Letter to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Board of Directors

August 26, 2026

National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)

Re: 2027 Canadian NCLEX-RN Registration Fee Increase - NCSBN Board of Directors

Dear NCSBN Board of Directors,

On behalf of the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA), representing more than 36,000 nursing students across Canada, we are writing to express our serious concern regarding the increase to the Canadian NCLEX-RN registration fee from $360 CAD to $570 CAD, effective February 1, 2027 — an increase of $210, or 58.3%.

The CNSA recognizes that the costs associated with administering a secure and reliable licensure examination may increase over time. We also recognize that the NCLEX-RNregistration fee has remained unchanged since 2000 and that, after more than two decades, an adjustment is necessary.

Our concern is the magnitude of this fee increase and the severe financial impact to Canadian nursing graduates, in which they will be required to navigate such a drastic increase.

In Canada, the NCLEX-RN fee is only one of several mandatory costs graduates face before entering practice. Nursing is regulated provincially and territorially, meaning graduates must also pay application, assessment, registration, and other jurisdiction-specific regulatory fees.

For example, based on published 2027 fees, a new RN applicant in Ontario may face approximately $954 CAD in provincial application and registration fees before the NCLEX-RN fee is considered. With the new $570 CAD examination fee, regulatory and examination costs can exceed $1700, CAD before applicable taxes and other transition-to-practice expenses. Similar cumulative costs exist across all Canadian provincial and territorial jurisdictions.

These expenses come after years of tuition and educational costs, during which nursing students complete typically 1200+ hours of mandatory clinical practicums and contribute to patient care under supervision within Canada’s healthcare system.Therefore, strongly urge the reconsideration of a one time increase of $210.

At a time when Canada continues to face significant nursing workforce pressures, nursing regulatory bodies must be working collectively with nursing leadership, nursing student representative bodies, and other relevant provincial, territorial, and national partners to alleviate financial barriers between the transition from nursing education to professional practice.

CNSA therefore respectfully asks NCSBN to:

  • reconsider the magnitude of the 58.3% Canadian NCLEX-RN fee increase;

  • consider an incremental increase over a set timeline rather than applying the full increase at one time;

  • meaningfully engage Canadian nursing students and recent graduates regarding the financial impact of examination and licensure costs; and

  • work with CNSA to explore measures that could reduce or mitigate the financial burden associated with entering practice.

We respectfully request transparency in regards to how the $570 CAD Canadian registration fee was determined. This is including the methodology used to establish the Canadian fee relative to the $350 USD fee for candidates in the U.S.A. and Australia. We would welcome clarification regarding the factors that informed the Canadian fee, including currency conversion,the cost and distribution of services associated with delivering the NCLEX-RN in Canada, and any other considerations specific to Canadian candidates. 

We would also welcome clarification regarding whether, and to what extent, the financial realities facing Canadian nursing graduates were considered in the decision-making process.

Nursing students recognize the importance of maintaining a secure, reliable, and high-quality licensure examination that protects the public. However, public protection and financial accessibility should not be treated as competing objectives.

Canada needs nurses. If we are serious about strengthening Canada’s nursing workforce, we must also ensure that qualified nursing graduates can afford to make the transition from education to practice.

CNSA would welcome the opportunity to meet with NCSBN leadership to discuss these concerns and bring the perspectives of Canadian nursing students and new graduates directly into this conversation.

CNSA’s public statement regarding the 2027 NCLEX-RN registration fee increase is enclosed for your consideration and is available on the CNSA website.

https://www.cnsa.ca/updates/the-cost-from-nursing-education-and-serving-our-communities

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Scarlett Sanabria-Ramos
President
Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA)
Association des étudiant(e)s infirmier(ère)s du Canada (AEIC)

Hugo Tam, RN
Director of New Graduate Engagement
Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA)
Association des étudiant(e)s infirmier(ère)s du Canada (AEIC)

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For media inquiries please contact communications@cnsa.ca

Scarlett Sanabria-Ramos