How to register for the NCLEX in New Hampshire

To work as an RN in New Hampshire you license with the Board of Nursing through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). The application fee is US$116, which includes the mandatory US$28 Professional Health Program fee; an FBI fingerprint and New Hampshire criminal record check is required and can take up to eight weeks, and the Board will not issue a temporary licence or finish the application until it has reviewed the record. A US$20 temporary licence to exam is available with the initial application. New Hampshire is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.

✓ Checked against NH BON's official pages on October 7, 2026

At a glance

BoardNew Hampshire Board of Nursing, OPLC

ExamNCLEX-RN, through Pearson VUE (US$200)

Application feeUS$116 (includes the US$28 Professional Health Program fee)

Background checkFBI fingerprints + NH criminal record check; up to 8 weeks

Temporary licenceUS$20 'temporary licence to exam', requested with the initial application (paper form)

CompactYes, since January 19, 2018

Steps Educated outside the US Documents Fees How long it takes Questions Official links

The steps, in order (graduates of a New Hampshire program)

Tick each step as you finish it; your progress is saved on this device.

7 steps

Submit the RN licence-by-examination application and US$116Apply through OPLC's Apply & Renew services. The fee includes the mandatory US$28 Professional Health Program (PHP) fee; application fees are non-refundable.OPLC: Board of Nursing licence fees →
Complete the FBI fingerprint and New Hampshire criminal record checkRequired for every initial licence. It can take up to eight weeks, and the Board cannot continue the application or issue a temporary licence until it has received, reviewed and approved the record.OPLC: RN/LPN licence by examination (PDF) →
Your program sends the transcriptOfficial evidence of graduation from an approved nursing program goes directly to the Board.
Register with Pearson VUE (US$200)The Board makes you eligible once the application is complete; Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test.Pearson VUE: NCLEX →
Optional: temporary licence to exam (US$20)May be issued to candidates seeking to take the NCLEX once all application requirements, including the criminal record review, are complete. It can only be requested together with the initial licence application, on the paper temporary licence form.OPLC: temporary licence application, RN/LPN exam (PDF) →
Write the NCLEX-RNPearson VUE requires 45 days between attempts.What to bring on exam day →
Licence issued; multistate for New Hampshire residentsNew Hampshire has issued multistate licences since 2018 to residents who meet the uniform requirements. Renewal is US$116.NCSBN: Nurse Licensure Compact →

If you were educated outside the United States

The exam is the same; the path to being allowed to write it is longer. These are the extra steps.

2 steps

Follow OPLC's foreign RN/LPN licence-by-exam processOPLC publishes a separate process and checklist for foreign-educated applicants covering credential evaluation and English proficiency.OPLC: foreign RN/LPN licence exam process (PDF) →
Application (US$116), background check, Pearson VUEPearson VUE: US$200, plus US$150 to test outside the US.Pearson VUE: NCLEX →

Documents to have ready

OPLC RN licence-by-examination application and US$116
FBI fingerprint and New Hampshire criminal record check
Official transcript from the nursing program
Pearson VUE registration (US$200)
Paper temporary licence application and US$20, if wanted, filed with the initial application
International graduates: documents per OPLC's foreign exam process

Fees

RN application (exam)includes the mandatory US$28 Professional Health Program fee; non-refundable	US$116
Temporary RN licence (to exam)	US$20
FBI and NH criminal record checkpaid to the fingerprint vendor and state	varies
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.	US$200
Renewalincludes PHP fee	US$116

How long it takes

Criminal record check: up to 8 weeks; nothing proceeds until the Board has reviewed it.
Retake after 45 days (Pearson VUE rule).

Mistakes that cost people time or money

Start the background check the day you apply; eight weeks is the Board's own estimate.
Request the US$20 temporary licence with the initial application, on paper; it cannot be added later.
The US$116 includes New Hampshire's Professional Health Program fee; it is not optional.
Living in Vermont, Maine or Massachusetts? Only Vermont and Maine are compact; apply where you actually live.

Questions people ask about New Hampshire

How do I register for the NCLEX in New Hampshire?

Apply to the Board of Nursing through OPLC (US$116), complete the FBI fingerprint and New Hampshire criminal record check, have your program send the transcript and register with Pearson VUE (US$200). The Board makes you eligible once the record check is reviewed, and Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test.

How much does a New Hampshire RN licence cost?

US$116 (including the US$28 Professional Health Program fee), the fingerprint fees, US$200 to Pearson VUE and US$20 for the optional temporary licence. Renewal is US$116.

Can I work in New Hampshire before I pass the NCLEX-RN?

Yes, on a US$20 temporary licence to exam, requested with the initial application on the paper form and issued once all requirements, including the criminal record review, are complete.

Is New Hampshire a compact state?

Yes, since January 19, 2018. New Hampshire residents meeting the uniform requirements receive a multistate licence.

Why is the New Hampshire process slow?

The FBI and state criminal record check can take up to eight weeks, and the Board will not issue a temporary licence or complete the application until it has reviewed the report.

What is the Professional Health Program fee?

A mandatory US$28 fee funding New Hampshire's Professional Health Program, collected with every RN application and renewal (it is why the fee is US$116 rather than US$88).

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on NH BON's and NCSBN's own pages on October 7, 2026; when a detail matters to you, confirm it there:

This guide explains the process; it is not legal or immigration advice. Decisions about your eligibility are made by New Hampshire Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification).

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