How to register for the NCLEX in Vermont

To work as an RN in Vermont you license with the Board of Nursing through the Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) online services. You submit the RN application by examination with the processing fee, a fingerprint-supported federal criminal background check and your transcript, choose a single-state or multistate licence, and the Board approves you to sit the NCLEX-RN, which must be passed within five years of graduation. OPR processes in about three to five business days and can issue a 90-day provisional licence while a background check is pending. Vermont joined the compact on February 1, 2022.

✓ Checked against Vermont OPR's official pages on October 7, 2026

At a glance

RegulatorVermont Board of Nursing, Office of Professional Regulation (OPR)

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

Application feenon-refundable processing fee shown in OPR Online Services

Background checkfingerprint-supported federal criminal background check

Time limitpass within five years of graduation

CompactYes, since February 1, 2022; choose multistate at application with proof of Vermont residence

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

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

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

7 steps

Complete the online RN Application by ExaminationApply through OPR Online Services and pay the non-refundable processing fee; choose a single-state or multistate licence (multistate needs proof of Vermont residency).Vermont OPR: nursing applications and renewals →
Complete the fingerprint-supported federal criminal background checkFollow OPR's instructions in the application; the check is required for every initial licence, including multistate.
Your program sends the official transcriptGraduation from an approved RN program is verified by official transcript.
Board approval to sit the NCLEX-RN, then Pearson VUE (US$200)OPR approves you to test; register with Pearson VUE and the Authorization to Test follows. OPR asks for 3 to 5 business days to process the application.Pearson VUE →
Optional: 90-day provisional licenceUnder 3 V.S.A. § 130 OPR can issue a 90-day provisional licence to applicants who have met the requirements and are waiting for the criminal background check result (or licence verification).Vermont OPR: nursing FAQs →
Pass within five years of graduationThe NCLEX-RN must be passed within five years of completing the program. Pearson VUE requires 45 days between attempts.What to bring on exam day →
Licence issued 3 to 5 business days after the pass is reportedThe exam service notifies OPR of a passing score; allow another 3 to 5 business days. Nurses moving in with a multistate licence from another compact state may practise under it while the Vermont licence is processed.Vermont OPR: 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 OPR's RN application instructions for foreign-educated applicantsCredential evaluation and English proficiency requirements are in the Board's application instructions and administrative rules.Vermont OPR: RN application instructions (PDF) →
Background check, Board approval, Pearson VUEPearson VUE: US$200, plus US$150 to test outside the US. The five-year rule applies.Pearson VUE →

Documents to have ready

OPR Online Services RN Application by Examination and processing fee
Fingerprint-supported federal criminal background check
Official transcript from an approved RN program
Proof of Vermont residency for a multistate licence
Pearson VUE registration (US$200)
International graduates: documents per OPR's RN application instructions

Fees

RN application by examination processing feenon-refundable	shown in OPR Online Services
Fingerprint-supported background checkpaid to the fingerprint vendor	varies
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.	US$200
Provisional licence90 days	per OPR fee schedule

How long it takes

OPR processing: a minimum of 3 to 5 full business days at each step.
Provisional licence: 90 days while the background check or verification is pending.
Pass within five years of graduation.
Retake after 45 days (Pearson VUE rule).

Mistakes that cost people time or money

Decide single-state or multistate before you apply; the multistate choice needs residency proof up front.
The 90-day provisional licence is for files waiting on the background check, not a general graduate permit; ask OPR if yours qualifies.
OPR is fast once complete; the slow part is usually the fingerprint result.
New Hampshire and Maine are also compact: apply where you live.

Questions people ask about Vermont

How do I register for the NCLEX in Vermont?

Complete the RN Application by Examination in OPR Online Services with the processing fee, complete the fingerprint-supported federal background check and have your program send the transcript. The Board approves you to test, you register with Pearson VUE (US$200), and the Authorization to Test follows.

How much does a Vermont RN licence cost?

OPR's non-refundable processing fee (shown at checkout), the fingerprint vendor's fee and US$200 to Pearson VUE.

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

OPR can issue a 90-day provisional licence under 3 V.S.A. § 130 to applicants who have otherwise met the requirements and are waiting for a background check result or verification; confirm with OPR whether an exam applicant qualifies.

Is Vermont a compact state?

Yes, since February 1, 2022. Choose the multistate option in your application and provide proof of Vermont residency; existing licensees add the multistate specialty in their profile.

How long do I have to pass the NCLEX-RN in Vermont?

Five years from graduation from your nursing program.

How long does OPR take?

About 3 to 5 full business days to process the application, and again after the exam service reports a passing score.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on Vermont OPR'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 Vermont Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation).

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