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CEN exam cost and how to register

Facts checked against bcen.orgLast checked Nov 4, 2026

The CEN exam costs $380 at list price, less for ENA members and military candidates. You apply and pay in your account on BCEN's site; the eligibility email that follows opens a testing window of 90 days, and inside it you book a PSI appointment at a test center or online.

Start the free CEN practice test 30 questions · every option explained
On this page
  1. What BCEN charges, and booking terms
  2. What the CEN costs
  3. From BCEN application to PSI seat
  4. PSI center or remote session
  5. Other CEN pages
  6. Sources
  7. Cost and booking questions

What BCEN charges, and booking terms

FactCENSource
Exam fee$380 for non-membersBCEN: CEN cost, Nov 2026BCEN: CEN cost, Nov 2026
Member and bundle prices$285 for ENA members; $195 for active-duty, reserve and veteran military; BCEN Test Assurance (free second attempt) adds $70With Test Assurance: $450 non-member, $355 ENA member, $265 military. Employers can buy vouchers.BCEN: CEN cost, Nov 2026BCEN: CEN cost, Nov 2026
Retake fee$200 retest fee within 1 year of the first examBCEN: CEN cost, Nov 2026BCEN: CEN cost, Nov 2026
Other feesNone beyond the application fee, which becomes non-refundable once the exam is scheduledBCEN: CEN cost +1, Nov 2026BCEN: CEN cost +1, Nov 2026
Renewal fee$280 ($210 ENA members, $195 military), by exam or by CEBCEN: recertify +1, Nov 2026BCEN: recertify +1, Nov 2026
How to bookApply and pay online in your BCEN account; the eligibility email opens your window and you schedule with PSINo walk-ins: every session needs a booked appointment.BCEN: CEN FAQs, Nov 2026BCEN: CEN FAQs, Nov 2026
Window to test90 days from the eligibility emailBCEN: CEN FAQs, Nov 2026BCEN: CEN FAQs, Nov 2026
ReschedulingFree if at least 24 hours before the appointment and inside your windowA no-show forfeits the full fee; refunds are possible only before an appointment is booked.BCEN: CEN FAQs, Nov 2026BCEN: CEN FAQs, Nov 2026
Where you testPSI test center or online with Live Remote Proctoring, worldwide, in EnglishRemote testing needs a personal computer (work PCs often fail the system check) and the PSI tutorial at least 3 days before.BCEN: CEN exam delivery +1, Nov 2026BCEN: CEN exam delivery +1, Nov 2026
Test providerPSIBCEN: CEN FAQs +1, Nov 2026BCEN: CEN FAQs +1, Nov 2026

All facts: bcen.org, checked Nov 4, 2026. US dollars. Fees change; confirm on the board's cost page before you pay.

What the CEN costs

  • List price: $380. ENA members and active-duty, reserve and veteran military candidates pay less; both prices are in the table above.
  • Test Assurance: a flat add-on that prepays a second attempt.
  • Retest without it: $200.

Test Assurance is a bet on needing a second attempt. Compare its add-on price with the retest fee and with your own practice scores. Ask your manager about exam vouchers from the board before paying yourself.

From BCEN application to PSI seat

  1. Confirm your license. The board asks for a current, unencumbered RN license and nothing more; see who can take it.
  2. Apply and pay in your account on the board's site.
  3. Watch for the eligibility email. Your testing window starts that day.
  4. Book with PSI. Every session needs an appointment; there are no walk-ins.
  5. Move the date in time. Rescheduling terms sit in the table above; skipping the appointment costs the entire fee.

PSI center or remote session

It is the same exam either way. For remote testing, use a personal computer, since work machines often fail PSI's system check, and run PSI's tutorial at least three days ahead. Plan the session in a quiet, private room you control.

Refunds stop at booking

A refund request is accepted only until an appointment is booked. After that, missing the appointment costs the entire fee, so move a doubtful date early rather than hoping to make it.

Other CEN pages

Sources

  1. [1]BCEN: CEN cost bcen.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  2. [2]BCEN: CEN FAQs bcen.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  3. [3]BCEN: recertify bcen.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  4. [4]BCEN: CEN exam delivery bcen.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.

Cost and booking questions

Does ENA membership make the CEN cheaper?

Yes. Members pay $285 instead of $380; membership is a discount, not a requirement.

Can I take the CEN online?

Yes. PSI proctors remote sittings live over webcam; computer requirements are under PSI center or remote session.

Are there BCEN vouchers?

Employers can buy vouchers from the board. Ask your unit or education department before you pay the fee yourself.