Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Missouri
2026 data Missouri board official source

Missouri Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides basic patient care under supervision. Requires NCLEX-PN exam.

What the Missouri data shows for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s

Becoming a licensed licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Missouri means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,169 training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-PN, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Missouri regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $117, with renewal running $84 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, licensed practical nurse (lpn)s should know: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
56/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Missouri

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,169 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$117
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$42/yr
$84 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Missouri

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,169 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$117
Renewal Fee
$84
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) All Missouri licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Missouri licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Missouri? ▼
Missouri's requirements cover 1169 hours of education or training, the NCLEX-PN exam, and an initial fee of $117. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Missouri? ▼
Certification as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Missouri means clearing the state's checklist: 1169 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Missouri licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to Missouri from another state? ▼
For licensed practical nurse (lpn)s, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Missouri licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Missouri require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensing in Missouri. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Missouri? ▼
Missouri ties continued licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $84 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed practical nurse (lpn) license

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Missouri, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed practical nurse (lpn)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Missouri licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.