To work as an RN in Missouri you license with the Missouri State Board of Nursing through the MOPRO portal. The exam application is US$45 (US$40 for a repeat), fingerprints go through MACHS/IdentoGO with registration code 0001, and your school sends the final transcript after graduation. Missouri residents who meet the uniform requirements receive a multistate licence automatically. There is no graduate permit, and the application expires after one year.
✓ Checked against Missouri SBN's official pages on October 7, 2026
At a glance
BoardMissouri State Board of Nursing (Division of Professional Registration)
Final official transcript with degree and graduation date, sent by the school or an approved transcript service
Pearson VUE registration (US$200)
Court documents or references if you answer yes to a screening question
International graduates: course-by-course evaluation, TrueProfile check, English proficiency evidence, US Social Security card
Fees
RN exam application, initialnon-refundable
US$45
RN exam application, repeat
US$40
Fingerprint background checkpaid to the Missouri State Highway Patrol's vendor
varies
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.
US$200
Two-year renewal
US$60
How long it takes
Fingerprints after you submit the MOPRO application.
Transcript only after graduation, sent by the school.
Application expires one year after submission.
Retake after 45 days (Pearson VUE rule).
Mistakes that cost people time or money
Use your passport book, not the passport card, as the lawful-presence document.
Enter your name and SSN identically in MOPRO and MACHS; mismatches stall the background check.
Missouri issues the multistate licence automatically if you qualify; declare your primary state of residence accurately.
No graduate permit exists in Missouri, so set your start date after the result.
Questions people ask about Missouri
How do I register for the NCLEX in Missouri?
Apply in MOPRO and pay US$45, register at MACHS with code 0001 and get fingerprinted, have your school send the final transcript after graduation, and register with Pearson VUE (US$200). The Board makes you eligible and Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test.
How much does a Missouri RN licence cost?
US$45 for the exam application (US$40 to repeat), the fingerprint vendor's fee and US$200 to Pearson VUE. Renewal is US$60 every two years.
Can I work in Missouri before I pass the NCLEX-RN?
No. The Board states it has no legal basis to issue a temporary permit to new graduates.
Is Missouri a compact state?
Yes, since January 19, 2018. RNs who live in Missouri and meet the uniform licensure requirements are issued a multistate licence automatically; verify the type on Nursys QuickConfirm.
How long is a Missouri nursing application valid?
One year from the date it is submitted. If documents are still missing after that, you submit a new application, new documents and a new fee.
What does an internationally educated nurse need for Missouri?
A course-by-course evaluation from a Board-approved service, a TrueProfile education, identity, licence and residency check, English proficiency evidence, a US Social Security card, fingerprints (card scan from abroad), the US$45 application and the NCLEX-RN.
Official links and sources
Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on Missouri SBN'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 Missouri State Board of Nursing.
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