StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Mississippi

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$260
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Mississippi Board of Nursing (MSBN)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Graduation from an MSBN-approved practical nursing education program., pass a criminal background check. Fingerprinting and a criminal background check ($75 fee) are required for licensure. No minimum age was stated on the MSBN pages reviewed. [3]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. Applicants must graduate from an MSBN-approved practical nursing education program. The Board's pages reviewed for this research did not publish a single fixed statewide clock-hour minimum for LPN program length; approval is granted through the Board's program-approval process rather than by one codified hour count. [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). Computerized adaptive test administered at Pearson VUE test centers. National registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE, separate from Mississippi's own examination-application fee (see fees.application). [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Mississippi Board of Nursing (MSBN) with the $60 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Mississippi Board of Nursing (MSBN) issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Mississippi.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $60
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $100
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Licensure by endorsement [3] $60
Fingerprinting and criminal background check [3] $75
Repeat/re-examination application [3] $60
Expanded Role LPN (IV Therapy/Hemodialysis) initial certification [3] $20

MSBN's official fee schedule: LPN examination application is $60 (same for repeat exam attempts and for endorsement). There is no separate stand-alone 'license issuance' fee beyond the $60 examination/endorsement fee. Fingerprinting and criminal background checks are billed separately at $75. Active renewal is $100 (inactive renewal is $25).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

LPN licenses renew biennially, expiring December 31 of odd-numbered years. The Mississippi Nursing Practice Law does not mandate continuing education units (CEUs) as a prerequisite to renewing or maintaining an active LPN license, per MSBN's own FAQ (msbn.ms.gov/node/192). CEUs (20 contact hours in the prior 2 years) are required only for nurses who have been out of active practice for 5+ years.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: NLC.

Mississippi is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state; the NLC covers both RNs and LPNs. NCSBN's official NLC implementation table lists Mississippi as implemented January 19, 2018. Nurses licensed in another state may also apply for a single-state Mississippi license by endorsement ($60 fee for LPN).

15 state-approved training providers in Mississippi — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $60
  • $200
Total$260

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to become an LPN in Mississippi?

Graduate from a Mississippi Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program, pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check, and pass the NCLEX-PN.

How much does it cost to apply for an LPN license in Mississippi?

The examination application fee is $60, plus a separate $75 fingerprinting/background check fee and the $200 NCLEX-PN fee paid to Pearson VUE.

Does Mississippi require continuing education to renew an LPN license?

No — the Mississippi Nursing Practice Law does not mandate CEUs for nurses in active practice. CEUs are required only for those who have been out of practice for five or more years.

Is Mississippi part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Yes. Mississippi implemented the NLC on January 19, 2018, so a Mississippi LPN holding a multistate license may practice in other NLC member states, subject to each state's practice laws.

How much does it cost to renew an active LPN license in Mississippi?

$100 for active renewal (biennial, in odd-numbered years); inactive renewal is $25.

Sources

  1. [1] msbn.ms.gov/home/lpn-education — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] msbn.ms.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Fees.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] msbn.ms.gov/node/305 — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] ncsbn.org/public-files/NLC_Map.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10