Submission and Fee Information

How to submit...

1. Access the Nurse Gateway to complete the Examination application
2. Create a Username and Password to access your information and applications. If you have already created a Username and Password, you will only need to log in to your profile.
3. Select 'Exam Application' in the Licenses/Certificates dropdown
4. Complete application

Fee Information: $75.00

FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Valid Forms of Payment

• Credit or Debit Card; MasterCard or Visa only
• Third-Party Payments require a Certified Check or Money Order
  • Money orders and certified checks must be made out to the North Carolina Board of Nursing and we request that candidates provide a copy of the confirmation page to decrease processing delays.  Mail this form or your Certified Check or Money Order to the Board at North Carolina Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2129, Raleigh, NC 27602-2129, Attn. Finance Department.
  • For payments via credit card, access https://portal.ncbon.com/thirdparty/lookup.aspx and enter your application confirmation number located on your confirmation page. 
  • Once your payment has been received, allow 3-5 banking days for your payment to clear and then your application will be processed.
  • You will not be declared eligible until required documents and payment are received by the Board of Nursing.

• Your Examination application
• Your Electronic School Verification or Official Transcript Copies 
  • Graduates of International nursing education programs must complete a Credentials Evaluation Service (CES Professional Report) or provide a CGFNS Certificate or VisaScreen. English proficiency testing is required for many Internationally educated nurse applicants.
• Your registration and payment of fees to Pearson Vue

• Register and pay at Pearson VUE Testing Centers ($200.00) at least two (2) weeks prior to program completion.
• Visit Pearson VUE for more information on the Testing Centers
  • This site includes information about registering, Authorization to Test (ATT) letters, scheduling and rescheduling and acceptable Identification Documents.
  • Questions? Email: pvamericascustomerservice@pearson.com
• Pearson Vue will send an AUTHORIZATION TO TEST (ATT), by email if you have provided an email address on your registration, otherwise, it will be sent by mail. Your Authorization to Test will provide instructions on scheduling your examination. You must have your Authorization to Test prior to scheduling an appointment to take NCLEX examination.

Once the application is submitted, your North Carolina program (NC Program Verified) is verified by your Program Director or your Out-of-State Program is verified via transcript and Pearson VUE registration are complete then allow up to 10 business days to receive Authorization to Test (ATT) via e-mail.

The Authorization to Test (ATT) is valid for 180 days from the date of eligibility. If you miss your NCLEX appointment or the ATT expires, you are required to re-register and pay at Pearson Vue Testing Centers.

This site includes the candidate bulletin and information that is necessary to review for the NCLEX® examination.

Schedule your examination appointment with Pearson VUE. Arrive for your examination appointment and present your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter and acceptable identification.

Receive your official results from the North Carolina Board of Nursing approximately four (4) weeks after your examination.

Learn more about the Nurse Licensure Compact

In accordance with the Nursing Practice Act, all candidates applying for Licensure by Examination are required to undergo a fingerprint-based State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history check.

The Board of Nursing may deny an applicant on the basis of a conviction of a crime only if the board finds that the applicant's criminal conviction history is directly related to the duties and responsibilities for the licensed occupation, or the conviction is for a crime that is violent or sexual in nature. The Board of Nursing must specifically consider the following factors by law when denying an applicant for licensure due to a criminal conviction:

1. The level and seriousness of the crime.
2. The date of the crime.
3. The age of the person at the time of the crime.
4. The circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime, if known.
5. The nexus between the criminal conduct and the prospective duties of the applicant as a licensee.
6. The prison, jail, probation, parole, rehabilitation, and employment records of the applicant since the date the crime was committed.
   1. The completion of, or active participation in, rehabilitative drug or alcohol treatment.
   2. A Certificate of Relief granted pursuant to G.S. 15A-173.2.
7. The subsequent commission of a crime by the applicant.
8. Any affidavits or other written documents, including character references.

Applicant’s denied licensure in whole or in part because of a criminal conviction have the right to appeal the decision of the Board within 30 days after receipt of the Board’s decision to the superior court located in the county where the applicant resides or where the Board is located pursuant to NC. Gen. Stat §90-171.37B(a) and §150B-43 et al .

In order to complete the criminal history check, please follow these instructions:

All applicants must provide their fingerprints and the appropriate forms and fee to facilitate a Criminal Background Check prior to the issuance of a license.

**The Criminal Background Check is required for licensure only; it does not affect an applicant’s ability to test. To avoid delays in the issuance of a license, we recommend completing this prior to testing.