NCA Exam Cost 2026: Full Breakdown of All Fees
Complete guide to NCA exam costs in 2026 — assessment fees, challenge exam fees, LRW course, and the total you should budget.
The short answer: Budget at least $3,000–$4,500 CAD for the NCA process if you sit 5 mandatory subjects plus an LRW course. The main costs: $400 assessment, $500 per exam (×5 = $2,500), plus $375 LRW. Taxes and potential resit fees add to this total.
Official NCA fee schedule 2026
| Fee Item | Cost (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NCA Assessment | $400 + tax | One-time, due on application |
| Per Challenge Exam | $500 + tax | Due at registration (per subject) |
| LRW Course (CPLED) | $375 | If assigned; completed online |
| Assessment appeal fee | $285 + tax | Only if you appeal your assessment result |
| Exam appeal fee | $250 + tax | Per exam, only if you appeal a failed result |
| Exam cancellation fee | $100 + tax | Per exam cancelled; cancellation does NOT use an attempt |
| Total (5 subjects, no resits) | ~$3,275 + tax | Mandatory subjects only |
Fees verified from nca.legal as of March 2026. Always check nca.legal for the most current fees before applying.
When do you pay each fee?
The assessment fee ($400 + tax) is paid when you submit your initial application to the NCA. This fee covers the evaluation of your foreign credentials and the assignment of your required subjects.
The challenge exam fee ($500 + tax per subject) is paid when you register for each individual exam. You register for exams separately, so you can spread the cost over multiple exam cycles.
The LRW course fee ($375) is paid when you register for the CPLED Legal Research and Writing course, if it is assigned.
Are NCA fees tax-deductible?
NCA exam fees may be deductible as employment expenses or educational expenses depending on your specific tax situation. Consult a Canadian tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances. Keep all receipts and confirmation emails from the NCA.
What if you need to resit?
Each resit costs an additional $500 CAD + taxes. There is no limit on resits, but each attempt adds to your total cost. This is why thorough preparation matters — the cost of failing once and resitting can exceed the cost of quality preparation materials.
Compare: resit fee ($500 + taxes) vs NCA Hub notes per subject ($175). The maths is clear.
Use the NCA Cost Calculator
Our free NCA Cost Calculator lets you model your total cost based on the number of subjects assigned, whether you need the LRW course, and how many resits you might need. It also shows the total cost including GST/HST for your province.
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Plan your total NCA cost with our free calculator.
NCA Cost Calculator →Written by
Kartik Kumar
Indian and UK-qualified lawyer. Passed all 5 NCA subjects — 4 cleared in under 3 months. First exam (Administrative Law) prepared in 7 days. Founder of The NCA Hub.
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