Short answer
- Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN): typically 4 years (BLS).
- Associate degree (ADN or ASN): often described as two years, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics now says these degrees “also typically take 4 years to complete.”
- Hospital diploma: typically 2 to 3 years. Accelerated BSN for people with a bachelor’s degree in another field: 12 to 18 months including prerequisites (AACN).
- After graduation: board approval, the NCLEX-RN exam and your state license. Official results arrive through your board within six weeks; a failed attempt means waiting at least 45 days (NCLEX).
- Cost change: the NCLEX registration fee rises from $200 to $350 on February 1, 2027 (NCLEX).
The degree is only the first part of the answer: you also need your state board’s approval, a passed NCLEX-RN and a license before you can work as a registered nurse. This guide covers both parts with primary sources: the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the NCLEX program run by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and the Nurse Licensure Compact. We checked them on September 22, 2026. Rules and processing times vary by state; your state board of nursing has the final word.
The timeline by route
| Route | Program length | Who it’s for | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSN | typically 4 years | first degree | board approval, NCLEX-RN, license |
| ADN / ASN | typically 4 years according to the BLS (often advertised as 2) | first degree, usually at a community college | board approval, NCLEX-RN, license |
| Hospital diploma | typically 2 to 3 years | first nursing qualification; far fewer programs exist | board approval, NCLEX-RN, license |
| Accelerated BSN | 12 to 18 months including prerequisites | people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field | board approval, NCLEX-RN, license |
Sources: BLS registered nurses, AACN accelerated programs.
All routes include supervised clinical experience, and all end in the same exam and the same license. The BLS notes that there are “far fewer diploma programs than there are BSN, ADN, and ASN programs.” Nurses who start with an ADN or a diploma can later earn a bachelor’s degree through an RN-to-BSN program.
Why the associate degree may not be the two-year route
Most of the top search results for this question put the associate degree at about two years (our check of the first results page on September 22, 2026). The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, updated in August 2026, says otherwise: BSN programs “typically take 4 years to complete; associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and associate of science in nursing (ASN) degrees also typically take 4 years to complete” (BLS).
The BLS doesn’t explain the figure. For planning, the practical point is this: when a college quotes two years for its ADN, ask whether that includes prerequisite courses and any waiting time before you’re admitted to the nursing sequence. That’s where the difference between an advertised length and your real start-to-finish time usually hides.
The accelerated route
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject, an accelerated BSN is the shortest route listed here. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing puts these programs at 12 to 18 months including prerequisites and counted 340 accelerated bachelor’s programs in 2025, plus 104 accelerated or entry-level master’s programs (AACN). They’re intensive, and they still end with the NCLEX-RN.
After graduation: the licensing steps
“To become licensed, nurses must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a qualifying exam,” the BLS says. For registered nurses, that exam is the NCLEX-RN. The steps, in order:
- Apply to your state board of nursing for licensure and eligibility to test. Requirements and fees are set by each board (NCLEX FAQ).
- Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE and pay the fee. Your registration stays open for 365 days while it waits for the board to make you eligible; if that doesn’t happen within the year, the registration and the fee are lost (NCLEX registration).
- Receive your Authorization to Test (ATT). You can’t schedule without it. An ATT is valid for 90 days on average and can’t be extended; if you don’t test in time, you register and pay again (NCLEX FAQ).
- Take the exam. The NCLEX-RN is a computerized adaptive test with at least 85 and at most 150 items in up to five hours, breaks included (NCLEX-RN test plan, PDF). The Next Generation NCLEX with clinical judgment case studies has been in use since April 1, 2023 (NCLEX).
- Get your result. Unofficial results can come after two business days if your board takes part in the Quick Results service; the official result comes only from your board, within six weeks (NCLEX results).
- Receive your license from the state board.
If you don’t pass, you can retest no sooner than 45 days after the exam, up to eight times a year, and some boards require a longer wait (NCLEX results). Each attempt means a new registration fee.
The NCLEX fee: $200 now, $350 from February 1, 2027
| Until January 31, 2027 | From February 1, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| NCLEX registration (US licensure) | $200 | $350 |
Source: NCLEX fees. The registration fee is not refundable, including when you miss the exam or cancel late. Changing your board or exam type currently costs $50.
You pay when you register with Pearson VUE, and a registration stays open for a year while your board processes your application. If you graduate in late 2026 or early 2027, registering before February 1, 2027 means the $200 fee instead of $350. Registering early only makes sense if you’re confident the board will make you eligible within the 365 days; otherwise the fee is lost.
Working in more than one state
A license is issued by one state. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) lets nurses whose primary residence is in a compact state hold a multistate license and work in other compact states without additional licenses. As of September 2026 the compact counts 43 jurisdictions; in Massachusetts and the U.S. Virgin Islands the start date is still to be determined, and Guam has implemented it only in part (NLC, NLC map, PDF, how the NLC works). If you plan to move or work as a travel nurse, that can matter as much as the degree you choose.
Pay and job outlook
| BLS figure | Registered nurses |
|---|---|
| Median annual pay, May 2025 | $97,550 |
| Lowest 10% / highest 10% | under $68,940 / over $137,470 |
| Jobs, 2025 | 3,465,400 |
| Projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | 6% |
| Openings per year | about 180,800 |
Source: BLS registered nurses.
Starting lower on the ladder
Many people reach RN in steps: nursing assistant (CNA) first, then licensed practical nurse (LPN), then registered nurse. Our comparison of CNA vs LPN vs RN shows training, exams and pay for each step, and our CNA certification guide lists the training hours state by state.
Frequently asked questions
How many years does it take to become a registered nurse?
Typically 4 years for a BSN and 2 to 3 years for a hospital diploma, according to the BLS, which now also puts ADN and ASN degrees at typically 4 years. With a prior bachelor’s degree, an accelerated BSN takes 12 to 18 months. Add the time for board approval and the NCLEX.
Can I become an RN in two years?
Some associate degree and diploma programs are designed around two years of nursing coursework. Check what the college includes: prerequisites and admission wait times can make the total longer, which is what the BLS figure of 4 years for ADN and ASN degrees suggests.
How much does the NCLEX cost?
$200 for US licensure until January 31, 2027, and $350 from February 1, 2027. Your state board charges its own licensure fee on top.
How long do I have to wait to retake the NCLEX?
At least 45 days, up to eight attempts a year. Some state boards require longer.
Do I need a new license if I move?
If your primary residence is in a Nurse Licensure Compact state, a multistate license lets you work in the other compact states. Otherwise you apply for a license in the new state.
How we checked these facts. Program lengths, pay and outlook come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (updated August 27, 2026); accelerated program data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing; exam steps and fees from nclex.com; compact membership from nursecompact.com. All pages were checked on September 22, 2026. Certificate Quest is not affiliated with any of these organizations and earns nothing from links on this page. This is general career information, not legal or professional advice.