To work as an RN in Texas you license with the Texas Board of Nursing through the Texas Nurse Portal. Four things must be on file before the Board reviews you for the NCLEX: the application, DPS/FBI fingerprints, your Pearson VUE registration and a passed Nursing Jurisprudence Exam, plus your school's Affidavit of Graduation. The Board reviews within 15 business days, the ATT and an optional Graduate Nurse permit follow, both valid 75 days. Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
✓ Checked against Texas BON's official pages on October 7, 2026
At a glance
BoardTexas Board of Nursing (BON)
ExamNCLEX-RN, through Pearson VUE (US$200)
CompactYes: a multistate licence if Texas is your primary state of residence
Also requiredNursing Jurisprudence Exam (2 hours, online), DPS/FBI fingerprint background check, Affidavit of Graduation
Graduate Nurse permitposted with the ATT, valid 75 days, cannot be extended
The steps, in order (graduates of a Texas 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.
6 steps
Documents to have ready
Texas Nurse Portal examination application and fee
DPS/FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check (results sent by the agencies)
Pearson VUE registration confirmation (US$200)
Passed Nursing Jurisprudence Exam
Affidavit of Graduation sent by your dean or director (electronic for Texas programs, sealed paper form for other states)
Sworn Declaration of Primary State of Residence for a multistate licence
International graduates: CES report, English proficiency scores if applicable, verification of licensure from every jurisdiction (valid one year)
Fees
Examination application (Texas BON)per the Board's Schedule of Fees (rule 223.1); the Nurse Portal shows the amount due
US$50
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.
US$200
Fingerprint background checkpaid to the fingerprint vendor; set by DPS/FBI
varies
Nursing Jurisprudence Examset by Board rule
up to US$25
Graduate Nurse permitposted automatically if eligible
no separate fee listed
Licence renewal (RN)every two years
US$68
Endorsement from another statefor nurses already licensed elsewhere
US$125
How long it takes
Register with Pearson VUE at least 30 days before graduation.
Board review for the ATT: within 15 business days of the last item received.
ATT email: within 5 business days of the Eligible status; GN permit posted within 5 business days of the ATT.
ATT and GN permit: valid 75 days, no extensions.
Results: 24 to 48 hours after the exam; permanent licence within 15 business days of a pass.
Retakes: within four years of graduation (U.S. graduates) or of the first Texas ATT (international).
Mistakes that cost people time or money
Do the jurisprudence exam while you wait for your transcript: nothing moves until it is passed.
Seventy-five days goes fast; book your NCLEX date the day the ATT arrives.
If you live outside Texas, you will get a single-state Texas licence; the multistate licence follows your primary state of residence, not your school.
Ask your program when it submits the Affidavit of Graduation; it is usually the last item and starts the 15-day clock.
Questions people ask about Texas
How do I register for the NCLEX in Texas?
Apply in the Texas Nurse Portal, submit DPS/FBI fingerprints, register with Pearson VUE (US$200), pass the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam and have your dean send the Affidavit of Graduation. The Board reviews within 15 business days, marks you Eligible, and Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test within 5 business days; it is valid 75 days.
How much does it cost to get a Texas RN licence?
The Board's examination fee (US$50 on its schedule of fees), US$200 to Pearson VUE, the fingerprint vendor's charge and the jurisprudence exam (up to US$25). Renewal is US$68 every two years.
Can I work in Texas before I pass the NCLEX-RN?
Yes, on a Graduate Nurse (GN) permit posted in your Nurse Portal within 5 business days of your ATT. It is valid 75 days, the same window as the ATT, and cannot be extended.
Is Texas a compact state?
Yes, since January 19, 2018. If Texas is your primary state of residence and you meet the eleven uniform licensure requirements, your Texas licence is a multistate licence valid in every other compact state. Nurses who live elsewhere receive a single-state Texas licence.
How many times can I take the NCLEX-RN in Texas?
Texas sets no attempt limit, but every retake must be within four years of your graduation date; after that you must complete a new nursing program. Pearson VUE requires 45 days between attempts.
What is the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam?
A two-hour online exam on the Texas Nursing Practice Act and Board rules, required of every NCLEX applicant since September 2008 before an ATT is issued. You register on the Board's website; the fee is capped by rule at US$25.
Official links and sources
Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on Texas 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 Texas Board of Nursing.
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