Overview
The Mississippi Board of Nursing is a consumer protection agency with authority to regulate the practice of nursing through licensure as provided by the Mississippi State Code.
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License by Examination
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Submit completed licensure application form.
Note: Incomplete applications will be returned.
- If your primary state of residence participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), then you are required to apply for licensure in that particular state. You can view the list of NLC states at https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm.
- Pay appropriate fees. Make check or money order payable to the Mississippi Board of Nursing. Include your social security number and phone number on your payment. Fees are non-refundable.
- Submit the completed application with the required fee to the Board of Nursing at the following mailing address:
Attn: Examination
Mississippi Board of Nursing
713 Pear Orchard Road,
Suite 300, Ridgeland, MS 39157
- Register and complete a criminal background check.
- Provide evidence of completion of nursing program.
- Graduates of accredited Mississippi programs and approved out-of-state or U.S. territory programs must have the Registrar send an official final transcript directly to the Mississippi Board of Nursing indicating degree earned and date program completed.
- Applicants who have met all requirements for graduation but who have not formally graduated may have the Registrar submit official documentation (letterhead with school seal) of eligibility to graduate. An official transcript must follow within 30 days of graduation.
- Complete and notarize the attached Authorization to Release Information form and return with application.
- If requesting special accommodation, complete the Special Accommodation Request for NCLEX Candidates form and submit it along with the examination application.
- Register with the testing agency before or just after submitting the licensure application to take the licensure test, NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination). You may use any of the following ways to complete the registration:
- Register online. The registration fee of $200 can be paid via American Express, Visa, or MasterCard. OR
- By mail: You may request the Board of Nursing office to send an NCLEX registration form. Provide essential details in the form and include an appropriate fee of $200.00 in the form of a money order or cashiers check made payable to the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing). Mail it to the following address:
NCLEX Operations
Post Office Box 64950
St. Paul, Minnesota- 55164-0950
- When all your essential documents are approved, the Board will inform the testing agency, Pearson VUE, making you eligible to take the licensure exam.
- Pearson VUE will send you an ATT (Authorization to Test) via email or on the address provided by you during the registration process.
- Graduates of Registered Nursing Programs selecting to take the NCLEX-PN must complete a Role Delineation course. The fee is $50.00. Contact the Board office for additional information.
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES OF FOREIGN NURSING PROGRAMS must meet immigration requirements, submit official verification of evaluation of nursing education and credentials by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), and must meet the Board’s qualification requirements. International applicants should follow the instructions as presented herein. In lieu of a transcript submitted from the nursing program, international nursing graduates must:
- Have a valid social security number.
- Submit evidence of nursing education and credential evaluation from CGFNS. An original copy of the report must be sent directly to the Board of Nursing. Copies of reports and/or transcripts submitted from the nursing program will not be accepted by the Board. The Board does not evaluate transcripts. Associated fees and expenses for evaluation services are at the expense of the applicant and should be paid directly to CGFNS.
- Request a CES Professional report if you are a graduate of an English speaking program.
- Request a CP report if you are a graduate of a non-English speaking program.
- Go to cgfns.org to request reports, more information, and questions regarding the evaluation process.
For more information about the examination process, click here.
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Endorsement
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Submit completed licensure application form.
- Application must be signed, dated and notarized, and sent to the following address:
Mississippi Board of Nursing
713 Pear Orchard Road, Suite 300
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 957-6300
- Attach, with transparent tape, a signed and dated 2” x 2” passport type photograph. Snapshots are NOT acceptable.
- Pay appropriate fees. Include your phone number and social security number on your payment. Note: Fees are nonrefundable.
- Indicate your primary state of residence. If your primary state of residence is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), you will not need to apply for licensure by endorsement unless you are moving to and/or declaring Mississippi as your primary state of residence. A complete listing of NLC states is available at ncsbn.org. If you are a resident of a non-compact state you may apply for licensure and will be issued a single state license by Mississippi.
- Complete affidavit.
- Provide verification of your original licensure:
- You may verify online at nursys.com if your original state of licensure participates on the Nursys website. The Board will verify the information directly through NURSYS.
- If the state is not listed, submit the notarized “Verification of Original Licensure” form to the licensing organization of that state where you were originally certified. Provide your current address, full name and original license number.
- Submit an Official Transcript of basic nursing education directly to the Mississippi Board of Nursing from the nursing school. The transcript must indicate date of program completion or date of graduation, and degree conferred. A transcript submitted by the applicant is NOT acceptable. The Board does not evaluate transcripts.
- International/Foreign Educated Applicants: Submit evidence of nursing education and credential evaluation by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). An original of the report must be sent to the Board of Nursing directly from CGFNS. Request a CES Professional report if you are a graduate of an English speaking program. Request a CP report if you are a graduate of a non-English speaking program. Go to cgfns.org to request reports, more information, and questions regarding the evaluation process.
- Complete the Authorization to Release Information form and submit with application.
Note: Evidence of continuing nursing competencies must be provided when the Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse has not practiced nursing within the five (5) year period immediately prior to application. Contact the Board office for available options.
For more information about the licensure endorsement process, click here.
For more information visit the official Mississippi Board of Nursing website.