How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX?
Learn about NCLEX retake limits, waiting periods, and strategies to pass on your next attempt
How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX?
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a critical step for nursing graduates to obtain their license. But what happens if you don’t pass on your first try? Here’s what you need to know:
- � Maximum Attempts: Varies by state (typically 3-8 attempts per year)
- ⏱️ Waiting Period: 45 days between attempts
- 📝 Retake Process: Requires reapplication and fee payment
- 📈 Pass Rates: 73.6% first-time pass rate (2024 NCSBN data)
🚨 NCLEX Retake Limits by State
| State | Maximum Attempts per Year | Waiting Period | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Alaska | Unlimited | 45 days | Must pass within 2 years of first attempt; after 2 years, completion of a remedial course is required before retaking. |
| Arizona | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Arkansas | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| California | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Colorado | 3 | 45 days | Within 3 years of the first attempt. For a fourth attempt within 2 years of the third, candidates must evaluate deficiencies, take a refresher course, and petition the board. After four failures, re-enrollment in a nursing program is required. |
| Connecticut | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Delaware | Unlimited | 45 days | Candidates can retake the NCLEX for up to 5 years. |
| Florida | 3 | 45 days | After three failed attempts, completion of a state-approved remedial course is required before the fourth attempt. |
| Georgia | Unlimited | 45 days | Must pass within 3 years of graduation from a nursing program. |
| Hawaii | 3 | 45 days | After three failures, candidates must complete a remedial course and retake the exam within six months of course completion. |
| Idaho | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Illinois | Unlimited | 45 days | Must pass within 3 years of initial application; otherwise, additional education and a new application are required. |
| Indiana | Unlimited | 45 days | After three failures, candidates must undergo a board review before retaking. |
| Iowa | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Kansas | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Kentucky | Unlimited | 45 days | After two or more failures, candidates receive a letter from the Board and must reapply for licensure, pay fees, and complete background checks. |
| Louisiana | 4 | 45 days | For practical nurses, up to four attempts within two years (but no later than three years) of program completion. After four failures, re-enrollment in a nursing program is required. |
| Maine | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Maryland | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Massachusetts | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Michigan | Unlimited | 45 days | Must pass within 3 years of graduation; otherwise, completion of a competency certification or board-approved extension is required. |
| Minnesota | Unlimited | 45 days | Applicants must submit a retake request within 8 months and retake within a year. |
| Mississippi | 6 | 45 days | Must pass within 2 years of graduation. |
| Missouri | Unlimited | 45 days | Candidates must file a repeat examination application and retake within one year from the application date. |
| Montana | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Nebraska | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Nevada | 4 | 45 days | None |
| New Hampshire | 5 | 45 days | Includes attempts made in other states. |
| New Jersey | 3 | 45 days | After three failures, completion of a board-approved remedial training is required before the fourth attempt. |
| New Mexico | 3 | 45 days | Must pass within 3 years of initial eligibility. |
| New York | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| North Carolina | Unlimited | 45 days | If not passed within 1 year of the first attempt, completion of board-approved remediation is required before reexamination. Failure to pass within 3 years of graduation necessitates re-enrollment in an approved nursing program. |
| North Dakota | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Ohio | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Oklahoma | Unlimited | 45 days | Must take the NCLEX within 2 years of completing a nursing program; otherwise, a refresher course or supervised clinical experience is required before retaking. |
| Oregon | Unlimited | 45 days | Must pass within 3 years. |
| Pennsylvania | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Rhode Island | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| South Carolina | Unlimited | 45 days | If not passed within 1 year of the first attempt, completion of board-approved remediation is required before reexamination. Failure to pass within 3 years of graduation necessitates re-enrollment in an approved nursing program. |
| South Dakota | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Tennessee | Unlimited | 45 days | After two failures, candidates must submit a study plan and proof of remediation. If not passed within 3 years of graduation, re-enrollment in a nursing program is required. |
| Texas | Unlimited for 4 years | 45 days | After 4 years from graduation without passing, completion of an approved nursing education program is required before retaking. |
| Utah | Unlimited | 45 days | Must pass within 5 years of graduation; otherwise, completion of an approved nursing education program is required before retaking. |
| Vermont | Unlimited | 45 days | Must pass within 5 years of graduation; otherwise, completion of an approved nursing education program is required before retaking. |
| Virginia | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Washington | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| West Virginia | Unlimited | 45 days | After two failures, candidates must complete board-approved remediation. After four failures, additional coursework is required. |
| Wisconsin | Unlimited | 45 days | None |
| Wyoming | 2 | 45 days | Candidates can take the NCLEX up to 10 times within 5 years of graduation. |
Check your state’s Board of Nursing for specific rules. If it has none, it likely has not been provided clearly, so make sure to double check the figures here.
📆 Retake Timeline: What to Expect
1. Immediate Steps After Failing
- Receive your Candidate Performance Report (CPR)
- Analyze weak areas (e.g., Pharmacology, Management of Care)
- Create a retake study plan
2. 45-Day Waiting Period
- Focus on improving weak areas
- Use resources like UWorld and NurseAchieve
- Practice with Next-Gen NCLEX (NGN) questions
3. Reapplication Process
- Submit retake application to your state board
- Pay the $200 exam fee
- Receive new Authorization to Test (ATT)
🧰 Essential Resources for NCLEX Retakes
| Resource | Best For | Time Commitment | Direct Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| UWorld | Question pattern mastery | 2-3 hrs/day | Visit Site |
| Saunders 9th Ed | Foundational knowledge | 1 hr/day | Buy Now |
| Mark K Lectures | Priority frameworks | 30 min/day | Access Notes |
| NurseAchieve | CAT Exam Simulation | 1x weekly | Try Free |
| Simple Nursing | Visual Pharm Learning | 30 min/day | Watch Videos |
📈 Retake Success Strategies
1. Analyze Your CPR Report
- Focus on Below Passing Standard areas
- Use NCSBN’s NCLEX Content Outline
2. Master Next-Gen NCLEX (NGN) Formats
- Case Studies
- Bowtie Questions
- Trend Analysis
3. Simulate Exam Conditions
- Take 3+ CAT Exams before retaking
- Use NurseAchieve’s Simulator
When Preparing:
- Study 4-6 hours daily
- Complete 2,000+ practice questions
- Review rationales thoroughly
On Exam Day:
- Arrive 45 minutes early
- Hide the question counter after Q30
- Use the Pearson Vue Tutorial to practice the interface
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