Failing the NCLEX is not uncommon – 13.3% of first-time US-educated candidates did not pass in 2025, or roughly one in every eight – but passing on the second attempt requires a different approach rather than more of the same preparation. Before you can retake, you need to navigate state-specific waiting periods and ATT reapplication. Once cleared, the candidates who pass are those who diagnose what went wrong the first time and build a targeted plan around that gap.
This guide covers the retake process from result to rescheduled exam: waiting periods by state, ATT reapplication steps, how to read your Candidate Performance Report, and how to restructure your study approach for a passing result.
At a glance:
- NCSBN minimum wait: 45 test-free days from your exam date, up to 8 attempts per year
- Repeat US-educated candidates passed at 52.7% in 2025, against 86.7% for first-time candidates
- Your state board – not NCSBN – sets the deadline for passing after graduation, commonly 3 to 5 years
- You must reapply to your state board and pay a new NCSBN registration fee ($200)
- The Candidate Performance Report (CPR) tells you exactly where your weak areas are
- Most repeat testers need 6–10 weeks of structured prep before attempting again
- Changing your primary study resource is often the right call for a second attempt
Why most retake attempts fail (and how to avoid it)
Start with the number that shapes everything else about a retake: in 2025, repeat US-educated candidates passed at 52.7% – 22,404 of 42,513 – against 86.7% for first-time candidates. A second attempt is close to a coin flip across the whole population, and the gap between the two figures is not explained by ability alone. It reflects how many candidates re-sit without changing anything about their preparation.
That is the single biggest mistake repeat testers make: doing the same preparation as before, only more of it. If your first attempt didn’t produce a passing result, your study method has a gap – either a content gap, a test-taking strategy gap, or a problem with the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) item types introduced in April 2023.
More practice questions from the same bank you used before will expose you to the same material in the same way. The CPR you received after your first attempt is a map of exactly what needs to change. Read it before you spend another dollar on prep materials.
NCLEX retake waiting periods by state
NCSBN policy sets the floor: 45 test-free days between attempts. The clock starts on your exam date, not when results arrive. Several states impose additional conditions on top of that floor, and the conditions that matter most are not longer waiting periods – they are deadlines and attempt caps that can end your eligibility altogether, which is why the right-hand column below deserves more attention than the middle one.
A caution about this table and every other version of it you will find online: the boards update these rules without announcement, and a “no additional conditions” entry is much weaker evidence than a stated condition. Treat the rows below as a prompt for the question you should ask your own board, not as a substitute for asking it.
| State | Minimum wait | Additional conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Alaska | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Arizona | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Arkansas | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| California | 45 days | After 3 failures, remedial education may be required |
| Colorado | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Connecticut | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Delaware | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Florida | 45 days | Remedial course required after 3 failures; may require 90-day wait in some circumstances – confirm with FBON |
| Georgia | 45 days | Must pass within 3 years of graduation; after that, must re-enroll in and graduate from an approved program to reestablish eligibility |
| Hawaii | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Idaho | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Illinois | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Indiana | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Iowa | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Kansas | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Kentucky | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Louisiana | 45 days | Candidates limited to 4 attempts within 2 years of graduation |
| Maine | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Maryland | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Massachusetts | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Michigan | 45 days | Must pass within 3 years of graduation; missing the window requires written certification of skills competency or a board extension of up to 6 months |
| Minnesota | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Mississippi | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Missouri | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Montana | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Nebraska | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Nevada | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| New Hampshire | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| New Jersey | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| New Mexico | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| New York | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| North Carolina | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| North Dakota | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Ohio | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Oklahoma | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Oregon | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Pennsylvania | 45 days | Unlimited retakes allowed |
| Rhode Island | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| South Carolina | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| South Dakota | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Tennessee | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Texas | 45 days | Must pass within 4 years of graduation (BON Rule 217.2); after that, must complete a board-approved nursing program again to regain eligibility |
| Utah | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Vermont | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Virginia | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Washington | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| West Virginia | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Wisconsin | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
| Wyoming | 45 days | None beyond NCSBN standard |
NCSBN limit: Up to 8 attempts per year, with a mandatory 45 test-free days between each. The 45-day clock runs from your exam date, not from the date results arrive.
The deadline for passing after graduation is set by your state board, not by NCSBN. NCSBN imposes no time limit tied to your graduation date – that rule comes from individual nursing regulatory bodies and it varies materially between them. Georgia and Michigan give three years from graduation; Texas allows the standard 45-day retake cycle for four years, after which a candidate must return to school to regain eligibility; several states run to five years or handle expired candidates case by case. Because this is the one deadline that can permanently close the pathway, confirm your own state’s rule directly rather than assuming a national three-year standard.
Always verify with your state board. State policies can change, and third-party sources (including this guide) may lag behind updates. If you are on your second or third attempt, call your state board directly to confirm the exact waiting period and any conditions that apply to your situation.
ATT reapplication: what you need to do
You cannot schedule your next exam until you receive a new Authorization to Test (ATT). The ATT process for a retake involves two separate steps that must both be completed before Pearson VUE will issue your new ATT.
Step 1: Register with NCSBN
Pay the NCSBN registration fee ($200 for NCLEX-RN, $200 for NCLEX-PN) through the Pearson VUE candidate portal. This fee is non-refundable and does not include your state board application fee.
Step 2: Apply to your state board
Every state requires a separate retake application. Most states also charge a retake application fee, typically between $50 and $150, though fees vary widely. Some states process retake applications within a few business days; others take two to four weeks. Factor in state processing time when planning your study schedule – you may not be able to schedule your exam until well after the 45-day minimum has passed.
States that require documentation for a retake (transcripts, proof of enrollment in a remedial course, or letters of good standing) will specify this when you apply. California, Florida, and a handful of others may request additional materials after multiple failures.
Once both applications are submitted and your state board approves your eligibility, Pearson VUE will issue your ATT by email. The ATT is valid for 90 days – you must test within that window or reapply.
How to read your Candidate Performance Report
Your CPR is the most useful piece of information you get from a failed attempt. It does not give you a numerical score – NCLEX is pass/fail. Instead, it shows your performance across NCSBN’s eight Client Needs categories compared to what was expected of a minimally competent nurse.
The eight categories are:
- Safe and effective care environment – management of care
- Safe and effective care environment – safety and infection prevention and control
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial integrity
- Basic care and comfort
- Pharmacological and parenteral therapies
- Reduction of risk potential
- Physiological adaptation
Note the second subcategory’s name: the NCLEX-RN Test Plan effective April 2026 renamed it from “Safety and Infection Control” to “Safety and Infection Prevention and Control.” The weighting is unchanged at 10–16%, and the eight-category structure carried over intact, so a CPR issued under the previous plan maps onto the current one without translation. If your prep materials still use the old subcategory name, they predate April 2026 – worth checking what else in them is a vintage behind.
Each category will be marked as “above passing standard,” “near passing standard,” or “below passing standard.” Below passing in two or more categories typically indicates a content gap. Near passing across all categories often indicates a test-taking strategy problem – you know the material but are consistently choosing the wrong answer.
Identifying your gap type
Content gap: You’re below passing in specific categories, particularly Pharmacological therapies or Physiological adaptation. You need more content review in those areas, not just more questions.
Strategy gap: You’re near passing across all categories. Your content knowledge is adequate but your clinical judgment prioritization is off. Focus on NCLEX-style thinking – safety first, Maslow’s hierarchy, therapeutic communication – rather than more content.
NGN gap: You’re struggling with case studies, bowtie questions, matrix items, or extended multiple response. The Next Generation NCLEX item types require a different reading and reasoning approach than traditional multiple choice. Targeted NGN practice is the fix.
Most repeat testers have a combination. Read the CPR alongside your question bank performance data (UWorld scores, Kaplan readiness scores) to triangulate.
Should you change your study resources?
If you used UWorld on your first attempt and didn’t pass, that does not mean UWorld failed you. It means you used it in a way that didn’t work – possibly by treating it as a question accumulation exercise rather than a diagnostic tool.
That said, changing your primary resource for a second attempt is often the right call. A different question bank exposes you to different item formats and rationale explanations, and a live review course adds external structure and accountability that self-directed prep lacks.
Question banks for second-attempt candidates:
| Resource | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| UWorld | Comprehensive question bank, strong rationale | ~$150–$300 depending on subscription |
| Kaplan | NGN-style items, test-taking strategy coaching | ~$200–$400 |
| ATI | Integrated with many nursing programs; good for content gaps | ~$100–$250 |
| Hurst Review | Content-heavy; strong for candidates with content gaps | ~$350 (live or online) |
| Archer Review | Budget option; strong NGN practice | ~$50–$150 |
Live review courses (Kaplan, Hurst, Feuer Nursing Review) are worth serious consideration for candidates who have failed twice or more. The live format provides structure, instructor explanation, and a cohort of other candidates – three things self-directed prep cannot replicate.
Building your retake study plan
The 45-day minimum window is not enough time for most candidates. NCSBN data consistently shows that candidates who wait longer between attempts and prepare more deliberately have higher pass rates on the second attempt. Plan for 6–10 weeks of structured prep after your CPR arrives.
Weeks 1–2: diagnosis and planning
- Read your CPR in full
- Identify your gap type (content, strategy, or NGN)
- Choose your primary study resource
- Set a daily schedule with specific start and end times – treat this like a job, not a hobby
Weeks 3–6: targeted content and question work
- Focus 60% of daily study time on your CPR weak areas
- Do 75–100 questions daily minimum
- Review every rationale, including questions you got right – knowing the answer isn’t enough; understanding why the other options are wrong is the skill you’re building
- Track your moving average score, not individual session scores
Weeks 7–8: simulation and readiness check
- Run two to three full-length practice exams under timed conditions. The NCLEX-RN is computer-adaptive and variable in length: every candidate answers a minimum of 85 items and a maximum of 150, within a five-hour limit, with 15 unscored pretest items on every exam regardless of total length. Practicing at the 150-item ceiling builds the stamina the worst case demands
- Identify any NGN item types you’re still struggling with and drill specifically
- Review your high-yield pharmacology – this category appears in multiple Client Needs sections
- If your question bank pass predictor or readiness score is above 60–65%, you are likely ready to schedule
Scheduling
Submit your state board retake application as soon as you have your CPR – don’t wait until you feel ready. Processing time means you’ll often wait 2–4 weeks before you can schedule regardless. Apply immediately and use the processing window as study time.
The mental side of a retake
Failing the NCLEX is a significant setback, and the emotional weight of a retake is real. A few things worth naming:
The exam did not tell you that you will be a bad nurse. It measured a specific skill – standardized clinical judgment under time pressure – on a specific day. That skill is trainable.
Avoid over-studying. More hours are not always better. Fatigue and anxiety impair performance on exam day. In the final week before your retake, dial back study hours, prioritize sleep, and run through your known strengths rather than drilling weaknesses.
Burnout from the first attempt is a real risk. If you start your retake prep feeling defeated and depleted, acknowledge it and build in deliberate recovery time before the heavy study phase begins. Starting your retake plan from a depleted state is a setup for another failure.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can I take the NCLEX? NCSBN allows up to 8 attempts per year with 45 test-free days between each. Individual states may impose stricter limits – Louisiana caps candidates at 4 attempts within 2 years of graduation. Separately, most state boards set a deadline for passing after graduation, commonly three to five years depending on the state; this is a state rule rather than an NCSBN one, so check yours specifically.
Will my employer know I failed? Your employer will not receive notification. Licensing boards do not proactively share exam results with employers. However, if your employer requires you to provide proof of licensure by a certain date and you fail, the absence of your license number will be apparent.
Do I have to retake the full exam? Yes. There is no partial credit or partial retake. Every attempt is a fresh, full exam.
Can I retake in a different state? Yes, though this involves applying for licensure in that state. If you are considering relocating or want a faster processing time, you can apply to a different state’s board. Be aware that each state has its own fees and requirements.
What if I’m approaching my state’s graduation deadline? Contact your nursing program and state board immediately. Options vary – some states allow an extension with documentation, others require additional coursework or a refresher program, and a few require re-enrollment in a nursing program entirely. Confirm your own state’s deadline rather than assuming three years, since the limit ranges from three to five years and is set board by board. Don’t let this deadline pass without acting.
Where to go from here
If you failed the NCLEX and need to retake, your next steps are:
- Request your CPR (usually arrives 2–3 weeks after results)
- Submit your state board retake application and NCSBN registration immediately – don’t wait for the CPR
- Once you have the CPR, diagnose your gap and build your study plan
- Give yourself 6–8 weeks minimum of structured prep before scheduling
For deeper preparation resources, see our NCLEX study plan guide for a week-by-week schedule, and our NCLEX prep books comparison if you’re switching resources for your second attempt. If test anxiety or confidence is a factor, NCLEX study tips covers the psychological and tactical side of exam performance.
References
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “What is the process to retake the NCLEX?,” NCSBN Candidate Support, 2026. https://ncsbn.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/16543453685911-What-is-the-process-to-retake-the-NCLEX
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “What is the Candidate Performance Report (CPR)?,” NCSBN Candidate Support, 2026. https://ncsbn.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/16544065699351-What-is-the-Candidate-Performance-Report-CPR
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “Candidate Performance Report,” NCSBN, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/candidate-performance-report.page
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “NCLEX Pass Rates,” NCSBN, 2025. https://www.ncsbn.org/exams/exam-statistics-and-publications/nclex-pass-rates.page
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan (Client Needs categories),” NCSBN, 2026. https://www.ncsbn.org/publications/2026-nclex-rn-test-plan
- Louisiana State Board of Nursing, “NCLEX-RN Examination and Licensure Requirements,” LSBN, 2026. https://www.lsbn.state.la.us/
- Florida Board of Nursing, “Licensure by Examination and Retake Requirements,” Florida BON, 2026. https://floridasnursing.gov/
- UWorld Nursing, “How to Use Your NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR),” UWorld, 2026. https://nursing.uworld.com/blog/nclex-candidate-performance-report/