In New York, RN licences come from the State Education Department's Office of the Professions, not a board of nursing. You apply and pay US$143, your school sends Form 2, you complete the State's infection control and child abuse identification coursework, and NYSED tells Pearson VUE you may test. A limited permit (US$35) lets a graduate nurse work for up to a year before the exam result. New York is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact.
✓ Checked against NYSED's official pages on October 7, 2026
At a glance
RegulatorNew York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the Professions
ExamNCLEX-RN, through Pearson VUE (US$200)
Application feeUS$143 (licence and first registration)
Also requiredNYSED-approved infection control coursework and child abuse identification coursework
Limited permitUS$35, up to one year, not available if you have ever taken the NCLEX-RN
CompactNo: New York issues single-state licences only
The steps, in order (graduates of a New York program)
Tick each step as you finish it; your progress is saved on this device.
8 steps
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.
4 steps
Documents to have ready
Form 1 Application for Licensure and First Registration with the US$143 fee
Form 2 Certification of Professional Education sent by your nursing program
Certificates of completion for NYSED-approved infection control coursework and child abuse identification coursework (or exemption requests)
Pearson VUE registration (US$200)
Limited permit application and employer information, if you want to work before the result
International graduates: education verification under Pathway 5 as NYSED directs
Fees
Application for licensure and first registrationpaid to NYSED online or by cheque/money order
US$143
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.
US$200
Limited permit (optional)up to one year; not available once you have taken the NCLEX-RN
US$35
Infection control and child abuse courseworkpaid to the approved provider
varies
Registration renewalevery three years
set by NYSED
How long it takes
Registration certificate: valid for three years from issue.
Limited permit: up to one year, or until 10 days after notice of a failed NCLEX-RN.
Infection control coursework repeats every four years.
Retake after 45 days (Pearson VUE rule); the ATT is valid about 90 days.
Mistakes that cost people time or money
Do the infection control and child abuse courses before graduation; they are cheap, online and hold up many files.
Decide about the limited permit before you test: once you have taken the NCLEX-RN you can no longer get one.
NYSED, not a board, licenses nurses here; use the Office of the Professions contact form for status questions.
New York is not in the compact: if you expect to work in New Jersey or Connecticut too, those states will need their own licences by endorsement.
Questions people ask about New York
How do I register for the NCLEX in New York?
Apply to the New York State Education Department with Form 1 and the US$143 fee, have your school send Form 2, complete the State's infection control and child abuse identification coursework, and register with Pearson VUE (US$200). NYSED tells Pearson VUE you are eligible and the Authorization to Test is emailed.
How much does a New York RN licence cost?
US$143 to NYSED for the licence and first three-year registration, US$200 to Pearson VUE, the coursework providers' fees and US$35 if you want a limited permit.
Can I work in New York before I pass the NCLEX-RN?
Yes, on a limited permit (US$35) if you have never taken the NCLEX-RN. It is valid for up to one year or until 10 days after you are told you failed.
Is New York a compact state?
No. New York issues single-state licences only; a multistate licence from another state does not allow practice in New York without a New York licence by endorsement.
What are the New York infection control and child abuse requirements?
NYSED-approved infection control and barrier precautions coursework (repeated every four years) and a two-hour child abuse identification and reporting course, each with narrow exemptions, are required before licensure.
Does New York require fingerprints for an RN licence?
NYSED's RN licence requirements rely on moral character questions on the application rather than a fingerprint background check; answer them truthfully, as a 'yes' is reviewed case by case rather than automatically disqualifying.
Official links and sources
Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on NYSED'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 York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.
While your application is processed, start studying
10 free NCLEX questions in your account, a case study, a video and a cheat sheet. Then 3,200+ questions, the video course and unlimited adaptive readiness exams on one payment.