Interested in pursuing a career in nursing, but unsure about devoting years of your life and thousands of dollars to get started? Consider becoming a licensed practical nurse, or LPN, to launch your career faster. If you live in Missouri and aspire to be a nurse, training to become an LPN is among the fastest, easiest ways to get started. In just 12 to 18 months or so, you can fulfill the necessary requirements to obtain an LPN license in Missouri.
As you will learn, the first and most crucial step in becoming an LPN in Missouri is completing a State Board of Nursing-approved training program. These programs are designed to help students pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam, and they must be approved by the state for graduates to be eligible to take the test. Therefore, refer to the recommendations below to zero in on a training program in Missouri that's right for you.
Table of Contents
Top LPN Programs in Missouri
The importance of selecting the right LPN training program can't be stressed enough. For one thing, the program that you choose must be officially approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Otherwise, you may graduate and still be ineligible to sit for the NCLEX. Speaking of the exam, check each school's NCLEX-PN pass rates before enrolling. Stick with programs with pass rates of around 95 percent or higher for best results.
Get the ball rolling on your search for LPN programs in Missouri with these recommendations:
Applied Tech - MET Center
6347 Plymouth Ave, St. Louis, MO 63133 (314) 746-0788Applied Tech - South Tech
12721 W Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63127 (314) 989-7500Bolivar Technical College
1135 N Oakland Ave, Bolivar, MO 65613 (417) 777-5062Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center
1080 S Silver Springs Rd, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 (573) 334-0826Carthage Technical Center
609 S River St, Carthage, MO 64836 (417) 359-7026Cass Career Center
1600 E Elm St, Harrisonville, MO 64701 (816) 380-3253Clinton Technical School
602 S 5th St, Clinton, MO 64735 (660) 885-6101Concorde Career College - Kansas City
3239 E Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201 (816) 531-5223Crowder College
601 Laclede Ave, Neosho, MO 64850 (417) 451-3223Four Rivers Career Center
1978 Image Dr, Washington, MO 63090 (636) 231-2100Franklin Technology Center Adult Education
3950 Newman Rd, Joplin, MO 64801 (417) 659-4400Hannibal-LaGrange University
2800 Palmyra Rd, Hannibal, MO 63401 (573) 221-3675Jefferson College
1000 Viking Dr, Hillsboro, MO 63050 (636) 789-3000Kirksville Area Technical Center
1103 S Cottage Grove Ave, Kirksville, MO 63501 (660) 665-2865Lex La-Ray Technical Center
2323 High School Dr, Lexington, MO 64067 (660) 259-2264Metropolitan Community College - Penn Valley
3200 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111 (816) 604-1000Mineral Area College
5270 Flat River Rd, Park Hills, MO 63601 (573) 431-4593Moberly Area Community College
101 College Ave, Moberly, MO 65270 (660) 263-4100Moberly Area Community College
2900 Doreli Ln, Mexico, MO 65265 (573) 582-0817Moberly Area Community College
1818 W Worley St, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 214-3400North Central Missouri College
1301 Main St, Trenton, MO 64683 (660) 359-3948North Central Missouri College
3400 Bulldog Ave, Bethany, MO 64424 (660) 359-2214North Central Missouri College Outreach
1515 S Munn Ave, Maryville, MO 64468 (660) 562-4185Ozarks Technical Community College
1001 E Chestnut Expy, Springfield, MO 65802 (417) 447-8932Ozarks Technical Community College
22360 Hwy Mm, Lebanon, MO 65536 (417) 447-8932Ozarks Technical Community College - Table Rock
10698 MO-165, Hollister, MO 65672 (417) 336-6239Pike-Lincoln Technical Center
342 Vo Tech Rd, Eolia, MO 63344 (573) 485-2900Rolla Technical Institute
1304 E 10th St, Rolla, MO 65401 (573) 458-0150Saline County Career Center
900 W Vest St, Marshall, MO 65340 (660) 886-6958Sikeston Career and Technology Center
1002 Virginia St, Sikeston, MO 63801 (573) 472-2581South Central Career Center
407 W Thornburgh St, West Plains, MO 65775 (417) 256-6152St. Charles Community College
4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr, Cottleville, MO 63376 (636) 922-8000St. Louis College of Health Careers
1297 N Hwy Dr, Fenton, MO 63026 (888) 594-0854State Fair Community College
3201 W 16th St, Sedalia, MO 65301 (660) 530-5800State Fair Community College
113 S Pine St, Eldon, MO 65026 (573) 392-8060State Technical College of Missouri
1 Technology Dr, Linn, MO 65051 (573) 897-5000Texas County Technical College
6915 US Hwy 63, Houston, MO 65483 (417) 967-5466Warrensburg Area Career Center
205 S Ridgeview Dr, Warrensburg, MO 64093 (660) 747-7919Waynesville Career Center
400 Gw Ln, Waynesville, MO 65583 (573) 774-6106
Neighboring States: Arkansas | Iowa | Illinois | Kansas | Kentucky | Nebraska | Oklahoma | Tennessee
LPN Licensing Requirements in Missouri
Get a feel for the steps that you must follow to become a licensed LPN in Missouri. That way, you will know exactly how to proceed, and you should be able to get your license that much more quickly.
The Missouri State Board of Nursing has a series of requirements that must be fulfilled to obtain an LPN license. Some of these requirements include:
- Completing an LPN program that is approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Note that such programs typically run anywhere from 12 to 18 months in duration
- Submitting an application for LPN licensure by exam to the Missouri State Board of Nursing along with a 2" x 2" headshot; official transcripts from your training program; the application fee; and authorization to perform a criminal background check
- Registering for, taking and passing the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. It is administered at testing sites across Missouri on dates throughout the year
Missouri is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, or NLC. If you possess a multistate LPN license from another participating state, you can practice in Missouri. If you hold an LPN license from a non-NLC state, contact the State Board of Nursing for instructions on transfer by endorsement.
Missouri State Board of Nursing
When you apply for your Missouri LPN license, you'll submit your application to the State Board of Nursing. This agency handles all manner of LPN licensing needs, so keep its contact information handy:
Missouri State Board of Nursing
3605 Missouri Blvd, Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 751-0681
Fax: (573) 751-0075
LPN Salary & Employment Outlook in Missouri
It stands to reason that before putting any major time, effort or money into your LPN training, you'll want to check and see how well you can expect to be compensated and how easy or difficult it will be to find gainful employment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPNs in Missouri earn an average pay of $48,450 per year, which is equal to $23.29 per hour. Nationally, LPNs earn an average pay of $54,620 per year, or $26.26 per hour. Note that LPN salaries vary across the state, however, and you may be able to land a job earning at or above the national average.
As far as employment outlook, it is solid. Per the BLS, the LPN field should grow by a rate of around 7 percent between 2014 and 2024. This equates to around 590 new jobs around the state every year during that period. Therefore, LPNs have ample opportunities in Missouri now and will have even more in the years ahead.
LPN Salaries in Missouri By Area
If you check into LPN salaries in your part of the state and are disappointed, bear in mind that you may be able to earn more by moving elsewhere. As this list shows, LPN salaries and job opportunities vary widely from one metro region to another.
| Area | Total Employments | Avg. Hourly Wage | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 4,070 | $26.30 | $54,700 |
| St. Louis | 4,210 | $26.06 | $54,200 |
| Columbia | 610 | $23.50 | $48,890 |
| St. Joseph | 230 | $23.16 | $48,170 |
| Joplin | 300 | $22.76 | $47,350 |
| Jefferson City | 300 | $22.52 | $46,840 |
| Springfield | 1,020 | $22.50 | $46,790 |
| Cape Girardeau | 300 | $21.91 | $45,560 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2022
As you can see, becoming an LPN in the state of Missouri isn't that confusing or difficult. The biggest hurdle is finding and completing a training program, as all that's left after that is to take the exam and apply for the license. With so many LPN programs in Missouri, there's no need to wait. Start exploring them today!
