Transfer Your Nursing License to Mississippi: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Mississippi Board of Nursing ↗
Yes — Mississippi participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN with a multistate license from another member state can start work in Mississippi without applying for anything. 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 |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements |
|
| 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 |
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.
- 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.
- Pay the fees ($100 (endorsement application; + $75 criminal background check fee paid to the Board)) and allow board states there is no timetable for issuing licenses; applications are processed first-in, first-out.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Mississippi:
All 43 origin states
Frequently asked questions
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 start work in Mississippi without applying for anything. 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.
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.
How much does it cost to transfer an RN license to Mississippi?
$100 (endorsement application; + $75 criminal background check fee paid to the Board) (endorsement application; + $75 criminal background check fee paid to the Board).
How long does Mississippi take to process an endorsement application?
board states there is no timetable for issuing licenses; applications are processed first-in, first-out — board states there is no timetable for issuing licenses; applications are processed first-in, first-out.
Is Mississippi in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes — Mississippi is an NLC member as of 2026-07-21. 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 2026-07-21.
- Mississippi Board of Nursing — Licensure By Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Nurse Licensure Compact — official commission site ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]