Registered Nurse Certification in How to Become an RN in Mississippi: Nursing License Application and Renewal Guide

Registered nurse certification in Mississippi offers nurses a lawful permission to practice their vocation. RN licensure is a kind of assurance to the patients as well as their family members that the nurse shall meet the mandatory standards. The certification is issued by the Mississippi Board of Nursing which intend to safeguard and protect the people by regulating practice of nursing within the state.

Requirements of RN License

1. Examination

It’s mandatory to meet the following eligibility criteria to obtain certification in the state:

  • Submit completed licensure application form.
  • Attach a 2” x 2” passport-size photograph with transparent tape which must be signed and dated.
  • If your primary state of residence participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), then you are required to apply for licensure in that particular state. You can view the list of NLC states at https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm
  • To apply for a Mississippi license, you must be a resident of a non-compact state.
  • Pay the non-refundable application fee of $100 by check or money order which must be made payable to the “Mississippi Board of Nursing.”  Make sure that you have mentioned your phone number and U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) on your payment.
  • Submit proof of successful completion of nursing education program.
    • If you have completed your graduation from an accredited Mississippi program and recognized out-of-state or U.S. territory nursing programs, then request the Registrar to send an official final transcript indicating the date of completion of program and degree received to the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
    • If you have met all the eligibility criteria but are not formally graduated, then request the Registrar to submit all the official documents (letterhead with the school seal) of eligibility to graduate. An official transcript must be submitted later on within thirty days of completion of graduation.
  • Notarize and complete the “Authorization to Release Information” and return it with the application.
  • If you are requesting for special accommodation, complete the “Special Accommodation Request for NCLEX Candidates” form and submit it along with the examination application. Download the form from this link:
    http://www.msbn.state.ms.us/Documents/Nclexacc.pdf
  • Complete the criminal background check.
  • International Graduates: Applicants who have completed their graduation from foreign nursing programs (schools located outside the U.S. states and territories) are required to provide an official verification of completion of nursing education program and credentials by the CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools), and must meet all the  qualification requirements of the Board. In addition, all international graduates must:
    • Possess a valid social security number (SSN).
    • Submit proof of credential evaluation and nursing education from CGFNS. Send an original report directly to the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
    • If you have completed your graduation in an English speaking program, then you must request a CES (Credentials Evaluation Service) Professional report.
    • If you have completed your graduation in a non-English speaking program, then you must request a CP report. Contact the CGFNS at:
      Credentials Evaluation Service
      CGFNS/ICHP
      3600 Market Street, Suite 400
      Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- 19104-2651
      Telephone # 215/349-8767
      Web site: http://www.cgfns.org
  • Do not provide a business address or employer’s address on the licensure application.

2. Endorsement

Applicants who hold a current RN license in another state and have never held a Mississippi license, may apply for licensure by endorsement. In addition to the above requirements for licensure by examination, applicants must fulfill the following:

  • Make sure to submit a notarized application.
  • Provide verification of your original licensure:
    • You may verify online at www.nursys.com if your original state of licensure participates on the Nursys website. The Board will verify the information directly through NURSYS.
    • If the state is not listed, submit the notarized “Verification of Original Licensure” form to the licensing organization of that state where you were originally certified. Provide your current address, full name and original license number.

Procedure to Obtain RN License

1. Examination

The step-by-step process to acquire Mississippi license is described below:

Step 1:  For licensure by examination, download the application form by using the following link:
http://www.msbn.ms.gov/Documents/Exam11.pdf

After downloading the form, carefully read the instructions mentioned in it.

Step 2: Submit the completed application with the required fee to the Board of Nursing at the following mailing address:

Mississippi Board of Nursing
713 Pear Orchard Road,
Suite 300, Ridgeland, Mississippi-39157

Step 3: Register for a criminal background check (CBC) using the below link:
https://www.ms.gov/msbn/backgroundCheckNonStudentEntry.do

Use the following link, if you need any information related to CBC:
https://www.ms.gov/msbn/backgroundCheckNonStudentInstructions.jsp

Step 4: Provide an official transcript including the degree and date of completion of graduation granted directly from your nursing school.

Step 5: Register with the testing organization, Pearson VUE, to take the licensure test. Use any one of the following registration methods:

  • Online at www.pearsonvue.com/nclex
    Click “Register” option on the site. Submit the registration fee of $200 through Visa Card, MasterCard, or American Express.OR
  • By mail
    You may contact the Board of Nursing office to send NCLEX registration form. Complete the form and include money order or cashier’s check of $200.0 made payable to the NCSBN and submit it to the following address:
    NCLEX Operations
    Post Office Box 64950,
    St. Paul, Minnesota- 55164-0950

Step 6: Register to Student Status Inquiry to complete a CBC using the following link:

https://www.ms.gov/msbn/ssiSearch.jsp

It may take up to 7 to 10 business days to access the application information.

Step 7: After completion of the above steps, the Board will make you eligible to take the licensure test.

Step 8: Pearson VUE will send you an ATT (Authorization to Test) by U.S. mail or on your email address.

Step 9: If you successfully pass the NCLEX-RN, the license details will be displayed on the Board’s website. You may see the information using “Online License Verification” section provided on the site within 5-7 business days after you receive your result. In case, you fail in the exam, a notification and diagnostic profile will be received in writing within 5-7 business days.

2. Endorsement

The procedure to acquire Mississippi license by endorsement is described below:

  • Temporary permit: you may apply for a temporary license valid for 90 days to continue nursing practice until the original license is issued in the state. You must provide the following documents:
    • Additional temporary permit fee of $25
    • Submit licensure application by endorsement
    • Attach a copy of current or active RN license or state-issued license number with the application.
    • If you currently hold an RN license in a compact state, then you must not apply for a temporary permit.
  • Upon approval of all the required documents, the license will be issued by the Board.

Verification of RN License

To verify your Mississippi license, you may use any of the following options:

  • Nursys WebsiteYou can verify your license with the help of the following site:
    www.nursys.com

Renewal of RN License

All registered nurses are required to renew their Mississippi license after every 2 years. At present, the state does not require you to fulfill continuing education requirements.

In order to renew your nursing license, you may use the following link:
https://www.ms.gov/msbn/Main.do

Pay the renewal fees in the form of credit or debit card (Discover, Visa, American Express, or MasterCard) or by using Electronic Check.

Reinstatement of RN License

In order to reinstate an RN license, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Submit reinstatement fee of $100. If you are changing your licensure from inactive to active status, then provide $75. Mention your license number, phone number, or/and social security number (SSN) on your payment.
  • If you have not practiced as a registered nurse for 5 or more years, then you may submit any one of the following as an evidence of continuing competency:
  • Completion of at least 3 semester hours of nursing credit provided by a nursing education program during the 2 years time period before submitting an application for reinstatement or renewal of the RN license.

Inactive License Status

If you want to put your active license on hold for some time, you may download the “Inactive Status” form using the following link:
http://www.msbn.state.ms.us/Documents/Inactive.pdf

After completing the application details, submit it to the Mississippi Board of Nursing.

Fee Structure

You may view the complete fee structure by visiting the following link:
http://www.msbn.state.ms.us/Documents/Fees.pdf

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