NCLEX-PN cost: the exam fee and state license fees
The NCLEX-PN exam fee is $200 paid to Pearson VUE, the same as the RN exam. The state application fee is separate, and in most states we checked it is the same as or lower than the RN fee. Add a background check and any retake fees.
Last checked October 2026. Based on state board instructions and third-party summaries for the states listed. We did not verify PN fees in every state, so confirm yours with your board.
State application fees: PN versus RN
| State | PN application fee | RN application fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | $50 | $75 | Board requirements |
| Virginia | $170 | $190 | Board form |
| Mississippi | $60 | $100 | Board |
| Nevada | $90 | $100 | Board instructions |
| Kansas | $50 | $75 | Board instructions |
| Ohio | $75 | $75 | Board application instructions |
| Missouri | About $41 | $45 | Third-party summary |
| Rhode Island | About $45 | About $135 | Third-party summary |
| Wyoming | About $130 | About $130 | Third-party summary |
| Alaska | $375 total | $375 total | Board instructions |
Board-sourced where marked; others reported by third-party summaries. Background check fees are usually separate.
Alaska’s board lists the same total for both, split differently: its LPN instructions show a $200 application fee and a $100 license fee, and its RN instructions the reverse, each with a $75 fingerprint fee.
Other costs to plan for
- Background check. Most boards require fingerprints with a separate fee.
- Retakes. You pay Pearson VUE’s $200 again, and many boards charge a retake application. Examples we found include Ohio, where a new application is required, and Oregon and Wisconsin, which list small retake fees.
- Transcripts and verification. Some schools or boards charge for these.
- Prep. See our PN prep page for the products we could confirm.
Common questions
Is the PN exam cheaper than the RN exam?
The exam fee is $200 for both, set by Pearson VUE. Where the PN license costs less, it is the state application fee that differs.
What if my state is not listed?
Our state guides list the RN application fee and note where PN rules differ. If your state is not in the table, check its board’s page for the licensure by examination fee for practical nurses.