Failing and Retaking the NCLEX
Hundreds of thousands of candidates sit for the NCLEX every year, and most pass. Many do not. In 2024, about 91% of first-time, US-educated candidates passed the NCLEX-RN (NCSBN), so roughly 9% did not, and failure rates run higher across all candidates, a group that includes repeat and internationally educated test-takers. A fail isn't the end. You retake it.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which administers the exam, sets the retake floor: you wait 45 days between attempts, capping you at eight tries per year. There's no nationwide limit on total attempts. Individual states layer on their own time limits, remediation requirements, and caps, covered below.
States With Unlimited NCLEX Attempts
These states let you retake the NCLEX as many times as you need, as long as you follow the NCSBN 45-day rule:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
States With Additional Rules for Retaking the NCLEX
If your state isn't listed above, it adds its own time limits or remediation requirements. Here's how it breaks down.
Alaska
Pass within two years of your first attempt. Keep failing past two years and you complete a remedial course before testing again.
Colorado
Three attempts within three years of your first test. For a fourth attempt, within two years of the third you must identify your deficiencies, complete a course or review, and submit a petition. Fail a fourth time and you enroll in another nursing education program.
Delaware
You can keep retaking for up to five years.
Florida
After three failed attempts, complete a remedial course approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Georgia
Pass within three years of graduating from a nursing education program.
Hawaii
Fail three times and you take a remedial course, then repeat the exam within six months of finishing it.
Illinois
You get three years to pass after your initial application. Miss that window and you complete additional education and submit a new licensure application.
Indiana
Fail after three attempts and you undergo a board review.
Kentucky
Fail two or more times and the Kentucky Board of Nursing sends a letter. You reapply for licensure, pay the fee again, and complete the background check and jurisprudence exam if enough time has passed.
Louisiana
Practical nurses get four attempts within two years, no later than three years after finishing a practical nursing program. Fail the NCLEX-PN and you complete the entire practical nursing program again.
Michigan
Pass within three years of graduating. If you don't, you complete a certification of skills competency or request an extension from the board.
Minnesota
No cap on attempts, but submit a retake request within eight months and repeat the test within a year.
Mississippi
Up to six attempts within two years of graduating from your nursing education program.
Missouri
File a repeat examination application with the required documents, then retake within one year from the date the application is notarized.
Nevada
Up to four attempts.
New Hampshire
Up to five attempts, including attempts in other states.
New Jersey
Fail three times and you complete board-approved remedial training before a fourth attempt.
New Mexico
A maximum of three attempts within three years of your initial eligibility.
Oklahoma
Test within two years of completing a nursing education program. Miss that and you complete a refresher course or supervised clinical experience before testing again.
Oregon
You have up to three years to pass.
South Carolina
Fail to pass within one year of your first attempt and you complete a remediation plan approved by the South Carolina Board of Nursing before reexamination. Fail to pass within three years of graduation and you requalify by enrolling in an approved nursing education program.
Tennessee
Fail twice and the board may set conditions, decided case by case. Don't pass within three years of graduating and you complete another accredited nursing program.
Texas
Don't pass within four years of graduation and you complete an approved nursing education program before retaking.
Utah
Pass within five years of graduation. Miss it and you complete another approved program.
Vermont
Don't pass within five years of graduation and you complete another nursing education program before testing again.
West Virginia
Fail twice and you complete state-approved activities to remedy knowledge gaps, listed on the state RN board's site. Fail four times and you show the board evidence of completed courses and assessments.
Wyoming
Up to 10 attempts within five years of graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can you take the NCLEX? Under NCSBN rules, eight times a year with 45 days between attempts. Many states set no total cap. Others limit you to three to five attempts before requiring a remedial course or other action.
Are there states with unlimited attempts? Yes. Even there, you still follow the NCSBN cap of eight attempts per year.
How long do I have to wait to retake the NCLEX? At least 45 days between attempts, set by NCSBN. Some state boards add their own waiting periods or require remediation after a set number of fails, so check your board's policy.
Does the NCLEX get harder each time you take it? No. The NCSBN doesn't change the difficulty based on how many times you've tested. If it feels harder, that's the pressure you're putting on yourself.
How many people fail the NCLEX the first time? It depends on the candidate group. In 2024, about 91% of first-time, US-educated candidates passed the NCLEX-RN (NCSBN), so roughly 9% did not. Failure rates are higher across all candidates, which include repeat and internationally educated test-takers.
What should I do between attempts? Review your Candidate Performance Report, which shows where you fell short, build a study plan around those weak areas, and confirm any remediation your state board requires before you re-register.