State Examination Fees 2026
State Examination entry fees have been reintroduced for the 2026 examinations.
The fees remain the same as when they were last charged in 2019 and have not increased since 2012. The fees are as follows:
- Leaving Certificate / Leaving Certificate Applied: €116
- Junior Cycle: €109
- Repeat Leaving Certificate (school candidates): €301
Students who hold a full medical card, or who are covered under a parent or guardian’s full medical card, are exempt from paying the examination fee. Please note that GP Visit Cards do not qualify for this exemption. Medical cards must be valid between the 1st of January 2026 and the 30th of April 2026.You will need to apply for this exemption from fees using the information below. The State Examinations Commission has no way of knowing if a student holds a full medical card unless you inform them.
Parents/guardians will need to pay the fee or apply for an exemption through the State Examinations Commission (SEC) Online Fee Service, which will open at 2:00 pm on Thursday, 19 March 2026 and will close on Thursday, 30 April 2026.
SEC Online Fee Service – How to Pay Fees or apply for an exemption
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has a facility to allow candidates, or their parent/guardian, to pay examination fees or to apply for an exemption from fees.
- The Online Fee service is open at https://fees.examinations.ie/
- The closing date for the payment of examination fees or making an application for a medical card exemption is 30 April 2026.
- Students have already received an individual letter containing the login details required to access the SEC Online Fee Service.
Please note that all candidates must pay the examination fee unless they qualify for an exemption. Failure to do so may result in the withholding of the final examination certificate.
The school does not have any involvement with the payment of exam fees or exemptions on grounds of a medical card. We simply relay/transmit information between the SEC and parents/candidates. If you experience any difficulty using the online service, you may contact the SEC Fees Section at fees@examinations.ie for assistance.