New Jersey NCLEX application: requirements, fees, timeline and results
Written and reviewed by Rachel Goldberg, MSN, RN, CEN · 5 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 New Jersey, file the online RN and LPN Candidate application with the New Jersey Board of Nursing through MyLicense, then register separately with Pearson VUE. The board's posted timeline estimates about 2 to 3 weeks for the first review, 4 to 6 weeks once your background check is back, and 3 to 4 weeks for the final review.
One Candidate application for exam and endorsement
New Jersey no longer has separate examination and endorsement forms. The Board of Nursing's applications page says both were combined into one Candidate application, used by anyone seeking a New Jersey RN or LPN license who has never been licensed or is licensed in another state. New graduates taking the NCLEX file this same application on MyLicense.
The board issues a multistate compact license if you meet the compact requirements and a single-state New Jersey license if you do not. Its list of multistate requirements includes passing the NCLEX, state and federal fingerprint-based background checks, and a valid United States Social Security number, so candidates without one should expect a single-state license.
Pay attention to the payment step. The Division of Consumer Affairs' tips for applicants say the online form asks for the application fee at the end and is not submitted until you pay it. Any additional fees are invoiced to your MyLicense account. The board's applications page does not publish the fee amount, so check the figure shown at checkout.
What the NCLEX costs in New Jersey
There is no New Jersey price for the exam itself. The NCLEX registration fee is set nationally by NCSBN and paid to Pearson VUE: $200 in the United States as of November 2026. NCSBN has announced that the fee rises to $350 effective February 1, 2027, and it does not refund registration fees for any reason, including duplicate registrations or a missed appointment.
Your total therefore has three parts: the board's Candidate application fee shown in MyLicense, the Pearson VUE registration, and the fingerprinting vendor's charge. If you expect to register around the start of February 2027, read NCSBN's fee page first so you know which fee will apply to your registration and can budget for the higher figure.
The board's three-phase timeline
| Phase | What happens | Current average |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I | First review; the board emails a deficiency letter and fingerprint instructions | About 2 to 3 weeks |
| Phase II | Review of documents sent in reply, starting when background results arrive | About 4 to 6 weeks |
| Phase III | Final review once everything is in; multistate review can add 1 to 2 weeks | About 3 to 4 weeks |
| After approval | License number issued; hard copy license mailed | 10 to 15 business days for the mailed copy |
Phase II depends on you. The board says its estimate assumes you act immediately on deficiency notices, and it warns that some of its emails come from a no-reply address that can land in spam or junk folders. Check those folders daily while your application is open so a missed message does not add weeks.
Background checks run outside the board's control. Results reach the board about 1 to 3 weeks after your fingerprint appointment and cannot be expedited. The tips sheet notes there are 17 fingerprinting locations in New Jersey and suggests booking the next available slot anywhere in the state rather than waiting for the one nearest home.
When the ATT arrives and where you test
New Jersey does not publish a separate turnaround for the Authorization to Test. Under NCSBN's process, Pearson VUE emails the ATT after the board makes you eligible, which in New Jersey follows the board's review. Register with Pearson VUE early, because your eligibility cannot be matched to a registration that does not exist yet.
The ATT's validity period is set by the board, averages 90 days nationally, and cannot be extended, according to the 2026 Candidate Bulletin. First-time candidates are offered an appointment within 30 days of trying to schedule. You choose a Pearson VUE test center when you book; the board's site does not list New Jersey centers.
Results, retakes and the 30-hour rule
Official results come from the board, within six weeks according to NCSBN, and unofficial Quick Results can be bought two business days after the exam. Once the board approves your license, your license number appears on New Jersey's license verification site at newjersey.mylicense.com, which is the quickest place to confirm a pass.
If you fail, New Jersey uses a separate paper re-examination application. Under N.J.A.C. 13:37-2.1(b), anyone who fails three consecutive licensing exams must send the board proof of a completed 30-hour remediation course taught by a qualified instructor before taking a fourth exam. The board posts a list of remediation course options on its site.
Sources
New Jersey Board of Nursing: Applications and Forms. Combined Candidate application, multistate vs single-state license, multistate requirements incl. SSN, paper re-exam application, N.J.A.C. 13:37-2.1(b) 30-hour remediation rule
New Jersey Board of Nursing: LPN/RN Candidate Application Phases and Timelines (PDF). Phase I-III average timeframes, background check 1-3 weeks, no-reply emails, multistate review, mailed license in 10-15 business days, verification site
NJ Division of Consumer Affairs: Top Tips for License Applicants (PDF). Fee paid at end of online application, invoices via MyLicense, 17 fingerprinting locations
NCLEX fees and payment (NCSBN). $200 US registration fee, $350 effective February 1, 2027, no refunds
2026 NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin (NCSBN). ATT emailed after eligibility, ATT validity set by board averaging 90 days and not extendable, 30-day first appointment, results within six weeks, Quick Results
Common questions
How do I check New Jersey NCLEX results?
Search your name on the board's license verification site, newjersey.mylicense.com/verification, where your license number appears once the board approves your license. Quick Results from Pearson VUE give an unofficial answer two business days after the exam, and official results come from the board.
How long does New Jersey take to issue the ATT?
The board does not publish an ATT-specific time. Pearson VUE emails the ATT once the board makes you eligible, and the board's own estimates run about 2 to 3 weeks for Phase I, 4 to 6 weeks for Phase II and 3 to 4 weeks for Phase III, depending on how fast you clear deficiencies.
Do I need a Social Security number to apply in New Jersey?
For a multistate license, yes: the board lists a valid United States Social Security number among the compact requirements. Without one, the board says a single-state New Jersey license may be issued if you meet the other requirements. Ask the board about your case before applying.