How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Missouri (2026)
Missouri employs about 14,700 licensed practical nurses earning a median $61,530 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Licensed Practical Nurse here means completing a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure, then applying through Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Compare Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Missouri
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolivar Technical College | Not rated | $28,390 | Not reported | 92% | Yes* | 63 mi |
| 2 | Lex La-Ray Technical Center | 79.7 | Contact school for pricing | $59,627 | 100% | — | 84 mi |
| 3 | Cass Career Center | 70.6 | Contact school for pricing | $62,827 | 100% | — | 90 mi |
| 4 | State Technical College of Missouri | 69.9 | $8,160 in-state / $14,610 out-of-state | $58,407 | 84% | — | 50 mi |
| 5 | Warrensburg Area Career Center | 69.8 | Contact school for pricing | $44,051 | 100% | — | 60 mi |
| 6 | Texas County Technical College | 62.6 | $19,025 | Not reported | 25% | — | 84 mi |
| 7 | Saline County Career Center | 57.1 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 92% | — | 59 mi |
| 8 | Ozarks Technical Community College | 54.7 | $4,512 in-state / $7,200 out-of-state | $42,628 | 33% | Yes* | 84 mi |
| 9 | Moberly Area Community College | 52.4 | $4,110 in-state / $8,640 out-of-state | $44,572 | 44% | Yes* | 75 mi |
| 10 | Four Rivers Career Center | 50.1 | $18,345 | $51,305 | 100% | — | 93 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Missouri employs approximately 14,700 licensed practical nurses according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,530 1. The state’s concentration of licensed practical nurse jobs is 1.20x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, licensed practical nurse employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 54,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Missouri, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: state-approved practical or vocational nursing program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure
- Licensing authority: Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Exam: NCLEX-PN
- Median wage (Missouri): $61,530 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Missouri
How to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Missouri? Complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Apply through Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing.
How long does it take? Most people finish a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Do I need a license in Missouri? Yes. Missouri credentials this role through Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing 3. See the licensing section below.
What do licensed practical nurses earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for licensed practical nurses in Missouri is $61,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,580 and experienced professionals can earn $77,120 or more 1.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Missouri
- Meet program entry rules. Approved practical or vocational nursing programs in Missouri typically require a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age and prerequisite rules with the program and Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing.
- Complete a state-approved PN or VN program. Finish a board-approved practical or vocational nursing program in Missouri. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN. Apply to Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing for authorization to test, then pass the NCLEX-PN. An RN exam does not substitute.
- Apply for LPN or LVN licensure. Obtain the practical or vocational nursing license from Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing before practicing. Confirm reciprocity with the board.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Licensed Practical Nurse License Requirements in Missouri
Missouri licenses practical and vocational nurses through Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing. The path is an approved PN or VN program, the NCLEX-PN, and a state LPN or LVN license. Some states use the LVN title; others use LPN. See Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing 3.
Typical path
Meet the program’s entry rules.
Complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program.
Pass the NCLEX-PN.
Apply to Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing for LPN or LVN licensure.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing before you enroll.
Licensed Practical Nurse Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses wages in Missouri vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 5,180 | $65,120 | $67,860 | $56,610 | $79,590 |
| Kansas City | 4,570 | $64,420 | $65,980 | $52,440 | $78,470 |
| Springfield | 1,160 | $61,350 | $60,570 | $49,420 | $74,710 |
| Columbia | 800 | $61,670 | $61,490 | $48,880 | $75,280 |
| Cape Girardeau | 410 | $60,100 | $58,880 | $45,700 | $74,250 |
| Joplin | 400 | $58,920 | $58,780 | $48,010 | $72,950 |
| Jefferson City | 350 | $60,340 | $61,300 | $47,510 | $76,110 |
| St. Joseph | 290 | $60,720 | $60,120 | $47,840 | $71,030 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for licensed practical nurses in Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 14,700 licensed practical nurses 1. Nationally, licensed practical nurse employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a licensed practical nurse in Missouri with an out-of-state license? Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Missouri.
How much do licensed practical nurses earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for licensed practical nurses in Missouri is $61,530, which is $810 below the national median of $62,340 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: http://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |