How many times can you take the NCLEX?
NCSBN guidelines allow up to 8 NCLEX attempts per year, with a mandatory wait of 45 test-free days between attempts. Your state's nursing regulatory body (NRB) can set stricter limits, so the number that applies to you depends on where you apply for your license. Ask your board before you plan a retake.
In more detail
The 45 days are counted between exams, and your new Authorization to Test (ATT) shows those dates. If you missed an appointment or your ATT expired, you do not have to wait 45 days. With 45 days between sittings, roughly 8 fit into a year, so your board's rules usually matter more than the NCSBN number.
Boards add their own conditions. The West Virginia RN board, for example, requires a study plan or review course plus a remediation activity, such as 10 or more hours of tutoring or a nursing course, before it authorizes anyone to test again after 2 or more failed attempts. Other boards cap retakes per year or ask for more. Treat that as one example, not the rule.
To retake, tell your NRB that you plan to, complete what it asks for and pay its fees, then register with Pearson again. Once the board makes you eligible, you get a new ATT and can schedule. Questions about limits, resubmitting materials, background checks and fees go to your board.
NCLEX retake rules (NCSBN)
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Attempts per year (NCSBN guideline) | Up to 8 |
| Wait between attempts | 45 test-free days |
| Missed appointment or expired ATT | No 45-day wait |
| Stricter limits | Possible, set by your nursing regulatory body |
| Example of extra steps | West Virginia RN board: study plan plus remediation after 2 or more failed attempts |
Step by step
- 1
Contact your nursing regulatory body, tell it you plan to retake and ask about limits, fees and any required steps.
- 2
If you did not pass, read your Candidate Performance Report to see which areas of the test plan were weakest.
- 3
Complete what your board asks for, such as a study plan, a review course or tutoring hours.
- 4
Register with Pearson again. Once your board makes you eligible, you receive a new ATT.
- 5
Schedule your appointment inside the ATT dates, at least 45 test-free days after your last exam.
- 6
Use the wait on your weak areas with practice questions, not a full reread of everything.
How StudyPDF helps
The 45 days are best spent on the areas your report flagged. Upload your nursing course notes, review book chapters and the weak areas from your performance report to StudyPDF. It builds flashcards, practice questions and timed quizzes from them, each answer linked to the page it came from, and tracks per concept what you still miss. Set the retake date in the Plan tab to get dated sessions up to it. The free plan covers about 4 materials a week, no card needed.
See also
Do it on your own course
Upload your lectures and ask Bo. Cited answers, plus flashcards, exams, and more built from your material.
More questions
How long do you have to wait to retake the NCLEX?
You must wait 45 test-free days between exams. If you missed an exam appointment or your ATT expired, you do not have to wait 45 days.
Do I have to contact my state board before retaking the NCLEX?
Yes. NCSBN tells candidates to notify their nursing regulatory body, complete what it requires and then register with Pearson again. Questions about limits go to the board.