HowToGetLicensed

Registered Nurse (RN) License: California vs North Carolina

Thinking about getting your registered nurse (rn) license? Here's how California and North Carolina compare on education requirements, exam fees, total costs, and renewal obligations.

Requirement California North Carolina
Education Hours 1500 hours 1500 hours
Exam NCLEX-RN NCLEX-RN
Application Fee $150 $75
Exam Fee $200 $200
Total Estimated Cost $19,500 - $20,500 $17,500 - $18,500
Renewal Period Every 2 years Every 2 years
CE Hours 30 hours 0 hours
Renewal Fee $150 $75

Which State Is Easier or Cheaper?

Lower cost: North Carolina is the more affordable option, with an average total cost of $17,500-$18,500 compared to $19,500-$20,500.

Education: Both states require 1500 hours of education.

Full State Guides

Compare registered nurse (rn) requirements across all 50 states →