NCLEX in Missouri: MACHS fingerprints and the Board’s $45 examination fee
Missouri’s rules list a $45 examination fee for RNs and a $40 re-examination fee. You apply to the State Board of Nursing, complete a fingerprint background check through the state’s MACHS system, and register with Pearson VUE online. Newer guides report different fee arrangements, so check the current schedule.
Last checked October 2026. Based on Missouri’s State Board of Nursing fee regulation, its RN examination application instruction letter and third-party summaries. One 2026 guide reports no application fee for first-time applicants, which conflicts with the regulation, so confirm in the licensing portal.
The path for a new graduate
Submit the licensure by examination application through the Board's online portal. The Board's instruction letter describes paying the fee to the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Register at the state's MACHS site and complete fingerprinting at a listed location. The fee covers the Missouri search, the FBI search and the vendor's fee. Out-of-state applicants may use inked FBI-258 cards.
Missouri requires NCLEX registration online. A guide suggests registering at least four weeks before graduation.
Your school sends an official final transcript directly to the Board.
After the Board determines you are eligible, Pearson VUE emails your ATT.
Things that cause delays
- Fingerprint order. A guide warns that submitting prints before applying can stop the Board from linking the check to your application, forcing you to register and pay again. Follow the portal’s order.
- Old forms. The Board’s instruction letters are dated, so use the current application in the portal.
- Compact residency. If you declare a non-compact state as your primary residence, the Board’s letter says you apply to your own state for a license.
Common questions
What if I fail?
The Board’s rules list a $40 re-examination fee for RNs, and you re-register with Pearson VUE. A guide reports a 45-day wait between attempts.
Is Missouri a compact state?
Sources say Missouri is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, and the Board’s instruction letter refers to the compact, so confirm how your primary state of residence affects your license.