How to get a Registered Nurse (R.N.) license in Mississippi

Who needs a Registered Nurse (R.N.) license

Performance for compensation of services requiring substantial knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences and nursing theory, for assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation; includes administration, teaching, counseling, delegation and supervision, and carrying out the medical regimen.¹

Requirements for a Registered Nurse (R.N.) license

Education or training

Completion of a nursing program approved by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, or by the accrediting agency of another state, territory or a foreign country satisfactory to the Board; official transcript sent directly by the school.⁴
Who may teach it: State-accredited Mississippi RN program, or another state-approved US/territory program substantially equal to Mississippi content.²
Alternative: Graduates of programs outside the US and territories: CGFNS certification, English competence and a board-approved program transcript in English or certified translation.²

Exam

NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses)²
Given by: Pearson VUE⁶
Passing score: Standard score recommended by NCSBN and adopted by the board (results are pass/fail).²
When you can take it: Apply for licensure by examination online, have the school send the official transcript after the degree is conferred, and register with Pearson VUE; the Authorization to Test (ATT) is emailed after the Board reviews the transcript. You may sit the NCLEX before the background check is finished, but no license issues until it is complete.⁶
Retakes: Retest after 45 days: file a new licensure-by-examination application with the $100 repeat fee, register again with Pearson VUE; up to six attempts within two years of graduation.⁷
Time limit: Must pass within six attempts and within two years of graduation.²
Exam waived: Graduates of nursing programs outside the US and its territories must also show CGFNS certification, English competence (if English is not the first language) and immigration status.²

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
Board investigation of good moral character and statutory grounds for denial (Miss. Code Ann. 73-15-29 / 73-15-33); applicants answering yes to discipline questions upload explanations and documents.⁴

Residency or citizenship

Applicants educated abroad must show they meet immigration requirements; a Mississippi multistate license requires Mississippi as primary state of residence (proof such as MS driver license, voter registration or federal tax return).⁵

Social Security number

A valid Social Security Number is required to complete the application.⁴

Also required

An application and its fee remain valid for one year; after that the process starts again with a new fee.²

Also required

Evidence of continuing basic nursing competence is required if the applicant has not practiced nursing in the five years before applying.²

How much a Registered Nurse (R.N.) license costs

You pay MSBN (12 fees) and Pearson VUE (exam fee).

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Create a Nurse Gateway account, choose Licensure by Examination and submit the online application with the $100 RN fee (do not send documents before applying and paying).⁴ gateway.licensure.msbn.ms.gov⁴
2. Have your nursing school send the official transcript (degree conferred and graduation date) by Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse or mail; applicants cannot send it themselves.⁴
3. After submitting the application, register for the MSBN criminal background check ($75) and either book fingerprinting at the Board office or ask for a mailed card.⁴
4. Register for the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE ($200); the ATT arrives after the Board reviews your transcript.⁶
5. Optional: once the transcript is reviewed, new graduates may apply in the Gateway for a $25, 90-day single-state temporary permit (work under RN or physician supervision).⁸
6. Pass the NCLEX-RN; the license issues once the background check is complete. Track outstanding items on the Gateway checklist.⁶

Apply online

gateway.licensure.msbn.ms.gov⁴

Temporary or provisional license

New graduates (graduated within the last three months) may hold a 90-day single-state temporary permit ($25) under RN/physician supervision; it becomes invalid on NCLEX failure or if the NCLEX is not taken within 90 days, and cannot be renewed or extended.⁸

Processing time

No timetable; licenses issue when all requirements are complete, first in, first out. Transcripts are reviewed within 7 business days of receipt.⁶

Renewal and continuing education

How often

Every 2 years²

Renewal fee

$100³

Approved courses

When required (no practice in five years): a board-approved reorientation program, or 20 contact hours of nursing CE from a recognized credentialing agency within two years, or 3 semester hours of nursing credit within two years.²

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $150⁸ (renewing February 1–June 30 after expiry)

If it expires

Unrenewed licenses lapse; practicing on a lapsed license is illegal. Late renewal runs to June 30 with administrative fees; after that a reinstatement application ($100 + $75 CBC) is needed.²
Inactive status: written request and fee; the title "RN-I" may be used and the holder may not practice.²

Renew online

gateway.licensure.msbn.ms.gov⁸

Moving to Mississippi with a license from another state

These are the routes MSBN publishes for the Registered Nurse (R.N.) license.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a registered nurse in Mississippi, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Mississippi is on the Mississippi license lookup page.

Look up a license

gateway.licensure.msbn.ms.gov⁹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Miss. Code Ann. 73-15-3, 73-15-5 (license requirement, definitions)
• Miss. Code Ann. 73-15-19
• Miss. Code Ann. 73-15-27 (license renewal)
• Miss. Code Ann. 73-15-201 (Nurse Licensure Compact)
• 30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2810 (Examinations and Licensure)
• 30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2880

Common questions

Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

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