Nursing Certification Exams by Role
Which exam each nursing role takes, who runs it, what it costs, how often you renew, and whether passing it leads to a state license or a certification you hold on top of one.
Sources checked October 13, 2026.
Key points
- The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN are licensure exams. Passing one is a step toward a state RN or LPN/LVN license. The U.S. registration fee is $200, and NCLEX.com says it will be $350 from February 1, 2027. (NCLEX.com)
- NPs, CRNAs, CNMs, and CNSs certify first, then get licensed. Nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Under the APRN Consensus Model, state boards license APRNs on the basis of graduate education and national certification in the role. Each state decides how far it has adopted the model, so recognition rules vary. (APRN Consensus Model)
- CNL, CNE, CNE®cl, and SANE are certifications, not licenses. You keep practicing on your RN license. See the CNL guide and the nurse educator guide.
- CNAs are listed on a state registry. CNAs are certified and listed on a state nurse aide registry, not licensed like RNs or LPNs. Each state chooses its exam and testing vendor.
- The most expensive exam here is the National Certification Examination (NCE) for Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), at $1,310.
Exams by role
Fees are the standard initial exam fee unless a member rate is shown. Renewal is the certification period set by the certifying body.
| Role | Exam | Certifying body | Credential | Fee | Renewal | State license? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | NCLEX-RN | NCSBN | RN | $200 (U.S.); $350 from February 1, 2027 | License renewal set by your state board | Yes: state RN license |
| LPN / LVN | NCLEX-PN | NCSBN | LPN / LVN | $200 (U.S.); $350 from February 1, 2027 | License renewal set by your state board | Yes: state LPN/LVN license |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | State competency exam (many states use NNAAP) | Your state, NNAAP (NCSBN) | CNA | Varies by state and testing vendor | Set by your state registry | No: state registry listing |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Population-focus NP exam (e.g. family, adult-gerontology, psychiatric) | ANCC , AANPCB , PNCB , NCC , AACN , Compare NP boards | FNP-BC, FNP-C, and others by focus | $315–$407 non-member, by board and exam | 1–5 years, by board | Yes: APRN license; certification comes first |
| Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | National Certification Examination (NCE) | NBCRNA | CRNA | $1,310 | 4 years | Yes: APRN license; certification comes first |
| Nurse-Midwife (CNM) | AMCB Certification Examination in Nurse-Midwifery and Midwifery | AMCB | CNM | $425 | 5 years | Yes: APRN license; certification comes first |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | CNS exam by population (e.g. adult-gerontology) | ANCC , AACN | AGCNS-BC, ACCNS-AG, ACCNS-P, ACCNS-N | ACCNS-AG $385 ($275 AACN member); ANCC prices per exam | 5 years | Yes: APRN license; certification comes first |
| Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) | CNL Certification Examination | AACN (Colleges) CNC | CNL | $425 | 5 years | No: certification held on your RN license |
| Nurse Educator | CNE or CNE®cl exam | NLN | CNE, CNE®cl | CNE $525 ($425 NLN member); CNE®cl $450 ($350 NLN member) | 5 years | No: certification held on your RN license |
| Forensic Nurse (SANE) | SANE-A or SANE-P (renewal only) | ANCC | SANE-A, SANE-P | See ANCC | 5 years | No: certification held on your RN license |
- NP fee range: the lowest and highest non-member initial fee each NP board publishes in our data. ANCC prices each exam separately; the figure used is its FNP-BC fee. Compare the two largest NP boards in ANCC vs AANP.
- CNC is part of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (not the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses).
- SANE: ANCC took over SANE-A and SANE-P in 2026, ahead of the dissolution of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). ANCC offers SANE-A and SANE-P for renewal only, so there is no initial exam fee. ANCC says it is exploring re-introducing initial SANE exams. See ANCC.
License vs. certification
A license is issued by a state board of nursing and is what lets you practice. A certification is issued by a national body and shows you passed its exam and meet its renewal rules.
For RNs and LPNs, the NCLEX is one step toward the state license. For the four APRN roles, national certification is a prerequisite for the state APRN license. For CNLs, nurse educators, and forensic nurses, the certification sits on top of the RN license you already hold.
Before choosing a program, check that it qualifies you for the exam you need. Our guide to online nursing degrees and licensure covers program approval and accreditation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NCLEX a licensure exam or a certification exam?
A licensure exam. The state board of nursing issues the RN license. Passing the NCLEX-RN is one requirement for it. The NCLEX-PN works the same way for LPNs and LVNs. Certification exams such as the CNL or CNE are separate credentials you hold on top of a license.
How much does the NCLEX cost?
The U.S. registration fee is $200, and NCLEX.com says it will be $350 from February 1, 2027. One fee covers the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. State boards charge their own licensure application fees separately.
Which nursing certification exam costs the most?
Of the exams on this page, the Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) exam costs the most: $1,310 for the National Certification Examination (NCE). That figure includes a $160 MAC Check enrollment fee.
Which boards certify nurse practitioners?
ANCC, AANPCB, PNCB, NCC, and AACN each certify NPs in different population foci. Non-member initial exam fees run $315–$407, and certification periods run 1–5 years depending on the board.
Are CNA exams the same in every state?
No. CNAs are certified and listed on a state nurse aide registry, not licensed like RNs or LPNs. Each state chooses its exam and testing vendor. Many states use the NNAAP exam, and fees vary by state and vendor.
Is SANE certification a license?
No. SANE-A and SANE-P are national certifications, not state licenses. You practice on your RN or APRN license. ANCC offers SANE-A and SANE-P for renewal only, so there is no initial exam fee. ANCC says it is exploring re-introducing initial SANE exams.
Sources
APRN exam figures come from each certifying body's own site, linked in the table. The other roles use these sources:
- nclex.com/fees-payment.page
- nclex.com/registration.page
- nclex.com/quick-results.page
- ncsbn.org/exams/nnaap-and-mace.page
- ncsbn.org/public-files/Consensus_Model_for_APRN_Regulation_July_2008.pdf
- aacnnursing.org/our-initiatives/education-practice/clinical-nurse-leader/cnl-certification/exam/dates-fees
- aacnnursing.org/our-initiatives/education-practice/clinical-nurse-leader/cnl-certification/Renewal
- nln.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/cne-handbook-2026_march.pdf
- nln.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/cnecl-handbook_2026_march.pdf
- nln.org/certification/Certification-for-Nurse-Educators/certification-program-fees
- nursingworld.org/our-certifications/sexual-assault-nurse-examiner-sane-a-and-sane-p-renewals/
- nursingworld.org/news/news-releases/2026-news-releases/american-nurses-credentialing-center-to-welcome-forensic-nurses/