NCLEX in North Carolina: Nurse Gateway, a $38 background check and a temporary permit
In North Carolina you apply to the Board of Nursing through its Nurse Gateway portal, pay a $75 application fee and a $38 criminal background check fee, and register with Pearson VUE. The Board’s rules require electronic confirmation of your Pearson VUE registration before it approves you to test.
Last checked October 2026. Based on the Board’s rules and third-party and nonprofit guidance. Confirm fees and timing in Nurse Gateway before you pay.
The path for a new graduate
Register and pay $200. A guide suggests doing this at least two weeks before you finish your program, and the Board needs electronic confirmation of your registration.
Submit the application for licensure by examination in Nurse Gateway and pay the fee. The criminal background check application is part of this process.
Download and sign the Electronic Fingerprint Submission Release of Information, complete fingerprinting, and upload the signed form, or the check cannot be processed. Hard cards, if used, are mailed unfolded.
Your school sends nursing education verification to the Board.
The Board notifies Pearson VUE that you are eligible, and Pearson VUE emails your ATT.
The temporary permit
New graduates are reported to receive a temporary permit to practice automatically once the application, background check fee, Pearson VUE registration and education verification are complete. Another source says the background check results must have been received before a permit is issued, so confirm the exact condition with the Board.
Guidance from the Board quoted by a nonprofit says you may take the NCLEX before your background check is complete. Be honest on the application: a fingerprint check that shows an offense you did not disclose can make you ineligible.
Common questions
What if I fail and retake?
Reports say you apply to retake and pay $75, and re-register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 fee again. Check Nurse Gateway for the current process.
How is endorsement different?
Reports put the application fee at $75 and the endorsement fee at $150, with the $38 background check separate. This page covers new graduates applying by examination.