A Guide to Nursing Licenses and Renewals in Missouri

Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Missouri

Living and working in Missouri has so many advantages! Located right in the center of the country, it’s easy to get wherever you want to go, and solid wages combined with a low cost of living makes achieving your dreams a real possibility.

In this article, we will cover:

• How to get your Missouri nursing license by exam
• How to get your license by endorsement
• How to renew your Missouri nursing license
• Licensing fees
• Continuing education requirements
• How to contact the Missouri Board of Nursing

How to get your Missouri nursing license by examination

Step 1: Education

Missouri accepts applicants for licensure by examination from nurses who’ve attended programs within the state and from those educated out of state. Whether you earned your nursing degree online or in person, at a two-year Associate’s degree program or spent four years on a college campus, your accredited nursing education is the key to a rewarding career.

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.

Step 2: Apply

Missouri’s application for nurse licensure is a paper form that must be completed, notarized, and submitted by mail along with all required supporting documentation to:

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

No documents will be accepted from the applicant electronically.

There is no application fee for individuals applying for licensure for the first time.

Applications must include proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the form of copies of a U.S. birth certificate, passport, or other official documents.

You also must register to take the NCLEX exam and pay the registration fee of $200. You can do this online at Pearson VUE or by phone at 1-866-496-2539. It is recommended that you do this 3-4 weeks before your graduation date.

Graduates of nursing programs are able to practice as a graduate nurse until the results of the first licensure exam have been received, or until 90 days after graduation, whichever comes first.

Step 3: Submit Transcripts

All applicants for nurse licensure by examination need to request an official transcript from their nursing program. The transcript must show the degree awarded and completion/graduation date. They can be sent directly to the Board of Nursing via Parchment, Credentials Solution, eSCRIP-SAFE, or National Student Clearinghouse to [email protected]

Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)

All applicants for a Missouri nursing license must submit to a criminal background check. For in-state applicants, this process requires going to this website and registering using the four-digit registration number 0001. The name, date of birth, and Social Security number information that you enter on this registration must match what you used to fill out your licensure application.

Out-of-state applicants can use the IdentoGO Cardscan process. This requires having your fingerprints taken by a local law enforcement agency or other entity that provides fingerprinting services using either traditional ink or LiveScan fingerprints printed on a FBI FD-258 fingerprint card. Be sure to inform the technician capturing your fingerprints that Missouri requires that fingers be placed vertically, straight up and down when capturing the four finger slaps. Each finger and thumb will also need to be rolled completely from one side of the fingernail to the other side when capturing individual fingers.

Once demographic data has been filled out and fingerprints have been captured on a fingerprint card, enroll on the MACHS system. You will be routed to the IdentoGO website for selection of Fingerprint Card processing. Once you have paid the processing fees you will receive a pre-enrollment confirmation page. Print and sign this page, which includes a barcode. Mail the signed pre-enrollment confirmation page and the completed fingerprint card to:

IdentoGO
Cardscan Department – Missouri Program
340 Seven Springs Way, Suite 250
Brentwood, TN 37027

Step 5: Take the NCLEX

Once your application is complete and all required materials have been received, the Missouri Board of Nursing will contact Pearson VUE and notify them that you are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam. You will receive an Authorization to Test at the email address that you provided. Follow instructions from the candidate bulletin for scheduling your exam.

The NCLEX-RN is the last step on your journey to becoming a registered nurse. It is a standardized test that confirms you have retained and understand the information taught during your nursing program. Topics covered include:

• Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Management of Care  
• Safety and Infection Control 
• Health Promotion and Maintenance 
• Psychosocial Integrity 
• Physiological Integrity 
• Basic Care and Comfort 
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 
• Physiological Adaptation

Exam results are generally received by email within three business days of taking the test. The state does not issue a licensure card.If you need information about your license, visit the Licensure QuickConfirm page at www.nursys.com. Click on Look Up a License to get started. You can print a report that will show your license number, original issue date, expiration date, whether you have a multistate or single state license and discipline status. Please direct current or future employers to www.nursys.com to verify your license.

If you fail the NCLEX exam, you must fill out this form, have it notarized, and submit it with a $40 registration fee to:

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

You must wait 46 days from the last time you took the NCLEX to take it again. Retaking the examination requires registering at Pearson VUE again and paying the $200 fee.

Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)

Nurses who are licensed in another state can apply for a Missouri registered nurse license by endorsement. To begin this process, enroll in the NURSYS e-Notify system at www.nursys.com/enotify. If you qualify you will receive notification that you have been approved for a temporary permit and subsequent license through this system.

Complete, sign and have this application notarized and submit the application with a $105 fee paid via check or money order made payable to Missouri State Board of Nursing. The application should be submitted to:

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

In order to get your license by endorsement, you must: 

• Submit evidence of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence.
• Submit to a criminal background check. In-state applicants can visit this website and register using the four-digit registration number 0001. The name, date of birth, and Social Security number information that you enter on this registration must match what you used to fill out your licensure application.
  • Out-of-state applicants can use the IdentoGO Cardscan process. This requires having your fingerprints taken by a local law enforcement agency or other entity that provides fingerprinting services using either traditional ink or LiveScan fingerprints printed on a FBI FD-258 fingerprint card. Be sure to inform the technician capturing your fingerprints that Missouri requires that fingers be placed vertically, straight up and down when capturing the four finger slaps. Each finger and thumb will also need to be rolled completely from one side of the fingernail to the other side when capturing individual fingers.
• Once demographic data has been filled out and fingerprints have been captured on a fingerprint card, enroll on the MACHS system. You will be routed to the IdentoGO website for selection of Fingerprint Card processing. Once you have paid the processing fees you will receive a pre-enrollment confirmation page. Print and sign this page, which includes a barcode. Mail the signed pre-enrollment confirmation page and the completed fingerprint card to:      

IdentoGO
Cardscan Department – Missouri Program
340 Seven Springs Way, Suite 250
Brentwood, TN 37027

• Request verification of your nursing license from the state where you were originally licensed and any other states where you held a nursing license. If these states participate with the NURSYS system, request verification through their website. If you were licensed in a non-participating state, contact the Board of Nursing and ask them to submit verification of your license to the Missouri Board of Nursing at:

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

• Request an official final transcript from your nursing program. The transcript must show the degree awarded and completion/graduation date. Electronic transcripts can be sent directly from Parchment, Credentials Solutions, eSCRIP-SAFE or National Student Clearinghouse to [email protected] 

How to renew your Missouri nursing license

Step 1: When to submit your renewal application

Missouri’s registered nursing licenses expire on April 30^th of each odd-numbered year. Nurses licensed in the state are asked to enroll in the NURSYS system’s e-Notify program at www.nursys.com/enotify. Doing so ensures that you will receive license renewal reminders, as well as notifications of any changes to your license or discipline status.

License renewal directions are emailed three months prior to the expiration date. There is no grace period to renew. If you have not renewed three days prior to the expiration date your license will lapse and you will be required to complete a reinstatement application.

Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements

Missouri does not currently require nurses to fulfill any continuing competency requirements.

Step 3: Submit your renewal application

The notification that you receive through the eNotify service will provide instructions for renewal and a copy of the state’s Petition for License Renewal form. This needs to be completed, signed, and notarized, then returned with the $60 renewal fee to:

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

Missouri nursing licensing fees

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Missouri whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Missouri from another state. For more information visit the Missouri licensing page.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

• NLCEX fee: $200
• Application fee: $0 (for first-time application)
• Criminal background check fee: $41.75

Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):

• Application fee: $105 (RN); $101 (LPN); $150 (APRN)
• Criminal background check fee: $41.75

License renewal fees:

• Applicaiton fees: $60 (RN); $52 (LPN)

Missouri is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.

*Fees are subject to change.

Continuing education requirements

RN: None

LPN: None

APRN: None

How to contact the Missouri Board of Nursing

Missouri Board of Nursing
Phone: (573) 751-0681
Fax: (573) 751-0075

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp

Mailing address:
PO Box 656
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0656

Physical address:
3605 Missouri Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65109

More Missouri Resources

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