Yes, you must pay the full exam fee each time you retake the TEAS. There is no free retake option offered by ATI, the organization that develops and administers the test. Each attempt—whether it is your first, second, or third—is treated as a separate registration and requires payment.
The cost to retake the TEAS typically ranges from $75 to $130, depending on the testing institution or proctoring method. Some nursing schools include the fee in their application or testing center package, while others require direct payment to ATI or a third party proctoring service.
Additionally, most nursing programs enforce a waiting period—usually 30 to 90 days—between attempts, and each retake must be scheduled and paid for individually. All scores from each paid attempt are reported to the schools you designate, so it is important to prepare thoroughly before retesting.
In summary, every TEAS retake incurs the full registration fee, so strategic preparation and targeted review are essential to maximize your score on each attempt and avoid unnecessary expenses.