NCLEX in New Hampshire: pre-register with Pearson VUE, then apply to the OPLC
New Hampshire’s Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) lists pre-registering with Pearson VUE as a prerequisite on its license by examination checklist. After that you apply online, upload a copy of your state-issued driver’s license, have your school send official transcripts, and complete a criminal background check.
Last checked October 2026. Based on the OPLC’s license by examination checklist and third-party summaries. The fee table was not available to us, and one summary lists $148, so confirm the application fee on the OPLC’s license fees page.
The path for a new graduate
The OPLC's checklist lists this as the prerequisite. Pay $200. Pearson VUE, not the Board, issues your ATT.
Apply through the state's online licensing system and pay the non-refundable fee. The checklist asks you not to submit multiple applications, which can delay licensure.
Upload a copy of your state-issued driver's license, and have your degree institution send official transcripts directly to the OPLC licensing mailbox.
New Hampshire requires an FBI fingerprint and state background check. Applicants complete Live Scan or inked fingerprint cards, with a notarized authorization form and fee.
When your application is complete you are eligible to test, and Pearson VUE issues your ATT.
Things to know
- Background check timing. A guide for endorsement applicants says results can take four to six weeks and a temporary license is not available until they arrive.
- Internationally educated applicants need a CGFNS report including an English proficiency exam and the ADA accommodations form, per the OPLC’s foreign-educated checklist.
- Fingerprint fees vary. A guide says Live Scan fees through the state police vary, so confirm the current amount.
Common questions
What if I fail?
The OPLC’s checklist keeps the same prerequisite of pre-registering with Pearson VUE and gives the same application route. Check the Board’s page for its retake process.
Is New Hampshire a compact state?
Reports say New Hampshire joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2006. Confirm with the Board how your primary state of residence affects your license.