Registered Nurse License Cost in New York
In New York, documented RN license fees total $486 — exam $200, application $143, license $143. Always confirm the current schedule with New York State Education Department — Office of the Professions before paying.
Figures below come from the same dataset as the full guide and list only what the state publishes. Anything not published is marked “varies — check the board” rather than guessed.
RN license cost — New York at a glance
| Pre-license education | Varies — check the board |
| Exam fee | $200 |
| Application fee | $143 |
| License fee | $143 |
| Documented fees total | $486 |
| BLS median annual wage | $97,550 (registered nurses) |
Official source: New York State Education Department — Office of the Professions ↗
Fees vs. median pay
The BLS median annual wage for registered nurses is $97,550.The BLS median annual wage for registered nurses is $97,550. Documented RN fees in New York are $486 — about 0.5% of one year's median pay. The bigger investment is usually tuition and time.
Frequently asked questions
What does a RN license cost in New York?
Documented fees in New York total $486: exam $200, application $143, license $143. Pre-license education is the biggest variable cost and is set by each school, not the board.
Are the exam fee and the license fee the same thing in New York?
No. The exam fee covers sitting for the test, while the application and license fees cover processing and issuing the credential. Each is listed separately in the table above where the state publishes it.
How much does RN training cost in New York?
Training-hour requirements for New York are not published here — ask New York State Education Department — Office of the Professions for the approved programs and their costs.
Is a RN license in New York worth the cost?
The BLS median annual wage for registered nurses is $97,550, so documented fees are roughly 0.5% of one year's median pay. Earnings vary widely by state and market — treat this as a planning estimate, not a promise.
Budget your RN licensing in New York
This page is informational and not legal advice. Fees, pass rates and retake rules change frequently — verify all figures with New York State Education Department — Office of the Professions and your exam vendor before paying (retrieved 2026-08-20).