NCLEX in Kentucky: a jurisprudence exam, a provisional license and a retest rule
Kentucky’s Board of Nursing publishes a clear process. You apply through its Nurse Portal with a $125 non-refundable fee, pass the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination, complete a state and federal background check through IdentoGO, and register with Pearson VUE. Your application is valid for one year, and a failed attempt voids it.
Last checked October 2026. Based on the Kentucky Board of Nursing’s exam application pages and third-party summaries. Confirm current fees in the Nurse Portal.
The path for a new graduate
Complete the online application in the Nurse Portal and pay $125. A paper application is possible for an extra $40.
Complete the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination after your application. It cannot be accessed until your application is on file.
Complete the state and federal criminal background check through IdentoGO.
Register with Pearson VUE and pay $200, and review the Board's NCLEX page for the ATT email and rescheduling rules.
If you attended a Kentucky program, the school submits your name on a certified list. Others send verification of completion to the Board.
A provisional license is issued once the Board's application requirements are complete, and Pearson VUE sends your ATT.
If you fail
- A failed attempt voids your application. The Board says your exam application is voided and your provisional license is invalidated if you are unsuccessful on the NCLEX.
- Reapply for a retest. The Board’s page says you must reapply for the examination retest application after the second unsuccessful attempt, and its fee schedule lists a $125 retest fee.
- The provisional license is valid for six months and is voided if you fail the NCLEX twice in that period.
Common questions
What is the Jurisprudence Examination?
The Board says it can be completed through the Nurse Portal and covers Kentucky nursing law. It is a state-specific step, so do it soon after you apply.
Is the process the same for practical nurses?
The Board’s pages say the process is the same for RNs and practical nurses, and that ADA accommodation requests go through the Nurse Portal message center.