Mississippi does not mandate continuing education for RN or LPN license renewal, placing the responsibility for maintaining professional competency on each nurse individually. APRNs have a small controlled substances CE requirement. With tiered late fees that can climb to $325, renewing on time is important. Here's your complete guide.
Mississippi RN License Renewal Requirements Overview
The Mississippi Board of Nursing does not require continuing education hours for RN or LPN license renewal. The Mississippi Nursing Practice Law requires nurses to maintain competency, but that responsibility rests with each individual nurse. APRNs must complete 5 contact hours related to controlled substances per certification period.
Mississippi is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, allowing nurses with a multistate license to practice across all compact states.
What Is Required for Renewal?
For RNs and LPNs:
- No CE hours required — Mississippi does not mandate continuing education for RN or LPN renewal
- Maintain professional competency — each nurse is individually responsible for staying current in their field of practice
- Renewal fee: $100
For APRNs:
- 5 contact hours on controlled substances per state certification period
- Renewal fee: $100
Out-of-Practice Nurses (5+ Years):
- 20 contact hours of CE related to nursing practice within the 2-year period prior to reinstatement, or completion of a board-approved refresher program
Important Renewal Dates
- RN and APRN renewal: September 1 through December 31 of even-numbered years
- LPN renewal: September 1 through December 31 of odd-numbered years
- Late Period 1: January 1-30 with $150 late fee
- Late Period 2: February 1-June 30 with $325 late fee
- After June 30: Reinstatement required
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Mississippi Nursing License
- Know your renewal year. RN/APRN licenses renew in even-numbered years; LPN licenses renew in odd-numbered years.
- Log in to the MSBN portal. Visit msbn.ms.gov during the September 1 through December 31 renewal window.
- Complete the online renewal application. Answer all required questions about your practice and licensure status.
- If APRN, attest to controlled substances CE. Confirm completion of 5 contact hours related to controlled substances.
- Pay the $100 renewal fee. Submit payment online before December 31 to avoid late fees.
- Retain documentation. CE Broker is the official CE tracking system — keep records accessible for audit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming CE isn't your responsibility. While Mississippi doesn't mandate CE hours, the law still requires you to maintain competency. Employers may require CE, and it's essential for safe practice.
- Missing the December 31 deadline. Late fees are steep: $150 in January and $325 from February through June. After June 30, you'll need full reinstatement.
- Confusing RN and LPN renewal years. RN/APRN licenses renew in even-numbered years while LPN licenses renew in odd-numbered years. Don't mix them up.
- APRNs neglecting controlled substances CE. The 5 contact hours must be directly related to controlled substances — general CE won't satisfy this requirement.
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Renew as early as September 1. Don't wait until December. The online portal opens September 1, giving you a full 4 months to complete the process.
- Use CE Broker. Mississippi uses CE Broker as its official tracking system. Keep your CE records there for easy access during renewal and audit.
- Consider voluntary CE. Even without a mandate, continuing education makes you a stronger nurse and more competitive in the job market. RenewRN can track both required and voluntary CE alongside your license status.
- Leverage your NLC multistate license. As a compact state, Mississippi's multistate license lets you practice in other NLC states without additional applications.
Track Your Mississippi License with RenewRN
Mississippi's tiered late fee system means on-time renewal saves you up to $325. RenewRN sends reminders at 90, 60, 30, 7, and 1 day before your December 31 deadline so you never face unnecessary late fees.