Taking the NCLEX in the UK? You’re in the right place. Six Pearson VUE centres across the UK offer NCLEX-RN testing year-round, from London’s financial district to Edinburgh’s historic city center. This guide covers everything you need: exact addresses, booking processes, fee breakdowns, and travel logistics that other resources miss.
No need to fly to America just to sit your nursing exam. The UK testing network serves thousands of internationally educated nurses annually, offering the same rigorous standards as US-based centres.
NCLEX Testing Locations in the UK
| City / Centre | Address | Nearest Transport | Parking Info | App Fee (USD) | Intl Surcharge (USD) | VAT (20%) | Total Fees (USD) | ATT Validity | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Docklands | 3 Quebec Wharf, 14 Thomas Rd, E14 7AF | Canada Water (Jubilee) & DLR | On-site (£10/day) | 200 | 150 | 30 | 380 | 90 days | Wheelchair access, quiet room |
| London Holborn | 190 High Holborn, WC1V 7BH | Holborn (Piccadilly / Central) | Street pay & display | 200 | 150 | 30 | 380 | 90 days | Step-free access, rest area |
| Horley (Gatwick) | 77 Victoria Rd, RH6 7QH | Gatwick Airport Station, buses | Airport long-stay car park | 200 | 150 | 30 | 380 | 90 days | Elevator access, private seating |
| Leeds | Gallery House, The Headrow, LS1 5RD | Leeds Station & city buses | Multi-storey (£12/day) | 200 | 150 | 30 | 380 | 90 days | Ramp entry, assistive tech |
| Leicester | Rutland Centre, 56 Halford St | Leicester Station & BRT buses | Nearby NCP (£8/day) | 200 | 150 | 30 | 380 | 90 days | Level entry, spacious seating |
| Edinburgh | Exchange Place 2, EH3 8HN | Waverley Station & Lothian buses | On-street metered | 200 | 150 | 30 | 380 | 90 days | Flat access, noise reduction |
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London Testing Centres
London Docklands
- Address: 3 Quebec Wharf, 14 Thomas Road, London E14 7AF
- Nearest Transport: Canada Water Station (Jubilee Line)
- Parking: Limited street parking; public transport recommended
- Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
London Holborn
- Address: 190 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BH
- Nearest Transport: Holborn Station (Central/Piccadilly Lines)
- Parking: NCP car parks nearby; congestion charge applies
- Facilities: Wheelchair accessible, quiet testing environment
Regional Testing Centres
Leeds Centre
- Address: Gallery House, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 5RD
- Transport: Leeds Railway Station (10-minute walk)
- Parking: Multi-storey car parks within 200 meters
- Local tip: Book morning slots to avoid city center traffic
Leicester Centre
- Address: Rutland Centre, 56 Halford Street, Leicester LE1 1TQ
- Transport: Leicester Railway Station (5-minute taxi ride)
- Parking: On-site parking available
Edinburgh Centre
- Address: Pearson Professional Centre, Exchange Place, Edinburgh EH3 8HN
- Transport: Edinburgh Waverley Station (15-minute walk)
- Parking: Princes Street parking meters nearby
Horley Centre (Surrey)
- Address: 77 Victoria Road, Horley RH6 7QH
- Transport: Horley Railway Station (3-minute walk)
- Parking: Free parking available
- Why choose Horley: Less crowded, easier access from Gatwick Airport
Booking Availability and Tips
Peak seasons (March-May, September-November) fill up quickly. Nigerian and Ghanaian nursing graduates typically book 60-90 days in advance during these periods.
Most centres offer:
- Computer-based testing with adaptive questioning
- Noise-reduction headphones available
- Climate-controlled environment
- Security lockers for personal items
How to Schedule and Prepare
Authorization to Test (ATT) Process
Your ATT arrives via email after your state nursing board approves your application. This authorization remains valid for 90 days from the issue date – not from when you receive it.
Step-by-step booking:
- Receive ATT email (contains your unique candidate ID)
- Visit Pearson VUE portal (pearsonvue.com/nclex)
- Select “United Kingdom” as testing country
- Choose your preferred centre and date
- Pay scheduling fee (separate from NCLEX registration fee)
- Print confirmation receipt
Scheduling Timeline
| Phase | Timeframe | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| ATT Received | Day 1 | Check validity period |
| Book Exam | Within 7 days | Secure preferred slot |
| Study Period | 30-60 days | Intensive preparation |
| Exam Day | Before ATT expires | Take NCLEX |
Phone booking option: Call +44 800 0934 520 for assistance or if online booking shows technical errors.
Required Documentation
Bring one primary ID that matches your ATT exactly:
- Valid passport (most reliable for international candidates)
- UK driving licence (photo card only)
- National identity card (EU/EEA residents)
Your signature on the ID must match your ATT signature. Mismatched names cause automatic test cancellation without refund.
Fees, Eligibility, and ATT Requirements
Complete Cost Breakdown
| Fee Type | Amount (USD) | Amount (GBP)* | When Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCLEX Application | $200 | £160 | To state board |
| International Scheduling | $150 | £120 | To Pearson VUE |
| UK VAT (20%) | $30 | £24 | Added automatically |
| Total | $380 | £304 | – |
*Exchange rates fluctuate; check current rates at booking
Additional Costs to Consider
- Rescheduling fee: £50 if changed less than 24 hours before test
- Travel to test centre: £20-150 depending on location
- Accommodation: £60-200 per night in major cities
- Study materials: £100-300 for comprehensive prep courses
Eligibility Requirements
Educational Prerequisites:
- Completed nursing degree from recognized institution
- Transcript evaluation by approved agency (CGFNS, IERF)
- English proficiency scores (if required by state board)
State Board Authorization:
- Applied for nursing license in chosen US state
- Met state-specific requirements for international graduates
- Received approval to test (ATT issued)
Financial Requirements:
- Payment methods accepted: Credit/debit cards, PayPal
- Currency: Fees charged in USD, converted at daily rates
- Refund policy: Full refund if cancelled 30+ days before test
- Hart, Victoria (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 227 Pages - 10/16/2024 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- Edu., PolyLearning (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 171 Pages - 03/05/2025 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- MS Publications (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 199 Pages - 02/28/2025 (Publication Date) - MS Publications (Publisher)
English Proficiency Considerations
Some US states require IELTS or TOEFL scores from international candidates. Popular choices for UK-based nurses:
- California: IELTS 7.0 overall, 6.5 minimum per band
- New York: TOEFL 84 iBT or IELTS 6.5 overall
- Texas: English proficiency waived for certain countries
- Florida: CGFNS certification meets English requirement
Check your chosen state’s current requirements before applying.
Travel, Transit, and Accessibility Tips
London Centre Access
Docklands Location:
- From Heathrow: Take Piccadilly Line to Green Park, change to Jubilee Line to Canada Water (75 minutes, £5.50)
- From Gatwick: Train to London Bridge, change to Jubilee Line (60 minutes, £17.20)
- Parking alternative: Use Canary Wharf public parking (£25/day), 10-minute walk
Holborn Location:
- From King’s Cross: Direct on Piccadilly Line (8 minutes, £2.80)
- From Victoria: Direct on Victoria Line to Oxford Circus, change to Central Line (15 minutes)
- Best approach: Arrive 45 minutes early due to busy central location
Regional Centre Transport
Leeds Access:
- From Manchester: Direct train (50 minutes, £15-35)
- From London: LNER train to Leeds (2.5 hours, £35-85)
- Local parking: Trinity Leeds car park (£12/day), 5-minute walk
Edinburgh Access:
- From Glasgow: ScotRail train (50 minutes, £15-25)
- From London: LNER sleeper or day train (4.5-8 hours, £45-150)
- Walking route: Princes Street to Exchange Place via George Street
Accessibility Services
All Pearson VUE centres provide:
- Wheelchair access with designated parking spaces
- Extra testing time (time-and-a-half, double time available)
- Screen magnification and high-contrast displays
- Separate testing rooms for candidates with special needs
- Reader services for visually impaired candidates
Request accommodations when booking through the “Special Accommodations” link on Pearson VUE portal. Documentation from healthcare provider required.
Day-of-Test Logistics
Arrival timing:
- Arrive 30 minutes before scheduled time
- Check-in process takes 15-20 minutes
- Late arrivals (15+ minutes) forfeit exam slot
Security procedures:
- Photo taken at check-in
- Digital signature required
- Palm vein scan for identity verification
- Metal detector screening
What to bring:
- Valid photo ID (matching ATT name exactly)
- Confirmation email printout
- Light jacket (testing rooms can be cool)
- Water bottle (stored in locker during test)
What’s prohibited:
- Mobile phones and smartwatches
- Study materials or notes
- Food and drinks in testing room
- Personal calculators (provided on screen)
Common Questions and Troubleshooting
ATT and Scheduling Issues
Q: My ATT expires in 10 days but no test slots are available. What can I do?
Contact your state nursing board immediately to request an ATT extension. Most boards grant 30-day extensions for scheduling conflicts, but you must request before expiration. Pearson VUE cannot extend ATTs – only your nursing board can authorize this.
Q: I need to reschedule my exam. What are the fees and deadlines?
- More than 24 hours before: No fee, unlimited changes
- Less than 24 hours before: £50 rescheduling fee
- Day of exam: No rescheduling allowed, full fee forfeited
Changes made through your Pearson VUE account take effect immediately.
Payment and Booking Problems
Q: My payment was declined but the exam slot is no longer available. Can I get it back?
Payment declines don’t hold exam slots. You’ll need to select a new available time. Check your card’s international transaction settings – many UK banks block overseas payments by default.
Q: The website shows “No appointments available” for all UK centres. Is this accurate?
This typically indicates:
- Peak booking period (check back daily for cancellations)
- Technical maintenance (try different browser or clear cache)
- Your ATT has expired or hasn’t been processed yet
Call Pearson VUE support at +44 800 0934 520 to verify system status.
Test Day Concerns
Q: What happens if I arrive at the wrong Pearson VUE centre?
You can only test at your scheduled location. Arriving at the wrong centre results in a “no-show” and you’ll forfeit your exam fee. Double-check your confirmation email for the correct address.
Q: Can I request a specific computer or seating arrangement?
Pearson VUE assigns testing stations randomly for security reasons. You cannot request specific seats, but can ask for accommodations during check-in if you have claustrophobia or other concerns.
Q: How long should I expect to be at the testing centre?
Budget 4-6 hours total:
- Check-in and orientation: 30 minutes
- Exam time: Up to 5 hours (varies by performance)
- Breaks: 2 optional breaks (bathroom/water only)
- Check-out: 10 minutes
Results and Next Steps
Q: When will I receive my NCLEX results?
Official results arrive within 6 business days directly from your state nursing board – not from Pearson VUE. Quick Results (unofficial) are available 48 hours after testing for an additional $8 fee through the Pearson VUE website.
Q: What if I don’t pass? When can I retake the exam?
Retake policies vary by state board:
- Most states: 45-day waiting period between attempts
- Some states: 90-day waiting period
- California: Additional coursework required after 3rd attempt
You’ll need a new ATT for each retake attempt.
Ready to book your NCLEX exam in the UK? Start by checking your ATT validity dates and comparing available slots across all six centres. London locations fill fastest, but regional centres often offer better parking and less crowded testing environments.
- Hart, Victoria (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 227 Pages - 10/16/2024 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- Edu., PolyLearning (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 171 Pages - 03/05/2025 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- MS Publications (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 199 Pages - 02/28/2025 (Publication Date) - MS Publications (Publisher)
Visit the official Pearson VUE website to secure your test slot, and join our community of 500+ international test-takers sharing real-time tips and success stories. Your US nursing career is just one exam away.
Need additional support? Download our free “NCLEX UK Centre Checklist” PDF for day-of-test reminders, parking maps, and contact numbers for each testing location. Take the next step toward your nursing career abroad – book your ATT slot today.