How to register for the NCLEX in Rhode Island

To work as an RN in Rhode Island you license with the Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education through the Department of Health's online licensing portal. The examination application costs US$135, you complete a fingerprint-based national criminal records check through the Attorney General's BCI unit, and your program sends official transcripts directly. State law lets new graduates practise before results for up to 90 days from the application fee receipt, and the Board must act on an application within 90 days. Rhode Island implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on January 8, 2024. The Department's website blocked our checks on October 7, 2026, so this page is built from the state's rules and statutes; confirm details with the Department.

✓ Checked against RIDOH Nursing's official pages on October 7, 2026

At a glance

RegulatorBoard of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education, Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)

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

Application feeUS$135 (same for each re-examination)

Background checkfingerprint-based national criminal records check via the Attorney General's BCI; applicant pays

Graduate practiceallowed by statute for up to 90 days from the application fee receipt, before results

CompactYes, since January 8, 2024

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

The steps, in order (graduates of a Rhode Island program)

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

7 steps

Apply online through RIDOH's licensing portal (US$135)The RN initial application by examination fee is US$135, non-refundable, and is paid again for each re-examination. Rule 216-RICR-40-05-3 also asks for proof of high-school education and a 2x3-inch photograph.216-RICR-10-05-2: fee schedule (RI Secretary of State) →
Complete the fingerprint-based national criminal records checkR.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-43 requires every applicant to apply to the Bureau of Criminal Identification for a national check with fingerprints sent to the FBI; the applicant pays. Out-of-state applicants mail fingerprint cards to BCI.R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-43: criminal records review →
Your school sends official transcriptsTranscripts showing completion of a Board-approved program go directly from the school to the Department.216-RICR-40-05-3: licensing of nurses (RI Secretary of State) →
Register with Pearson VUE (US$200)The Board makes you eligible and Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test (about 90 days).NCSBN: NCLEX FAQs →
Graduate practice before resultsUnder § 5-34-31(2) graduates of approved programs may practise before receiving NCLEX results provided they are licensed within 90 days of the date on the Department's application fee receipt. Secondary sources describe this as supervised graduate-nurse practice; confirm the conditions with the Department and your employer.R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-31: exemptions →
Write the NCLEX-RNRhode Island sets no attempt limit beyond the NCSBN rules (45 days between attempts); each re-examination needs the US$135 fee again.What to bring on exam day →
Licence issued; renew by March 1 of every other yearThe Board must act on an application within 90 days. Licences expire March 1 in alternate years; 10 continuing-education hours per period. Rhode Island residents may request the multistate licence.R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-11: licensure by examination →

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

Credentials evaluation by a Board-approved agencyThe rule requires a credentials evaluation by a Board-approved agency, a passed NCLEX and a Board-approved English proficiency examination; it names no agency or scores. Secondary sources name TruMerit (CGFNS). Confirm with the Department.216-RICR-40-05-3: licensing of nurses →
Application (US$135), BCI check, Pearson VUEPearson VUE: US$200, plus US$150 to test outside the US.NCSBN: NCLEX fees and payment →

Documents to have ready

RIDOH online RN application by examination and US$135
Fingerprint-based national criminal records check through the Attorney General's BCI
Official transcripts sent directly by the nursing program
Proof of high-school education and a 2x3-inch photograph (per rule)
Pearson VUE registration (US$200)
International graduates: credentials evaluation from a Board-approved agency, English proficiency examination

Fees

Initial application by examinationnon-refundable; paid again for each re-examination	US$135
BCI fingerprint background checksecondary sources; paid to the Attorney General's office	about US$35
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.	US$200

How long it takes

Board must act on an application within 90 days (statute).
Graduate practice: up to 90 days from the application fee receipt.
ATT about 90 days; retake after 45 days.
Licences expire March 1 of every other year.

Mistakes that cost people time or money

Keep the application fee receipt: the 90-day graduate-practice window runs from its date.
Start the BCI fingerprint check as soon as you apply; it is the slowest step.
Massachusetts next door has no compact yet; a Rhode Island multistate licence covers the other compact states, not MA.
The Department's site was unreachable to our checks; call RIDOH if any figure here matters to your plan.

Questions people ask about Rhode Island

How do I register for the NCLEX in Rhode Island?

Apply online through the Department of Health's licensing portal (US$135), complete the fingerprint-based BCI/FBI records check, have your program send official transcripts, and register with Pearson VUE (US$200). When the Board makes you eligible, Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test.

How much does a Rhode Island RN licence cost?

US$135 to the Department of Health (and US$135 again for any re-examination), about US$35 for the BCI check and US$200 to Pearson VUE.

Can I work in Rhode Island before I pass the NCLEX-RN?

State law exempts graduates of approved programs from the licence requirement before they receive NCLEX results, provided they are licensed within 90 days of the date on the application fee receipt. Confirm the supervision conditions with the Department and your employer.

Is Rhode Island a compact state?

Yes. The compact was enacted in June 2023 and implemented on January 8, 2024; Rhode Island residents who meet the uniform requirements can hold a multistate licence.

How long does Rhode Island take to issue the licence?

The Board is required by statute to act on each application within 90 days of submission; secondary sources report four to eight weeks in practice.

Why is the Department of Health website not cited directly on this page?

health.ri.gov blocked our automated checks on October 7, 2026, so this page relies on the Rhode Island rules and statutes, NCSBN and the fee regulation. The facts are the same ones the Department applies, but confirm current amounts and forms with RIDOH.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on RIDOH Nursing'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 Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education (Department of Health).

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