Missouri Nursing License Requirements: RN, LPN

Overview

The mission of the Missouri State Board of Nursing is to protect the public by development and enforcement of state laws governing the safe practice of nursing. The NPA exists to govern and regulate the profession of licensed nurses, set standards for the approval of nursing schools in Missouri, determine the scope of practice of licensed nurses, and define who may use the title of registered nurse (R.N.) and licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.) within the State of Missouri. Rules are promulgated to provide guidance for the Board to carry out the mandate of the NPA.

Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure by Examination

Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:

• Submit a signed, notarized and completed application form.
• Attach one 2” x 2” photograph.
• Submit a non-refundable fee of $45.00 in the form of money order, cashier’s check or personal check made payable to the “Missouri State Board of Nursing”.
• Submit fingerprints for criminal background check (see instructions mentioned in the application form for submitting your fingerprints).
• Send completed application with all required documents to:

Missouri State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 656
Jefferson City, Missouri-65102-0656

• Register with NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) online and pay the $200.00 registration fee. Applicants can register anywhere between 3 months and 4 weeks prior to graduation dates.
• 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.
• Upon receiving the ATT, schedule the licensure exam.

Foreign educated applicants should also submit appropriate credentials.

For more information about the RN examination process, click here.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Examination

Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:

• Submit a signed, notarized and completed application form.
• Attach one 2” x 2” photograph.
• Submit a non-refundable fee of $41.00 in the form of money order, cashier’s check or personal check made payable to the “Missouri State Board of Nursing”.
• Submit fingerprints for criminal background check (see instructions mentioned in the application form for submitting your fingerprints).
• Send completed application with all required documents to:

Missouri State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 656
Jefferson City, Missouri-65102-0656

• Register with NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) online and pay the $200.00 registration fee. Applicants can register anywhere between 3 months and 4 weeks prior to graduation dates.
• 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.
• Upon receiving the ATT, schedule the licensure exam.

Foreign educated applicants should also submit appropriate credentials.

For more information about the LPN examination process, click here.

Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure by Endorsement

Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:

• Submit a signed, notarized and completed application form.
• Submit a non-refundable fee of $55.00 in the form of money order, cashier’s check or personal check made payable to the “Missouri State Board of Nursing”.
• Have your license verified by your original state of licensure. Go to nursys.com and click on Get a License Verified.
• Request that your nursing education program submit an official final transcript. The transcript must include your current name, date of completion, degree or diploma awarded, signature if the director/registrar and the school seal or stamp.
• Submit fingerprints for criminal background check (see instructions mentioned in the application form for submitting your fingerprints).
• Foreign Educated Nurses – If you were licensed by examination in another state or territory and you received your nursing education outside of the United States, in Puerto Rico or in Canada, you need to have a credentials evaluation service, approved by the board, send a course-by-course evaluation report or have the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) send your CGFNS certificate.
• California Registered Nurses – If your original license was issued using the “30 Unit Option”, you do not qualify for licensure in Missouri, unless you have since graduated from an accredited school of nursing with a degree or diploma. A transcript from the approved school of nursing must be submitted to the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

For more information about RN endorsement, click here.

• Send completed application with all required documents to:

Missouri State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 656
Jefferson City, Missouri-65102-0656

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Endorsement

Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:

• Submit a signed, notarized and completed application form.
• Submit a non-refundable fee of $51.00 in the form of money order, cashier’s check or personal check made payable to the “Missouri State Board of Nursing”.
• Have your license verified by your original state of licensure. Go to nursys.com and click on Get a License Verified.
• Request that your nursing education program submit an official final transcript. The transcript must include your current name, date of completion, degree or diploma awarded, signature if the director/registrar and the school seal or stamp.
• Submit fingerprints for criminal background check (see instructions mentioned in the application form for submitting your fingerprints).
• Foreign Educated Nurses – If you were licensed by examination in another state or territory and you received your nursing education outside of the United States, in Puerto Rico or in Canada, you need to have a credentials evaluation service, approved by the board, send a course-by-course evaluation report or have the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) send your CGFNS certificate.
• Send completed application with all required documents to:

Missouri State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 656
Jefferson City, Missouri-65102-0656

For more information about LPN endorsement, click here.

Click here for fees.

Click here to view some FAQ.

For more information visit the official Missouri State Board of Nursing website.

References:

http://pr.mo.gov/nursing-licensure.asp