How to register for the NCLEX in Mississippi

To work as an RN in Mississippi you license with the Mississippi Board of Nursing through its Nurse Gateway (US$100), register for the Board's own fingerprint criminal background check (US$75), have your registrar send the final transcript after you apply, and register with Pearson VUE. You may test up to six times within two years of graduation, the application is valid one year, and a new ATT arrives within seven business days. Mississippi is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.

✓ Checked against MSBN's official pages on October 7, 2026

At a glance

BoardMississippi Board of Nursing (MSBN)

ExamNCLEX-RN, through Pearson VUE (US$200)

Application feeUS$100, non-refundable; the same for each repeat

Background checkUS$75, only the Board's own fingerprint CBC is accepted

Attemptsup to six within two years of graduation

CompactYes, since January 19, 2018

Steps Educated outside the US Documents Fees How long it takes Questions Official links

The steps, in order (graduates of a Mississippi program)

Tick each step as you finish it; your progress is saved on this device.

7 steps

Create a Nurse Gateway profile and submit the Licensure by Examination application (US$100)Register on the Gateway, select Applications, declare your primary state of residence (compact-state residents must apply at home) and pay US$100 by card. You may apply up to three months before graduation.MSBN: licensure by examination instructions (PDF) →
Register for the Board's criminal background check (US$75)After the application is in, click the CBC box in your Gateway, register in exactly the name on your application, and book fingerprinting or request a mailed card. Only the fingerprints and CBC performed by the Mississippi Board of Nursing are accepted. Repeat candidates printed within the last two years skip this.MSBN: what is licensure by examination →
Your registrar sends the final transcript after you applyAn official final transcript showing degree and completion date, by Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse (transcripts@msbn.ms.gov) or mail from the registrar; never from you. Not yet formally graduated? The registrar can send an eligibility-to-graduate letter, with the transcript within 30 days.
Register with Pearson VUE (US$200)A US$50 change fee applies if you later change the state or exam type. The ATT is emailed within seven business days of eligibility.Pearson VUE: NCLEX →
Write the NCLEX-RN; six attempts within two yearsSince 2011 candidates may take the NCLEX a maximum of six times and within two years of graduation; each retake needs a new application to the Board (US$100) and to Pearson VUE, with 45 days between attempts. Results show in the Gateway or by mail.What to bring on exam day →
Licence within 10 business days of a complete fileOnce every requirement is met you can be licensed within 10 business days (the Board sets no timetable). Mississippi lists no temporary permit for exam candidates; its temporary permits are for endorsement, reorientation and camp nursing.MSBN: fees (PDF) →
Application valid one yearIf you are not scheduled for the exam within a year you submit a new application, fee and documents. Renewal is US$100; changing a single-state licence to multistate costs US$25.

If you were educated outside the United States

The exam is the same; the path to being allowed to write it is longer. These are the extra steps.

2 steps

CGFNS evaluation sent directly to the BoardA CES Professional report for graduates of English-language programs or a Certification Program (CP) report for non-English programs, original and direct from CGFNS; the Board does not evaluate transcripts itself. A valid Social Security number and proof of meeting immigration requirements are required.CGFNS: CES Professional report →
Application (US$100), Board CBC (US$75), Pearson VUESame Gateway steps. Pearson VUE: US$200, plus US$150 to test outside the US. International graduates have the same six attempts within two years of graduation; after two years, one further test only.MSBN: licensure by examination instructions (PDF) →

Documents to have ready

Nurse Gateway Licensure by Examination application and US$100
Board criminal background check registration and fingerprints (US$75)
Official final transcript sent by the registrar after you apply (or eligibility-to-graduate letter followed by the transcript within 30 days)
Pearson VUE registration (US$200)
Special Accommodation Request for NCLEX Candidates, if needed
International graduates: CGFNS CES Professional or CP report, Social Security number, immigration documents

Fees

Examination application (and each repeat)non-refundable	US$100
Fingerprinting and criminal background checkBoard-performed only	US$75
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027; US$50 to change state or exam type.	US$200
Renewal	US$100
Single-state to multistate change	US$25

How long it takes

Apply up to 3 months before graduation; send the transcript only after applying and after completion.
ATT emailed within 7 business days of eligibility.
Licence within 10 business days once all requirements are met.
Application valid one year.
Up to six attempts within two years of graduation, 45 days apart.

Mistakes that cost people time or money

Submit the Gateway application before your transcript is sent; the Board asks for that order.
Register for the CBC in exactly the name on your application, or the results will not match.
Six attempts in two years sounds generous, but each one costs US$300 in fees; prepare for the first.
Mississippi has no graduate permit; the licence comes within about 10 business days of a complete file.

Questions people ask about Mississippi

How do I register for the NCLEX in Mississippi?

Create a Nurse Gateway profile and submit the Licensure by Examination application (US$100), register for the Board's fingerprint background check (US$75), have your registrar send the final transcript after you apply, and register with Pearson VUE (US$200). The Authorization to Test is emailed within seven business days of eligibility.

How much does a Mississippi RN licence cost?

US$100 to the Board, US$75 for the background check and US$200 to Pearson VUE; each repeat costs another US$100 plus Pearson VUE. Renewal is US$100.

Can I work in Mississippi before I pass the NCLEX-RN?

No. Mississippi's temporary permits are for endorsement, reorientation and camp nursing, not for exam candidates; the licence is issued within about 10 business days of a complete file after the pass.

Is Mississippi a compact state?

Yes, since January 19, 2018. Mississippi residents receive a multistate licence if they meet the uniform requirements; residents of other compact states must apply at home.

How many times can I take the NCLEX-RN in Mississippi?

A maximum of six times, within two years of graduation, with 45 days between attempts and a new US$100 application each time. International graduates get one further attempt after the two years.

Can I use fingerprints taken for another board or employer in Mississippi?

No. Only the fingerprints and criminal background check performed by the Mississippi Board of Nursing are accepted, unless the Board printed you within the previous two years.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on MSBN's and NCSBN's own pages on October 7, 2026; when a detail matters to you, confirm it there:

This guide explains the process; it is not legal or immigration advice. Decisions about your eligibility are made by Mississippi Board of Nursing.

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