The NCLEX for UK nurses: where to sit it, what it costs, and what it does not do
Written and reviewed by Rachel Goldberg, MSN, RN, CEN · 3 min read · Updated November 2026
Short answer
Yes, UK nurses can take the NCLEX-RN without leaving the UK: NCSBN's October 2026 list shows eight Pearson centers there. You still need eligibility from a US state board first. Passing leads toward a US license only. The NMC's route for overseas nurses runs through its own CBT and OSCE, and the NCLEX does not replace them.
The eight UK test centers
NCSBN's quarterly international test center list, updated October 2026, names Pearson Professional Centers in Belfast, London Docklands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Horley in Surrey, Leeds, Leicester and Manchester. The list is reissued every quarter, so check the Pearson VUE locator for the current address before you book travel or a hotel.
These count as international centers for anyone seeking US licensure. That has two practical effects. NCSBN accepts only a passport book or card as ID at international centers, so a UK driving license will get you turned away. And to change an international appointment you must phone Pearson Candidate Services rather than use the website.
What it costs, and why there is no pound price
As of November 2026, NCSBN lists a $200 registration fee for candidates seeking US licensure, plus a $150 international scheduling fee and value added tax where applicable. NCSBN says neither is refunded for any reason. From February 1, 2027, the registration fee rises to $350 for any registration completed on or after that date.
NCSBN charges in US dollars, so the pound figure on your statement depends on your card's exchange rate on the day. Budget separately for the state board's own application fee and any credentials evaluation, which NCSBN does not collect. One trap: moving a booking from a UK center to a US center forfeits the international scheduling fee, while moving between two international centers does not.
The order of steps from the UK
Pick the state where you want a license and apply to that board of nursing first. Many boards want a credentials evaluation of your UK education from an agency such as CGFNS. Then register with Pearson VUE. When the board makes you eligible, Pearson emails an Authorization to Test, and only then can you book a UK seat.
Watch the clock. NCSBN says an ATT lasts about 90 days on average and its dates cannot be extended for any reason, so hold off on the international fee until your board confirms eligibility. On English, NCSBN's resource manual for boards notes that federal rules exempt nurses who graduated from a UK program from English proficiency requirements.
Is the NCLEX recognized in the UK?
Not as a route onto the NMC register. The NMC's guidance for internationally trained applicants describes a Test of Competence in two parts, a computer based test and an OSCE. Its cost page lists no route that swaps in a US license or an NCLEX pass for either part.
The NMC lists the full overseas route at 1,226 pounds after its October 1, 2026 increase: 167 for qualification evaluation, 83 for the CBT, 794 for the OSCE and 182 for registration. That is the bill a US-trained nurse faces to work in the UK. For a UK nurse, the NCLEX is a door outward, not something the NMC will count.
Sources
NCSBN: International Pearson Professional Center sites and addresses (updated October 2026). The eight UK test center cities
NCLEX: Fees and payment. $200 registration, $150 international scheduling fee plus VAT, no refunds, $350 from February 1, 2027
NCLEX: Scheduling. Phone-only changes to international appointments; fee forfeited when moving to a domestic center
NCLEX: Frequently asked questions. Passport-only ID at international centers; ATT averages 90 days and cannot be extended
NMC: How much is it going to cost? (trained outside the UK). NMC overseas route fees totaling 1,226 pounds after the October 1, 2026 increase; CBT and OSCE
Common questions
Can UK nurses take the NCLEX?
Yes. Apply to a US state board, register with Pearson VUE, wait for your Authorization to Test, then book one of the eight UK centers on NCSBN's October 2026 list. Bring your passport; it is the only ID accepted at international centers.
Is the NCLEX recognized in the UK?
The NMC does not use it. Nurses trained outside the UK, including US-licensed nurses, go through the NMC Test of Competence (CBT and OSCE). Check the NMC site for any exemption that applies to you.
How much does the NCLEX cost in pounds?
There is no official pound price. As of November 2026 NCSBN charges $200 plus a $150 international scheduling fee and any VAT, in US dollars. The registration fee becomes $350 on February 1, 2027. Your card converts at the day's rate.