Transfer Your Nursing License to Mississippi: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my nursing license transfer to Mississippi?
Yes — Mississippi participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN with a multistate license from another member state can work in Mississippi without applying for anything as long as they live in another compact state (moving here means applying by endorsement). Coming from a non-compact state, you apply to the Mississippi Board of Nursing by endorsement ($100 (endorsement application; + $75 criminal background check fee paid to the Board)); the NCLEX is never repeated.
Moving to Mississippi from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
NLC member — multistate license honored
Whether you need to do anything at all depends on the license in your pocket. If you hold a multistate license and your primary residence stays in another compact state — a travel contract, a border commute, telehealth — Mississippi requires nothing from you. If you are actually moving to Mississippi, you are changing your primary state of residence, and that means an endorsement application to the Mississippi Board of Nursing to re-home your multistate license.
NLC member — a multistate license is issued only if Mississippi is the primary state of residence and Uniform Licensure Requirements are met; otherwise a single-state license is issued. Nurses holding an active multistate compact license from another state may practice in Mississippi without endorsement, and may continue practicing on it while a Mississippi endorsement is under review.
Mississippi requirements at a glance
| Exam | NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys |
|---|---|
| Fees | $100 (endorsement application; + $75 criminal background check fee paid to the Board) |
| Processing time | board states there is no timetable for issuing licenses; applications are processed first-in, first-out |
Comparing Mississippi with other states? Check RN endorsement requirements by state in the Endorsement Requirement Finder.
Step by step
- Confirm Mississippi's current requirements on the Mississippi Board of Nursing website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Mississippi Board of Nursing (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check performed only by/through the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
- Hold an active RN license in another state, or a lapsed but unencumbered compact-state license that you cannot reinstate because of your primary state of residence.
- Declare your primary state of residence (a multistate license is issued only if it is Mississippi).
- Complete the endorsement process within one year or resubmit the application.
- Have a valid Social Security number (the application cannot be completed without one).
- If you have not practiced nursing in the 5 years before applying, submit evidence of continuing competency.
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Mississippi:
Nearby states
Nursing license transfer into the states bordering Mississippi:
Mississippi for other professions
- Cosmetology / Barber in Mississippi
- Real Estate in Mississippi
- Contractor in Mississippi
- Teaching in Mississippi
- CPA / Accounting in Mississippi
- Electrician in Mississippi
- Plumber in Mississippi
- Engineering in Mississippi
- Pharmacy in Mississippi
- Physical Therapy in Mississippi
- Psychology in Mississippi
- Counseling in Mississippi
- Social Work in Mississippi
- Occupational Therapy in Mississippi
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in Mississippi?
No. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys. No state requires a second NCLEX.
Is Mississippi in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes — Mississippi is an NLC member as of 2026-10-29. A multistate license from another member state is valid in Mississippi without any application, as long as your primary residence stays in a member state.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- Mississippi Board of Nursing — Licensure By Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Nurse Licensure Compact — official commission site ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
How we verify · All sources · Corrections log · spot an error? hello@licensereciprocity.com