Florida Board of Nursing NCLEX application: the steps, the fees and the retake rule
Written and reviewed by Rachel Goldberg, MSN, RN, CEN · 4 min read · Updated November 2026
Checked against official sources: November 2026
Rules, fees and deadlines differ by state and change without notice. Check with your state board of nursing before you rely on them.
Short answer
To take the NCLEX in Florida, apply to the Florida Board of Nursing through the MQA Online Services Portal, pay the board's $110 exam application fee, get Livescan fingerprints under ORI EDOH4420Z, have your school send proof of graduation, and register with Pearson VUE for $200. Once the board finds you eligible, Pearson VUE issues your Authorization to Test.
The order Florida asks you to follow
The board's applicant guide (updated July 2026) asks RN and LPN candidates to complete four steps in a set order, and says following that sequence helps the application arrive complete.
| Step | What you do | Detail from the board |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Proof of education | Your program sends it after you graduate | Florida schools submit electronically; out-of-state graduates ask the school for an official transcript; the board will not accept transcripts sent by students |
| 2. Level 2 background screening | Book a Livescan appointment with an FDLE-approved provider | Use ORI EDOH4420Z and keep the Transaction Control Number (TCN) to track it |
| 3. Online application and fees | Apply in the MQA Online Services Portal | Submit only after steps 1 and 2 |
| 4. Supporting documents | Court records or letters, only if you answered yes to a screening question | Expect extra review time |
Two details trip people up. Do not ask for a transcript before your degree posts, because the board says early transcripts will not be accepted. And the ORI matters: the guide tells you to use EDOH4420Z at your appointment, so confirm it with the provider before you are printed.
Graduates of non-NCSBN or international programs need a credentials evaluation and proof of English competency. RN students who have finished the LPN-equivalent coursework can apply for the NCLEX-PN through the Practical Nursing Equivalency (PNEQ) option with extra documents. The board's home page also says that from July 1, 2027, exam applicants must complete a 2-hour human trafficking course.
Florida NCLEX fees as of November 2026
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Initial examination application | $110 | Florida Board of Nursing |
| Re-examination application | $50 | Florida Board of Nursing |
| NCLEX registration | $200 | Pearson VUE |
| Livescan fingerprinting | Varies by provider | Livescan provider |
A first attempt therefore costs $310 plus fingerprinting. NCSBN's fees page says the $200 Pearson VUE fee rises to $350 on February 1, 2027. NCSBN states that the $200 Pearson VUE fee is never refunded, including for a duplicate registration or a missed appointment, and that switching to a different board after registering costs another $50. Pick Florida deliberately before you pay.
How long approval takes and when the ATT arrives
Florida law requires the board to review an initial application within 30 days, and documents sent after that first review are processed within 14 business days of receipt. Your status, including missing items, shows in the MQA portal under Status of Application.
After the board finds you eligible, Pearson VUE issues your Authorization to Test so you can book a seat; the board's pages do not describe the hand-off in more detail. The board's site does not publish how long the ATT stays valid, so read the validity dates printed on the ATT itself and schedule inside that window.
Results and getting the license
NCSBN says official results come only from your board and reach candidates within six weeks. Pearson VUE also offers unofficial Quick Results two business days after the exam, but only if the board takes part; the Florida board's pages do not say whether it does, so check the Pearson VUE candidate site.
The board licenses you once you pass and meet every other requirement. To confirm it, use the Verify a License link on the board's home page.
Retakes and the three-failure rule
Each retake means a new $50 re-examination application to the board plus a new $200 Pearson VUE registration. Section 464.008(3), Florida Statutes, adds a hard stop: after three consecutive failures you must finish a board-approved remedial course before you can test again.
The board lists the course as 80 classroom hours and 96 clinical hours, and you must apply to retest within six months of completing it. After the remedial course you get up to three more attempts. The approved providers are listed on the board's remedial courses page.
Sources
Nursing (RN and LPN) licensure by examination, Florida Board of Nursing. $110 exam and $50 re-exam fees, 7-step process, 30-day review rule, 14 business days for documents, s. 464.008(3) remedial course (80 classroom and 96 clinical hours), six-month reapply window, PNEQ option
Applicant Guide: Required Information for Florida Nursing Licensure by Exam (July 2026). Order of steps, ORI EDOH4420Z, school-sent proof of graduation, no transcripts before graduation
Florida Board of Nursing home page. From July 1, 2027, exam applications require the 2-hour human trafficking course; Verify a License link
NCLEX Fees and Payment (NCSBN). $200 NCLEX registration fee for US candidates, $50 change-of-board fee, no refunds of registration fees
NCLEX Results (NCSBN). Official results come only from the board, within six weeks; unofficial Quick Results two business days after the exam where the board participates
Common questions
How do I apply for the NCLEX in Florida?
Have your school send proof of graduation, complete Livescan fingerprints under ORI EDOH4420Z, then apply and pay $110 in the MQA Online Services Portal. Register separately with Pearson VUE ($200). Once the board finds you eligible, Pearson VUE issues your ATT.
How long does Florida take to issue the ATT?
Florida law gives the board 30 days to review an initial application and 14 business days for documents sent after that. Once approved, Pearson VUE emails the ATT. Missing transcripts or screening documents are the usual cause of delay.
How do I check Florida NCLEX results?
Official results come from the board, within six weeks per NCSBN. If you pass, your license appears in the Department of Health Verify a License search once issued. Unofficial Quick Results are available only where the board participates.