Licensing authority
Missouri State Board of Nursing
Nursing licensure · NLC status table · EMS licensure
MO
Missouri
Does this state recognize my multistate license?
Multistate license recognizedMO
Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Missouri has implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN with an active multistate license from their primary state of residence may practice here without a Missouri license. The facility and contract still set their own credentialing requirements.
Supporting evidence and conditions
Missouri has implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN with an active multistate license from their primary state of residence may practice here without a Missouri license. The facility and contract still set their own credentialing requirements.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · verified 15 Oct 2026
- Law enacted
- Yes 2016 H.B. 1816 §B merged with S.B. 608 §B and S.B. 635 §C
- In force
- Yes since 20 Jul 2017
- Issuing multistate licenses
- Yes issuing multistate licenses since 19 Jan 2018
Each answer links to the state rule it comes from. Open “Source quotation” for the exact wording.
Licensing authority
Board contacts, official applications and governing rules.
Contact
- Phone
- 573.751.0681
- Fax
- 573.751.0075
- Address
- P.O. Box 656, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0656
Conditions & source context
Contact details from NCSBN’s official member directory.
Source quotation
Phone 573.751.0681 Fax 573.751.0075 Mailing Address P.O. Box 656 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0656
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
Governing law
Chapter 335, RSMo; 20 CSR 2200-4
Conditions & source context
Official nursing statute and administrative rules.
License requirements
License types, exams, expiration dates and multistate eligibility.
Licence types
RN
- State title
- Registered Professional Nurse
LPN
- State title
- Licensed Practical Nurse
APRN
- State title
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Source quotation
a license to practice nursing as an advanced practice registered nurse, a registered professional nurse, or a licensed practical nurse
revisor.mo.gov · State statute
Licence term
- Years
- 2
- Expires on
- The same date for everyone
- Fixed date
- RN/APRN: April 30 of odd-numbered years; LPN: May 31 of even-numbered years
Conditions & source context
20 CSR 2200-4.010(1)(H)4; stated recurring biennial schedule permits greater/lesser periods due to Board acts/policies. Printed PDF compilation dated 6/30/24. Quote from raw-order extraction; standard layout checker text interleaves columns and may not match.
Source quotation
shall be biennial, occurring on odd-numbered years and the license shall expire on April 30 of each odd-numbered year.
sos.mo.gov · State administrative code
NCLEX required to get licensed
Yes
Conditions & source context
RN examination rule explicitly names National Council Licensure Examination. LPN passing-designation requirement independently read in subsection (4)(B).
Source quotation
National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
sos.mo.gov · State administrative code
Working across state lines
Compact membership, license privileges and application requirements.
Can I take a contract on privilege alone
Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Conditions & source context
Missouri has implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN with an active multistate license from their primary state of residence may practice here without a Missouri license. The facility and contract still set their own credentialing requirements.
NLC law enacted
- Status
- Yes
- Citation
- 2016 H.B. 1816 §B merged with S.B. 608 §B and S.B. 635 §C
Conditions & source context
Statute contains enacted compact legislation. Enactment/signing date not inferred from the bills’ effective dates.
Source quotation
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 § B merged with S.B. 608 § B merged with S.B. 635 § C)
revisor.mo.gov · State statute
NLC law in force
- Status
- Yes
- Effective
20 Jul 2017
- Delayed clause
- Yes
- Clause
- December 31, 2018 or enactment by at least 26 states plus notification to revisor, whichever first
Conditions & source context
Actual compact effective date is explicitly stated in the Revisor’s Note; December 31, 2018 is the alternate trigger, not the realized effective date. This is separate from implementation.
Source quotation
The repeal of sections 335.300 to 335.355 and the enactment of sections 335.360 to 335.415 of this act shall become effective on December 31, 2018, or upon the enactment of sections 335.360 to 335.415 of this act by no less than twenty-six states and notification of such enactment to the revisor of statutes by the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators, whichever occurs first.
revisor.mo.gov · State statute
Issuing multistate licences
- Status
- Yes
- Connected
19 Jan 2018
Conditions & source context
Implementation date explicitly stated by Revisor and implementation table; current member status corroborated by NCSBN directory. No implementation date inferred from enactment.
Source quotation
The implementation date of the Compact is January 19, 2018.
revisor.mo.gov · State statute
Apply from another state
Eligibility, application fees, background checks and temporary licenses.
Endorsement available
Yes
Source quotation
335.051. Reciprocity - license without examination, temporary license, when.
revisor.mo.gov · State statute
What it is called
Licensure by Endorsement in Missouri—Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses
What you must provide
Equivalent qualifications at original licensure, with appropriate nursing program completion and licensing-exam result
English proficiency or credentials evaluation when applicable
Complete application and fee; application valid for one year
State and federal fingerprint or other biometric checks through Missouri State Highway Patrol
Official verification from all states and territories
Official nursing transcript or applicable credentials evaluation sent from source
Proof of U.S. citizenship, eligible alien status, or lawful presence
Conditions & source context
RN/LPN; 20 CSR 2200-4.020(5). Raw-order extraction preserves complete subsection order. Printed compilation dated 6/30/24; Board application details may add applicant-specific documents.
Source quotation
administered through the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
sos.mo.gov · State administrative code
Application fee
- Amount
- RN
- 105
- LPN
- 101
- Per
- application
- Non-refundable
- Yes
Conditions & source context
20 CSR 2200-4.010(1)(C)-(D), final amendment effective May 30, 2024. Lapsed-license and outbound verification fees are excluded from application extras. Fingerprint charges unverified.
Source quotation
Application for License by Endorsement-RN $105
sos.mo.gov · State administrative code
Background check
- Required
- Yes
- State check
- Yes
- FBI check
- Yes
Conditions & source context
20 CSR 2200-4.020(5)(B)2. Rule permits other biometric checks; vendor, charge, and out-of-state instructions held.
Source quotation
administered through the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
sos.mo.gov · State administrative code
Temporary licence
- Available
- Yes
- Statutory max months
- 12
- Rule permit months
- 6
- Fee
- 0
- Reissuable
- No
Conditions & source context
Statute §335.051 effective Aug28,2023 permits at most 12 months and no reissue/charge. Rule 20 CSR 2200-4.020(6)(A) describes a six-month permit. A six-month issued term can fit the statutory ceiling; actual current Board-issued term and eligibility remain unconfirmed. Do not promise twelve months.
Source quotation
Upon application, the board shall issue a temporary permit to an applicant pursuant to subsection 1 of this section for a license as an advanced practice registered nurse, a registered professional nurse, or a licensed practical nurse who has made a prima facie showing that the applicant meets all of the requirements for such a license. The temporary permit shall be effective only until the board shall have had the opportunity to investigate his or her qualifications for licensure pursuant to subsection 1 of this section and to notify the applicant that his or her application for a license has been either granted or rejected. In no event shall such temporary permit be in effect for more than twelve months after the date of its issuance nor shall a permit be reissued to the same applicant. No fee shall be charged for such temporary permit.
revisor.mo.gov · State statute
Renewal and education
Renewal dates, required education and reinstatement options.
Renewal interval (years)
2
Conditions & source context
RN/APRN renewal is due April 30 in odd years; LPN renewal is due May 31 in even years, subject to Board exceptions.
Source quotation
shall be biennial, occurring on odd-numbered years
sos.mo.gov · State administrative code
If your licence lapses
RN/LPN license lapses if not renewed before expiry; no practice while lapsed. Renewal application, state/federal biometric check and lawful-presence evidence required; employer statements apply if practicing during lapse. At three or more years, Board may require appearance, examination or proof of regular licensed practice elsewhere.
Conditions & source context
The Board determines the applicable reinstatement route.
Source quotation
(10) Lapsed Licenses, When-Procedures for Reinstatement.
sos.mo.gov · State administrative code
License verification
Official license-verification links and the information available from each source.
Ask the board of nursing
Missouri's published rules don't answer these. Ask before you apply — pr.mo.gov.
- Licensing portal. Where do I submit a nursing application in Missouri?
- Multistate licences issued. Does Missouri issue multistate licences?
- Jurisprudence exam. Does Missouri require a jurisprudence or ethics exam?
- Criminal-history requirements. What criminal-history requirements apply to nursing licensure in Missouri?
- Conditions for privilege. What do I have to satisfy for multistate privilege to apply in Missouri?
- Where to apply. Where do I start an endorsement application for Missouri?
- How long it takes. How long will Missouri take to process my application?
- Renewal competency and CE. Which continuing-education or competency requirements apply in Missouri?
- State-specific requirements. What does Missouri require at renewal that other states do not?
- Licence lookup. Where do I look up a Missouri licence and its discipline history?