For those using EC now...Fee to Pearson, too?

caliotter3 · Jun 13, 2007

Pearson is the company that you pay a fee to in order to take the NCLEX as part of the licensing process. I haven't finished yet and don't at the moment know if EC covers that. I've just assumed that they don't. I'll worry about licensing fees once I get to that point! You can call EC and verify or one of the people who have already finished can probably answer your question. Good luck.

P.S. You don't pay an additional fee to Pearson for each EC NC test. You only pay them for the NCLEX. Your $220 is the only fee for each nursing concepts test.

mimeduke · Jun 13, 2007

Thanks for the super quick reply! That clears things up. I kind of figured that we would pay our own NCLEX test fee. I was just afraid Pearson charged additional fees for each EC NC exam. I don't know what Rue and TCN were talking about then...

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jun 13, 2007

If I sign up to do this through Excelsior directly and buy my own books/materials privately WITHOUT TCN or Rue, is there an additional test fee to Pearson???? In other words, will I pay only Excelsior $220 per exam (well, $235 after July 1st according to Excelsior) or will I owe Excelsior $220 AND Pearson an additional fee of $220 (or more) per exam???

I graduated from EC going directly thru them and you've got me confused!

I paid a fee to be admitted to EC for one year. You have to pay that admission fee to EC whether or not you use TCN or Rue. The tests that I took I scheduled myself and paid for myself. Once finished with the tests I paid the CPNE fee to EC and then a graduation fee. As far as I know whether you go through EC or use a for fee publisher you still have to schedule your own tests and pay for them when you call to schedule. Check out this group, they were invaluable to me: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rnstudygroup/

mimeduke · Jun 14, 2007

I graduated from EC going directly thru them and you've got me confused!
I paid a fee to be admitted to EC for one year. You have to pay that admission fee to EC whether or not you use TCN or Rue. The tests that I took I scheduled myself and paid for myself. Once finished with the tests I paid the CPNE fee to EC and then a graduation fee. As far as I know whether you go through EC or use a for fee publisher you still have to schedule your own tests and pay for them when you call to schedule. Check out this group, they were invaluable to me: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rnstudygroup/

Thanks for the website. I signed up to be added. I didn't mean to confuse you. TCN and Rue had me very confused...

Thanks for sharing the info!

Boston-RN, RN · Jun 15, 2007

Pearson is just the testing center. EC starting using them exclusively in Sept 06 (it's the same place as the NCLEX exams) No you don't pay them a fee with EC exams. You would have to pay a $10 fee to them if you book your test by phone instead of online.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jun 16, 2007

Pearson is just the testing center. EC starting using them exclusively in Sept 06 (it's the same place as the NCLEX exams) No you don't pay them a fee with EC exams. You would have to pay a $10 fee to them if you book your test by phone instead of online.

I graduated in 2000 and it was not that way back then, obviously things have changed.

So if you don't pay Pearson for your exam...who do you pay? EC? I was not aware that you could take any of the clep exams online? People would surely cheat. Sad but true.

Boston-RN, RN · Jun 17, 2007

Yes you pay EC for the exam wait 2 days and you register and pick a date with pearson to have the test and go to the testing center. No you cannot take a CLEP test online.

Both the EC and CLEP exams are proctored and you need to show ID.

LEN-RN · Jun 19, 2007

Thanks for the super quick reply! That clears things up. I kind of figured that we would pay our own NCLEX test fee. I was just afraid Pearson charged additional fees for each EC NC exam. I don't know what Rue and TCN were talking about then...

Excelsior is the college. Pearson is where you go and take your tests in person. You pay Excelsior for the test, and schedule with Pearson.

What people dont know about Rue and TCN, is that they end up paying double than if they just went to Excelsior directly. Rue and TCN are not needed.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jun 19, 2007

I graduated in 2000 and it was not that way back then, obviously things have changed.

Fairly recently, Excelsior switched testing companies, from Sylvan/Thomson Prometric to Pearson. All in all, a good change, IMHO. Toward the end of the Prometric contract, I showed up mid-morning for a BSN exam only to be told that the center was closed that day due to technical difficulties. :madface:

Ronnie22 · Jun 23, 2007

Yes you pay EC for the exam wait 2 days and you register and pick a date with pearson to have the test and go to the testing center. No you cannot take a CLEP test online.
Both the EC and CLEP exams are proctored and you need to show ID.

MAnurseHopeful is correct. Pay Excelsior for exam, ie $220 for NC test, then schedule your exam with Pearson Vue. It is best to set up your Person account right away, then you will not have to do that after you pay EC.

I just took a NC test on June 20, they did not require me to pay any additional money. When you go to schedule your exam with Pearson, you will see the fee is $00., that is normal. The two day wait is for Pearson to get info from EC. I have a friend that has paid for 3 exams, and they all show up on his Pearson account, but he only schedules the one he has studied for. Remember, once you pay EC, you have 9 months to take the exam(s), so plan accordingly.

Where I take my NC tests, they do require photo ID, and a finger print scan prior to entering the exam, and when you exit the exam. Very nice place for exam; good computers, and seats.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 4, 2007

Just as a general FYI, the price per NC exam went up to $235 as of July 1. CPNE also went up to $1850, I believe. But I think the practice exams are still the same bargain price of $60.