Iowa NCLEX Application – Nursing

Step 1: Applying with the Iowa State Board of Nursing (IBON)

Iowa NCLEX Application: Iowa offers a paper application as well as an online application. This guide will walk you through the online application process from start to finish.

Here is the IBON Initial Licensure page. We encourage you to read the content there.

1. Go to the IBON Online Services webpage.
2. Click on the link titled “License Examination.” You will need to create or log in to an account. Then complete the application.
3. International Students: Instructions for those educated or endorsed from foreign schools.

They will charge you $143. This fee includes this application and the charges for the Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting (more on those later).

Click the link and apply!

Step 2: Register with Pearson Vue

You should read the NCLEX Candidate bulletin before registering and taking the test. It can be found on the NCSBN NCLEX Portal. From there, you should click on “Register” to register for the NCLEX.

Register for the NCLEX

Pearson Vue is also responsible for sending the Authorization to Test letter. They will only send it after receiving an approval from your State Board of Nursing (which you applied to in Step 1).

The registration fee will be $200 for students in the U.S.

Step 3: Complete and send the Examination Packet

The Examination Packet is usually provided by your Nursing Program. If you did not receive the Examination Packet from your Nursing Program, email the IBON and request an Examination Packet to be mailed to you immediately.

The packet contains these items:

1. Instructions
2. Two Fingerprint cards
3. Criminal History Background Check Waiver Form
4. Form to Request Transcript
5. Checklist

These items can also be found on the IBON Initial Licensure page.

Most nursing programs will also send your transcripts and proof of graduation for you.

 “If your Nursing Program has not already sent your official nursing transcript to the Iowa Board of Nursingyou will need to contact the original nursing program from which you graduated or the institution maintaining your official records to forward an Official Nursing Transcript directly to the Iowa Board of Nursing. Transcripts that are faxed or submitted by the applicant will not be accepted.”

Read the instruction sheet carefully and send the required items to the Board of Nursing address provided.

Step 4: Receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) and Schedule your NCLEX

You’ve successfully completed the dual application process. If your Board of Nursing application has been approved, your ATT will arrive by e-mail within 2 weeks after you register.

Remember, after you turn in all the materials, your State Board of Nursing (from Step 1) sends approval to Pearson Vue (from Step 2). Pearson Vue then sends the Authorization to Test. You can check the status of both applications.

You can check the status of your state application at IBON Online Services by clicking on the “Check the Status of an Application in Process” link in the sidebar.

Once your Authorization to Test letter arrives, you can schedule your test from the Pearson Vue website.

If you need to check the status of your registration with Pearson Vue, or have ANY QUESTIONS at all, refer to the candidate bulletin.

Step 5: Prepare/Study/Test Prep fot your scheduled, upoming NCLEX:

You can compare review classes, read user reviews, and get nursing help here:

• Extended NCLEX course and study packages (3months & 6 Months respectively)
• Compare best NCLEX books
• Free NCLEX Pre-Test Practice Questions & Rationales