Applicants who have previously submitted an application and tested are considered re-examination candidates. Re-examination candidates must submit a new online application, with the required re-examination fee. Fee must be paid by credit card. If you have uploaded a photo to your account less than one year ago, you do not need to upload a new one. Photos are good for one year.
You must use the same email address associated with your first order. Creating multiple accounts will cause delays in processing.
- Expired Application (submitted initial exam application over 1 year ago) – $230.00
- Repeat tester (submitted initial exam application less than 1 year ago) – $80.00
- Please contact customerservice@pcshq.com if you are unsure of your initial application date.
STEP 1: Register online with Pearson Vue for the NCLEX or call 866-496-2539. You can register immediately for the examination, but you will not be able to take another examination until the 45 day waiting period has expired. You will also need to complete a re-exam application with PCS (see step 3). You can complete the re-exam application now.
- For questions about Pearson Vue’s testing center identification policies and/or general questions please contact Pearson Vue at 1-866-496-2539 or visit www.vue.com/NCLEX.
STEP 2: Read Good Moral Character Requirement for Licensure.
GOOD MORAL CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE
- Applicants for initial nurse licensure or initial APRN authorization by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (Board) must comply with the “good moral character” (GMC) requirement specified at Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 112, sections 74, 74A and 76. The Board requires applicants who answer “yes” to questions related to criminal or disciplinary history to provide specific documentation for GMC evaluation directly to the Board after submitting a completed application inclusive of fees to PCS.
- An applicant for employment or for housing or an occupational or professional license with a sealed record on file with the commissioner of probation may answer ‘no record’ with respect to an inquiry herein relative to prior arrests, criminal court appearances or convictions. An applicant for employment or for housing or an occupational or professional license with a sealed record on file with the commissioner of probation may answer ‘no record’ to an inquiry herein relative to prior arrests or criminal court appearances. In addition, any applicant for employment or for housing or an occupational or professional license may answer ‘no record’ with respect to any inquiry relative to prior arrests, court appearances and adjudications in all cases of delinquency or as a child in need of services which did not result in a complaint transferred to the superior court for criminal prosecution.
STEP 3: Go to Mass.gov website to Complete the online application and submit fees.
STEP 4: PCS reviews application upon receipt of all required documentation. PCS will notify applicant via email of discrepancies.
STEP 5: Applicant receives ATT via email from Pearson Vue.
STEP 6: Applicant schedules and takes NCLEX within 60 days of issuance of the Authorization to Test (ATT) letter.
Failure to take the examination within 60 days of issuance of the ATT will result in a voided ATT.
STEP 7: If you receive a passing score, you will receive a License Letter via email from PCS on behalf of the Board.
- If you do not receive a passing score, you will receive a Candidate Performance Report and NCLEX Re-examination Instructions by mail.
Additional Information:
A licensure application will remain active for one (1) year from the date of receipt by Professional Credential Services (PCS).
- If the application is not complete, including meeting all licensure requirements, and achieving a “Pass” on the NCLEX within one (1) year from the date of receipt by PCS, the applicant must complete a new Initial Licensure by Examination Application and upload a new 2×2 passport style photo in order to retake the NCLEX.
- Applicants who have an active licensure application (within 1 year of submission to PCS) and have previously failed the NCLEX, must submit a Nurse Initial Licensure by NCLEX Re-examination Application.
- The Certificate of Graduation and Official Final Transcript will be retained by PCS. You are not required to submit a new Certificate of Graduation or Transcript unless requested by the Massachusetts Board.