NCLEX in Pennsylvania: PALS, the $95 fee and mandatory child abuse training
Pennsylvania licenses nurses through the State Board of Nursing, and you apply online in PALS. The Board’s licensure snapshot lists a $95 fee for graduates of Pennsylvania programs and $115 for out-of-state graduates, and requires three hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training before any license is issued.
Last checked October 2026. Fees are from the Board’s published licensure snapshot and its regulations, with other details from third-party summaries. Confirm current requirements in PALS before you pay.
The path for a new graduate
Create a PALS account and submit the application for licensure by examination, with the fee for your type of program.
Complete the Board's required child abuse recognition and reporting training from a Pennsylvania Department of Human Services-approved provider. The Board lists three hours.
Your program sends a Verification of Education directly to the Board.
Create an account and pay $200. You register with Pearson VUE separately after applying to the Board.
Once the Board approves your application, Pearson VUE sends your Authorization to Test. A third-party guide reports this within one to two weeks of approval.
Fees
| Item | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Licensure by examination, PA program graduate | $95 | Board |
| Licensure by examination, out-of-state program graduate | $115 | Board |
| Licensure by endorsement | $120 | Board |
| NCLEX-RN exam fee | $200 | Pearson VUE |
| Fingerprint background check | About $50, reported | Fingerprint provider |
| RN renewal, every two years | $122 | Board |
From the Board’s snapshot and regulations unless marked as reported.
Things that catch applicants out
- The child abuse training is mandatory before your license is issued, not just at renewal. Sources quote two or three hours, but the Board’s snapshot and regulations say three for initial licensure.
- Fingerprinting. Reports differ on exactly when it applies, tied to Pennsylvania’s move into the Nurse Licensure Compact. Check PALS for what your application asks.
- Organ donation education. The Board says RNs must complete two hours of it once within five years, beginning May 1, 2026, so ask your program whether it is covered.
Common questions
What if I fail and retake?
You submit a re-examination application and fee to the Board, and re-register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 fee again. Check PALS for the current re-examination fee.
Is Pennsylvania a compact state?
Reports say Pennsylvania joined the Nurse Licensure Compact, with implementation in July 2025. If you plan to work across state lines, check the Board for how your primary state of residence affects your license.