Become a Nurse in Missouri – Licensure & Requirements

Missouri Nursing Licensure At a Glance

• Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC): Yes — Missouri is a current NLC member state (NurseCompact.com implementation map).
• RN renewal cycle: Every 2 years; RN licenses expire April 30 of each odd-numbered year (20 CSR 2200-4.010).
• RN renewal fee: $85 (20 CSR 2200-4.010).
• LPN renewal cycle: Every 2 years; LPN licenses expire May 31 of each even-numbered year (20 CSR 2200-4.010).
• LPN renewal fee: $77 (20 CSR 2200-4.010).
• RN license by endorsement fee: $105 (20 CSR 2200-4.010).
• License verification / lookup: Missouri participates in Nursys e-Notify. Licensees receive renewal reminders and notification when a license is officially renewed or its status changes; verify a license at nursys.com.

^{Graduate-degree APRN roles require a qualifying master's or doctoral degree in the nursing specialty area (20 CSR 2200-4.100).}

Missouri Nursing Salaries

^{Nurse salaries above were retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Missouri, Kansas City, MO-KS, St. Louis, MO-IL, and Springfield, MO — May 2025 estimates, retrieved September 2026. Figures are annual mean wages; two cells remain “Not Available” because BLS does not separately publish that occupation/geography combination.}

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Missouri. The path you take will mostly depend upon the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Missouri, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Missouri nursing licensure. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in the healthcare sphere it’s difficult to stay current.If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Missouri, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

Missouri is a Nursing Licensure Compact state and is a current member under the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, according to the NurseCompact.com implementation map. Missouri’s original NLC membership took effect June 1, 2010, and Missouri moved to the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact when it took effect January 19, 2018. A Missouri-issued multistate license is valid for practice in other compact states, and a nurse holding an active license from another compact state generally does not need a separate Missouri license unless changing permanent residency to Missouri.

Missouri Nursing License FAQs

Is Missouri a Nurse Licensure Compact state?

Yes. Missouri is a current member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, with membership dating to the original compact’s June 1, 2010 effective date and continuing under the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact effective January 19, 2018 (NurseCompact.com implementation map), so a Missouri multistate RN or LPN license is valid for practice in other compact states.

How do I transfer my nursing license to Missouri?

If you already hold an equivalent license in another state, you may apply for Missouri licensure by endorsement (see the Endorsement details below for each license type). If you hold an active multistate license from another compact state, you generally do not need to apply for a separate Missouri license unless you are changing your permanent residency to Missouri.

How do I look up or verify a Missouri nursing license?

Missouri participates in Nursys e-Notify. Licensees are notified when their license is renewed or its status changes, and license status can be verified directly at nursys.com.

Prescriptive Authority in Missouri

According to the Rules of Department of Commerce and Insurance – State Board of Nursing General Rules (20 CSR 2200-4.200), an advanced practice registered nurse working under a collaborative practice arrangement may prescribe Schedule II-hydrocodone and Schedule III, IV, and V controlled substances. Schedule II-hydrocodone and Schedule III narcotic controlled substance prescriptions are limited to a 120-hour (5-day) supply without refill. As an exception, an APRN may prescribe buprenorphine (a Schedule III controlled substance) for up to a 30-day supply without refill for patients receiving medication-assisted treatment. This prescriptive authority may not be used to induce sedation or general anesthesia for a therapeutic, diagnostic or surgical procedure.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Missouri

APRNs in Missouri include nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialist.

Education: Graduate-Level Degree (Master’s or Doctoral) in Nursing Specialty Area (20 CSR 2200-4.100)

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Fees:

• $150 Application Fee (20 CSR 2200-4.010)
• A separate fingerprint/criminal background check fee applies; check the current amount with the Missouri Board of Nursing’s designated vendor when applying

Certification Required: National Certification as a Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, or Clinical Nurse Specialist

Additional Information: A current Missouri Registered Nurse license, or a current multistate RN license/privilege authorizing practice in Missouri, is required for application (20 CSR 2200-4.100).

Renewal: It is the APRN’s responsibility to send a copy of certification cards/letters to the board each time a national certification is renewed or a new certification is obtained. For an APRN whose practice is anchored to a Missouri RN license, there are no additional fees to pay outside of the registered nurse (RN) license renewal. An APRN practicing under an out-of-state multistate RN privilege instead pays an $85 APRN renewal fee (20 CSR 2200-4.010). A narrow grandfathered group — APRNs approved as noncertified before January 1, 2010 — must instead document at least 800 clinical practice hours and 60 contact hours of continuing education within the APRN specialty every 2 years to renew (20 CSR 2200-4.100).

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Registered Nurse (RN) in Missouri

Education: Completion of an Approved Registered Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

• $200 Examination Fee (20 CSR 2200-4.010)
• A separate fingerprint/criminal background check fee applies; check the current amount with the Missouri Board of Nursing’s designated vendor when applying

Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state may apply for Missouri licensure through endorsement, subject to a $105 application fee (20 CSR 2200-4.020). Registered nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Missouri, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Missouri.

Renewal: Renewal is $85 and is required by April 30 of each odd numbered year (20 CSR 2200-4.010). A nurse should renew at least 3 business days before the expiration date.

If you miss the renewal deadline: A license that is not renewed on time becomes lapsed. Reinstating a lapsed RN license requires completing a reinstatement application, submitting additional fees — $50 for each year the license was lapsed, on top of the standard renewal fee — and completing a new fingerprint background check (20 CSR 2200-4.010).

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Missouri

Education: Completion of an Approved Licensed Practical Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

• $200 Examination Fee (20 CSR 2200-4.010)
• A separate fingerprint/criminal background check fee applies; check the current amount with the Missouri Board of Nursing’s designated vendor when applying

Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state may apply for Missouri licensure through endorsement, subject to a $101 application fee (20 CSR 2200-4.020). Licensed practical nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Missouri, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Missouri.

Renewal: Renewal is $77 and is required by May 31 of each even numbered year (20 CSR 2200-4.010). A nurse should renew at least 3 business days before the expiration date.

If you miss the renewal deadline: A license that is not renewed on time becomes lapsed. Reinstating a lapsed LPN license requires completing a reinstatement application, submitting additional fees — $50 for each year the license was lapsed, on top of the standard renewal fee — and completing a new fingerprint background check (20 CSR 2200-4.010).

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information Disclosure:

Fee and renewal information on the above nursing careers in Missouri was retrieved from Missouri Board of Nursing and 20 CSR 2200-4, current as of September 2026.