Exams / NCLEX / How many times can you take the NCLEX?

How many times can you take the NCLEX?

NCSBN’s retake policy allows up to 8 NCLEX attempts a year, with at least 45 days between attempts. Some nursing boards set a longer wait or fewer attempts, so check your state board’s rules.

Checked against the sources on October 15, 2026.

Plenty of nurses take the NCLEX more than once. Here are the rules that apply after an attempt that doesn’t pass.

Rule What NCSBN says
Wait between attempts At least 45 days
Attempts per year Up to 8
Stricter state rules Some nursing boards require a longer wait or allow fewer attempts

Each attempt is a new registration with Pearson VUE, so you pay the registration fee again. See how much the NCLEX costs.

Using your results report

If you don’t pass, you receive a Candidate Performance Report that shows how you did in each content area. That report is the best guide to what to study before your next attempt.

Sources

  1. NCSBN, Results. 45-day retake policy, stricter limits in some jurisdictions, official results from the board within six weeks. Checked October 15, 2026.
  2. NCSBN, 2026 NCLEX candidate bulletin. Up to eight attempts a year with at least 45 days between them. Checked October 15, 2026.
  3. NCSBN, Fees and payment. Registration fee, which also applies to each retake. Checked October 15, 2026.

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More about the NCLEX

How much does the NCLEX cost?

NCLEX registration costs $200 in the United States. NCSBN is raising it to $350 for registrations made on or after February 1, 2027, and the date you register sets the fee, not the date you test.

What is the NCLEX passing score?

The NCLEX has no passing score as a percentage. You pass by performing at or above NCSBN’s passing standard, which the adaptive test measures as it goes and checks with three rules.

How many questions are on the NCLEX?

The NCLEX has between 85 and 150 questions. It’s a computerized adaptive test, so it stops as soon as the computer is 95% sure your ability is clearly above or below the passing standard.

NCLEX practice test

We’re planning NCLEX practice with case studies like the real exam, and a registered nurse will check every question before it goes live. Join the waitlist to tell us you want it.