Nursing License Cost by State
An RN license costs $282 to $575 in initial fees depending on the state, with a median of $355. The table below lists total initial fees for all seven nursing credentials in every state, from each board's published fee schedule.
Cheapest and most expensive state for each license
| License | Median fees | Cheapest | Most expensive | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | $173 | Missouri $134 | California $269 | Cheapest CNA states → |
| RN | $355 | Georgia $282 | Alaska $575 | Cheapest RN states → |
| LVN | $350 | Indiana $270 | Alaska $575 | Cheapest LVN states → |
| NP | $100 | South Carolina $40 | California $500 | Cheapest NP states → |
| CNM | $100 | South Carolina $40 | California $500 | Cheapest CNM states → |
| CRNA | $100 | South Carolina $40 | California $500 | Cheapest CRNA states → |
| CNS | $100 | South Carolina $40 | California $500 | Cheapest CNS states → |
Total initial licensing fees, all 50 states
Each figure is the state board's application fee plus exam registration and fingerprinting where the state requires it. Click a state to open its full guide for that license. A dash means the state has not published a total for that credential.
Source: each state board of nursing's published fee schedule, as recorded in this site's state data files. Fees change; confirm on the board site before paying.
Nursing license cost FAQs
How much does a nursing license cost?
Initial RN licensing fees run from $282 in Georgia to $575 in Alaska, with a median of $355. That total covers the board application, the exam registration, and fingerprinting where required. NCLEX registration itself is $200 nationally and is included in these totals when the state reports it.
Which nursing license is the most expensive to get?
Advanced practice licenses (NP, CRNA, CNM, CNS) usually cost more than an RN license because the state charges a separate APRN application on top of the RN license you must already hold, and national certification exams add several hundred dollars that are not part of state fees.
Are renewal fees included in these totals?
No. These are one-time initial licensing costs. Renewal fees and continuing education costs recur every one to three years and are listed on each state guide linked from the table.
Rank states by cost, speed, or salary
Per-credential rankings for every license type.
All rankings →