How to Register for the NCLEX in Pennsylvania (PA SBON): Steps, Fees, Documents

To work as an RN in Pennsylvania you license with the State Board of Nursing through PALS. The New Graduate application costs US$95 (Pennsylvania program) or US$115 (other state), needs an FBI fingerprint check through IdentoGO and three hours of child abuse recognition training, and can include a US$70 Graduate Nurse Temporary Practice Permit valid up to a year. Pennsylvania joined the Nurse Licensure Compact on July 7, 2025.

At a glance

The steps, in order (graduates of a Pennsylvania program)

8 steps

Create a PALS account and open the New Graduate applicationThe New Graduate application is for nurses applying for the NCLEX and/or the Graduate Nurse Temporary Practice Permit. Choose single-state (US$95 for a Pennsylvania program, US$115 for another state's program) or multistate if Pennsylvania is your primary state of residence (US$135 / US$230; US$250 for a foreign program).PALS →
Pre-register with IdentoGO for the FBI fingerprint checkEvery new applicant submits a fingerprint-based FBI background check. Use the service code shown in your PALS application when you book with IdentoGO; multistate applicants also need a criminal background check from their state of residence.IdentoGO →
Complete three hours of child abuse recognition and reporting trainingAct 31 requires three hours of Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting education for every initial licence; upload the certificate.Pennsylvania: Act 31 child abuse training →
Your program verifies your graduationPennsylvania programs confirm completion to the Board electronically; graduates of other states have official transcripts sent directly.
Register with Pearson VUE (US$200)Register for the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE; the Board sends your eligibility to Pearson VUE once your file is complete and the Authorization to Test follows by email.Pearson VUE: NCLEX →
Optional: Graduate Nurse Temporary Practice Permit (US$70)Request it with the application. The Board issues it as soon as PALS has the completed application, the US$70 permit fee plus the US$95 licence fee, and the education verification from your Pennsylvania program. It is valid up to one year, requires a licensed RN physically present on the unit, and expires immediately if you fail the NCLEX.49 Pa. Code § 21.7 Temporary practice permits →
Write the NCLEX-RN; re-examination costs US$75Pearson VUE requires 45 days between attempts; each retake needs a US$75 re-examination application and a new Pearson VUE fee. Permit extensions exist only for illness or extreme hardship (US$85, requested at least 60 days before expiry, with the licence application filed 90 days before).What to bring on exam day →
Licence issued; renew every two yearsAfter the pass the Board issues your licence; biennial renewal is US$122. Existing single-state licences can be converted to multistate for US$105 if Pennsylvania is your primary state of residence.Pennsylvania: 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.

4 steps

Have a Board-approved foreign credentials evaluator assess your programThe Board bases equivalency of an international nursing program on an evaluation by one of its approved foreign credentials evaluators (list on the Board's General Board Information page). Start early; this is the slow part.Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing →
Apply in PALSLicensure by examination for an out-of-state program is US$115 single-state or US$250 for a multistate licence with a foreign program. Transcripts must be in English.PALS →
FBI fingerprints, child abuse training, English proficiency where requiredThe IdentoGO FBI check and the three-hour Act 31 course apply to every applicant; the multistate licence also requires an English proficiency exam if your program was not taught in English.IdentoGO →
Register with Pearson VUE and write the NCLEX-RNUS$200, plus US$150 to test outside the US. The Board sends eligibility to Pearson VUE when your file is complete; nurses already licensed in another US state or Canada may qualify for a Temporary Practice Permit while the file is processed.Pearson VUE: NCLEX →

Documents to have ready

Fees

How long it takes

Questions people ask about Pennsylvania

How do I register for the NCLEX in Pennsylvania?

Create a PALS account, submit the New Graduate application (US$95 for a Pennsylvania program, US$115 for another state), book your FBI fingerprints through IdentoGO with the PALS service code, upload your three-hour Act 31 child abuse certificate and register with Pearson VUE (US$200). When your program's verification arrives the Board sends eligibility to Pearson VUE and the ATT follows.

How much does a Pennsylvania RN licence cost?

US$95 or US$115 for a single-state licence by examination (US$135 to US$250 for a multistate licence), US$200 to Pearson VUE, the IdentoGO fingerprint fee, optionally US$70 for the Temporary Practice Permit, and US$122 to renew every two years.

Can I work in Pennsylvania before I pass the NCLEX-RN?

Yes, on a Graduate Nurse Temporary Practice Permit (US$70) issued once PALS has your application, fees and your Pennsylvania program's verification. It lasts up to one year, requires a licensed RN physically present on your unit, and expires immediately if you fail the exam.

Is Pennsylvania a compact state?

Yes. Pennsylvania fully implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on July 7, 2025. New graduates whose primary state of residence is Pennsylvania can apply for a multistate licence by examination (US$135 for a Pennsylvania program); existing single-state licences convert for US$105.

What is the Act 31 requirement?

Three hours of Board-approved training in recognizing and reporting child abuse, required for every initial Pennsylvania nursing licence.

Can my Temporary Practice Permit be extended?

Only for illness or extreme hardship: file your licence application at least 90 days before the permit expires and the extension application (US$85) at least 60 days before, with a written explanation and, for illness, a provider's certification.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on PA SBON'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 Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

Licensure by examination, Pennsylvania program graduatesingle-state	US$95
Licensure by examination, out-of-state program graduatesingle-state	US$115
Initial multistate licence by examinationPennsylvania program / out-of-state program / foreign program	US$135 / US$230 / US$250
Graduate Nurse Temporary Practice Permitextension US$85, illness or extreme hardship only	US$70
Re-examinationeach retake, plus Pearson VUE again	US$75
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.	US$200
Biennial renewal	US$122
Convert a single-state licence to multistate	US$105

How to register for the NCLEX in Pennsylvania