How to register for the NCLEX-RN: step-by-step
NCLEX-RN is the licensure exam for the USA (and English-province Canada). Registration involves THREE separate parties — NCSBN, your chosen state board of nursing, and Pearson VUE — and getting the order right is what separates the smooth applicants from the stalled ones.
- International passport (valid 12+ months)
- Nursing diploma or BSc certificate
- Sealed academic transcripts
- Current home-country nursing licence
- Home regulator verification of registration
- Sworn translation (if any document is not in English)
- CGFNS CES Professional Report — $415 (most state boards)
- NCLEX exam fee — $200
- Pearson VUE international scheduling fee — $150
- State board licensure fee — varies by state ($75 – $250)
- VisaScreen (post-NCLEX, for visa) — $740
Step-by-step
- 1
Pick a state board of nursing first
Every state has different rules: some require CGFNS CES, some require an SSN, some require an English test. Texas, Vermont, and Iowa issue Authorization-to-Test (ATT) without an SSN — useful while still on a study visa. Pick the state BEFORE paying for credential evaluation.
1 – 2 weeks of research - 2
Order CGFNS CES Professional Report
Apply at cgfns.org for a CES Professional Report. Pay $415, request your school to mail sealed transcripts and licence verification directly to CGFNS. CGFNS reviews and sends the report to your chosen state board.
12 – 16 weeks - 3
Apply to your chosen state board for licensure-by-examination
Submit the state board application + state fee. The board reviews your CES report, English test (if required), and any state-specific requirements (e.g. fingerprints).
4 – 8 weeks - 4
Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE
Pay the $200 exam fee + $150 international scheduling fee at pearsonvue.com/nclex. You cannot do this until your state board issues your ATT.
1 – 2 weeks - 5
Wait for your Authorization to Test (ATT)
Your state board issues the ATT once your application is approved. The ATT lists a validity window — typically 90 days. You must sit NCLEX inside that window or pay state-board fees again.
2 – 6 weeks - 6
Book and sit the NCLEX-RN
Book a Pearson VUE seat in your country (Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Cape Town, Cairo) or travel. Computer-adaptive: 70 – 145 questions, 5 hours. Pass / fail confirmation arrives via email and your state board portal within 1 – 2 weeks.
4 – 8 weeks (including final prep) - 7
Apply for VisaScreen (for occupational visa)
After NCLEX pass, apply for TruMerit VisaScreen ($740). This is required for most US work visas (EB-3). Without it, you cannot start consular processing for a work visa.
6 – 12 weeks
Common pitfalls
- Do NOT pay for NCLEX before your state board issues an ATT — Pearson VUE registration is locked until then.
- State-board choice is the single highest-impact decision. Wrong state = wrong CES, wrong English test, wrong SSN rules — confirm everything BEFORE paying CGFNS.
- VisaScreen is a separate post-NCLEX step many candidates forget — budget the $740 + 6–12 weeks.
Frequently asked
Which US state should I pick for NCLEX?⌄
Texas, Vermont, and Iowa issue ATTs without an SSN — best for African candidates still on a study visa. California and New York are stricter on credential evaluation. Pick based on visa status + where you want to work, not based on hearsay.
Can I sit NCLEX in Africa?⌄
Yes — Pearson VUE has centres in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Cape Town, and Cairo. The international scheduling fee is $150 on top of the $200 exam fee.
How long is the ATT valid?⌄
Typically 90 days. If you do not sit NCLEX in that window, you must reapply through your state board and pay state-board fees again.
Do I need VisaScreen if I already have a green card?⌄
No — VisaScreen is only required for occupational visas (EB-3). Permanent residents already have work authorization.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for African-trained nurses?⌄
International first-attempt pass rates run ~50–55%. Targeted prep (UWorld + Saunders + Kaplan) lifts this substantially. Plan 2 – 4 months of focused study.
Can my home country licence be used in any US state directly?⌄
No — every US state requires NCLEX-RN regardless of your home licence. NCLEX is the licensing exam, not just a knowledge test.
NCLEX-RN registration is administratively heavier than NMC CBT, but the payoff is among the highest-paid RN salaries globally. Realistic end-to-end timeline is 12 – 24 months. The most leveraged move is locking in your state board choice early — everything downstream flows from that.
Related pages
Pathway provides guidance only. We are not an immigration lawyer, a nursing regulator, or a visa agent. Outcomes depend on regulators and authorities, not on us.