Missouri RN Requirements and Training Programs

Nurses form the single largest health profession in the nation. Performing a range of patient care duties, nurses are essential to the delivery of health care services in every aspect of health care, including nursing homes, clinics, hospice facilities, home health agencies, public health facilities, and hospitals. A nurse’s education, role, and practice guidelines distinguish the different types of nurses. However, graduates of a diploma program, an associate’s degree in nursing program, and bachelor’s degree in nursing programs are all eligible to take the NCLEX-RN to hold the RN credential.

After passing the NCLEX-RN exam and meeting all the other requirements for licensure, RNs may provide an array of direct care services for which they are educationally prepared. They administer treatments, promote health, prevent diseases, coordinate care, educate patient, provide emotional support, and administer treatments.

If you are considering a career as a registered nurse, you must attend a state-approved registered nursing program that includes a clinical experience. According to the Board of Nursing, there are 37 approved associate degree programs, 25 approved bachelor’s degree nursing program, and one diploma program at the Lutheran School of Nursing.

Missouri Nursing Programs

Education Requirements

The Associate Degree Nursing Program prepares students to administer safe and patient-centered care as a registered nurse. Graduates will receive an associate of science degree in nursing that will grant them eligibility to apply for the licensing exam for registered nurses.

The curriculum comprises of science courses, general education courses, and core nursing courses. The duration of the program, order of content, and class times vary by campus. So too will the clinical rotation times, which will be determined, in part, by the availability of the clinical site.

The two-year program will begin with preparatory courses, which will form the foundation for the succeeding courses. These will include health assessment, biology, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, growth and development, and the fundamentals of nursing.

Core nursing courses will have a lecture and lab component, and some will include practical experiences in a hospital or long-term care facility to reinforce the principles. The complexity of the core courses will increase with each successive module. Examples of modules that will be covered include, medication administration, adult health nursing, professional perspectives, mental health nursing, adult health nursing, maternal-child nursing, managing intravenous therapies, nursing issues, and child health.

Full attendance is necessary for the clinical aspect of the program. A registered nurse instructor will guide the sessions and direct students’ activities as they work in teams to care for patients while putting the theoretical principles into practice. Clinical times will be based on the sites’ availability. Common requirements for participation include a TB test, up-to-date-immunization records, a physical exam report, criminal background clearance, liability insurance, and CRP certification.

If you have the education and certification as a licensed practical nurse, you can apply for advanced placement in the program and earn an associate’s degree in just one year.

It is important that you select a program that is approved by the Missouri Board of Nursing to avoid difficulties with obtaining the authorization to take the NCLEX and secure your license to practice.

Eligibility Criteria

Before submitting an application to your school of choice, you should obtain a schedule of information sessions and attend to learn about the requirements for entry. Admission is selective as nursing schools often receive more applications than there are available spots. Furthermore, the challenging curriculum that prepares students for national licensing requires students to demonstrate their ability to complete the program.

Applicants are expected to complete the following:

  • Submit a completed application and fee before the deadline.
  • Provide copies of their driver’s license or passport and social security card.
  • Provide official high school transcript or GED.
  • Provide transcripts of any college-level coursework.
  • Pass an entrance exam for nursing students.
  • Complete the prerequisite courses.
  • Submit to a criminal background check.
  • Meet the health requirements.
  • Obtain CPR certification and liability insurance.

Duration and Cost

Missouri’s nursing graduates can be assured of employment shortly after graduation, which will give them the opportunity to earn immediate returns on their investment in a nursing education. Tuition is costly, but federal aid, scholarships, and additional incentives and funding designed specifically for nursing students all help to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. The cost of tuition varies widely within the 37 programs offered across Missouri. The Moberly Area Community charges $144 per credit for Missouri residents. Nursing students pay an additional $110 per credit for clinical fees. These costs do not reflect expenses for textbooks, fees, and other supplies.

Missouri RN Licensure Requirements

Graduates of an approved registered nursing program in Missouri may practice until the results of the first licensure exam become available. Under the provisions of this agreement, the student may work as a Graduate Nurse up to 90 days after graduation or he/she receives the results of the exam – on the first attempt only. Any individual who practices beyond the designated practice period may be denied the opportunity to test.

Missouri is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so licensed nurses may practice in Missouri and in other compact states. Since the compact license must be issued in the primary state only, applicants for registration must declare Missouri as their primary state of residence during the application process. Proof of residency, including a Missouri driver’s license, income tax return, or voter registration may be required.

Licensure By Examination

To apply for licensure as a registered nursing in Missouri, you must submit the following no later than three months before you graduate:

  • An Application for License as a Registered Professional Nurse by Examination. It must be signed and notarized. The Nursing Program Administrator must sign Section VI of the application.
  • One signed 2” x 2” photograph.
  • The application fee of $45. Make check or money order payable to the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The application fee is non-refundable.

Approximately two weeks after submitting your application to the Board, you must make arrangements for a criminal background check.

  • Go to machs.mo.gov and register using the registration number – 0001.
  • Record the TCN number assigned during registration.
  • Select a fingerprint location and go to the site with your TCN number and valid photo ID.
  • Provide your fingerprints and collect your fingerprinting receipt. Keep the receipt for your records. The total fee is $44.80.

Complete the following steps after graduation:

  • Have the school send your official final transcript to the Board of Nursing.
  • Register with NCLEX-RN and pay the registration fee. You will receive your Authorization to Test shortly after – if you submitted all the relevant information to the Board.

Provide the following if you answer “yes” to any of the screening questions.

  • A notarized statement explaining the incident. Include the statement with your application and present an explanation of your rehabilitation.
  • Supporting documents, such as court documents, medical records, a discharge summary, or character reference letters.

Graduates of Foreign Nursing Programs:

Nurses educated outside of the United States may not work as a nurse in Missouri without a current nursing license issued by the state.

Submit the following to the Missouri Board of Nursing:

  • An Application for License as a Registered Professional Nurse by Examination. It must be signed and notarized.
  • One signed 2” x 2” photograph.
  • The application fee of $45. Make check or money order payable to the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The application fee is non-refundable.
  • A course-by-course evaluation report sent directly from a Board-approved foreign credentials evaluation service.
  • A copy of your birth certificate.
  • A copy of your marriage license – if applicable.
  • Documentation of English Language proficiency – TOEFL scores, or TOEIC scores, or IELTS scores.
  • A copy of your original nursing license issued by the licensing agency where you to an examination.

Approximately two weeks after submitting your application to the Board, you must make arrangements for a criminal background check.

  • Go to machs.mo.gov and register using the registration number – 0001.
  • Record the TCN number assigned during registration.
  • Select a fingerprint location and go to the site with your TCN number and valid photo ID.
  • Provide your fingerprints and collect your fingerprinting receipt. Keep the receipt for your records. The total fee is $44.80.

Register for NCLEX exam online, by phone (866) 496-2539, or by mail. The testing fee is $200.

Licensure By Endorsement

If you’re licensed to practice as a registered nurse in a non-compact state, you may apply for licensure by endorsement to practice within Missouri.

Submit the following to the Missouri Board of Nursing:

  • An Application for License as a Registered Professional Nurse by Endorsement. It must be signed and notarized.
  • A signed 2” x 2” photograph.
  • The application fee of $55. Make check or money order payable to the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The application fee is non-refundable.
  • Verification of your license from the original state of licensure. Verification may be completed online at www.nursys.com.
  • Official transcripts of your nursing education. The transcript must include your name, degree or diploma awarded, date of completion, and the director’s/registrar’s signature.

Approximately two weeks after submitting your application to the Board, you must make arrangements for a criminal background check.

  • Go to machs.mo.gov and register using the registration number – 0001.
  • Record the TCN number assigned during registration.
  • Select a fingerprint location and go to the site with your TCN number and valid photo ID.
  • Provide your fingerprints and collect your fingerprinting receipt. Keep the receipt for your records. The total fee is $44.80.

The Board will automatically issue a temporary permit – valid for 6 months – if you qualify. The permit is issued one time only and is not renewable. The application will automatically expire one year from the date of submission if you do not meet the requirements within the timeframe.

Renewal Requirements

Licenses for registered nurses expire on April 30 of odd-numbered years. You must sign up for e-notify to receive notifications of your upcoming renewal and keep on top of the status of your license. You’ll not only receive license status updates but also prevent fraud, and participate in nursing workforce surveys. The two-year renewal fee is $60. The fee to reinstate your license after it expires is $110 – includes the late renewal fee.

Continuing Education Requirements for Missouri RNs

Missouri statures do not require registered nurses to complete continuing education as a condition for renewing their licenses.

Missouri Salary and Job Outlook

The national shortage of professional nurses is a veritable plague on the health care system, and Missouri is not immune to the challenges. According to a 2016 Workforce Report from the Missouri Hospital Association, the turnover rates for hospital-based workers have increased compared to previous years. The figures depict a workforce shortage that is getting progressively worse. The U.S, Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 16% growth rate in the profession from 2014 to 2024, and vacancy rates and turnover rates for staff nurses proof them correct.

State officials are working with educators and health care systems to relieve the shortage of nursing professionals in the state. The Missouri Nurses Association reports that 109 out of the 114 Missouri counties are designated as “health professional shortage areas.” In these areas, residents do not have sufficient access to health care providers, and the aging population will aggravate the problem. Over 33 percent of the state’s nurses are over 55, so their imminent retirement will place additional burdens on the system.

While the nursing shortage is a burdensome problem, it spells good news for anyone considering a career in nursing. It means jobs are available along with the attractive incentives to both study nursing and work in the state’s hospitals and other health care facilities. Employers put a great deal of thought into offering incentives to attract new nursing graduates, which is why registered nurses in Missouri are among the best paid in the nation.

Missouri Registered Nursing Programs and NCLEX-RN Pass Rates:

Bolivar, MO ADN Programs:
Bolivar Technical College
2001 West Broadway 2nd Floor, Bolivar, MO 65613
417-777-5062
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.29%

Southwest Baptist University
1600 University Avenue, Bolivar, MO 65613
800-526-5859
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: N/A

Cape Girardeau, MO ADN Programs:
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing
2001 William St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
573-334-6825
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 86.27%

Cottleville, MO ADN Programs:
St. Charles Community College
4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Cottleville, MO 63376
636-922-8000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 85.14%

Hannibal, MO ADN Programs:
Hannibal-LaGrange University
2800 Palmyra Road, Hannibal, MO 63401
800-HLG-1119
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.47%

Hillsboro, MO ADN Programs:
Jefferson College
1000 Viking Dr, Hillsboro, MO 63050
636-797-3000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 78.18%

Houston, MO ADN Programs:
Texas County Technical College
6915 South Highway 63, Houston, MO 65483
800-835-1130
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 72.73%

Jefferson City, MO ADN Programs:
Lincoln University
820 Chestnut Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-681-5000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 85.00%

Kansas City, MO ADN Programs:
Metropolitan Community College
3200 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111
816-604-1000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 84.92%

Concorde Career College
3239 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111
816-531-5223
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 73.53%

Moberly, MO ADN Programs:
Moberly Area Community College
101 College Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270
660-263-4100
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.49%

Neosho, MO ADN Programs:
Crowder College
601 Laclede, Neosho, MO 64850
1-417-451-3223
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 86.36%

Osage Beach, MO ADN Programs:
Columbia College- Lake of the Ozarks
900 College Boulevard, Osage Beach, MO 65065
573-348-6463
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.06%

Park Hills, MO ADN Programs:
Mineral Area College
5270 Flat River Road, P.O. Box 1000, Park Hills, MO 63601
573-431-4593
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 83.33%

Parkville, MO ADN Programs:
Park University
8700 Northwest River Park Drive, Parkville, MO 64152
816-741-2000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94.59%

Poplar Bluff, MO ADN Programs:
Three Rivers College – The Community College of Southeast Missouri
2080 Three Rivers Boulevard, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
877-879-8722
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.21%

Sedalia, MO ADN Programs:
State Fair Community College
3201 West 16th Street, Sedalia, MO 65301-2199
877-311-7322
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.62%

Springfield, MO ADN Programs:
Cox College
1423 North Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802
417-269-3401
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 98.18%

Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences
4431 S Fremont Ave, Springfield, MO 65804
417-820-2069
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 86.59%

Ozarks Technical Community College
1001 East Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802
417-447-7500
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.56%

St Louis, MO ADN Programs:
St. Louis Community College- Florissant Valley
3400 Pershall Road, St. Louis, MO 63135
314-513-4200
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Trenton, MO ADN Programs:
North Central Missouri College
1301 Main Street, Trenton, MO 64683
660-359-3948
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Union, MO ADN Programs:
East Central College
1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union, MO 63084
636-584-6500
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 83.87%

Weldon Spring, MO ADN Programs:
National American University – Weldon Spring
Triad Crossing, 1030 Wolfrum Road, Weldon Spring, MO 63304
800-209-0148
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 74.07%

West Plains, MO ADN Programs:
Missouri State University- West Plains
128 Garfield, West Plains, MO 65775
417-255-7255
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.70%

Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.