go there.
- Incomplete legal history. The guidance says even expunged charges must be disclosed, with court documents and a personal explanation.
Common questions
Is there a deadline to pass after I graduate?
The Board’s form for repeat-examination applicants says rule 410-2-.01 requires applicants for licensure by examination to pass the NCLEX within three years of the date of graduation.
What if I fail and retake?
The Board’s retake application is a paper form with a $40 fee plus a $10 mail-in processing fee. Check the Board’s page for the current form, and re-register with Pearson VUE.