Healthcare Resource
Mississippi NP License 2026: APRN Requirements, Collaborative Agreement, Salary
In brief
Complete guide to Mississippi APRN licensure: collaborative practice requirements, MS Board of Nursing application process, and NP salary data for Jackson, Gulfport, and Hattiesburg.
Steps at a glance
Complete accredited NP program and national certification
Graduate from an accredited NP program and pass a national board exam (AANPCB, ANCC, or AACN). Mississippi requires current national certification for APRN licensure.
Submit MS Board of Nursing APRN application
Apply online through the Mississippi Board of Nursing (msbn.ms.gov). Submit RN verification, NP program transcript, certification proof, and the $100 application fee. RN license must be active and in good standing.
Establish collaborative practice agreement
Mississippi requires a written collaborative practice agreement with a licensed Mississippi physician before prescribing controlled substances. Non-prescribing NPs do not require a formal agreement for clinical practice but most employers require one regardless.
Obtain DEA registration if prescribing controlled substances
Apply for a DEA number after receiving your Mississippi APRN license. Most clinical NP positions require DEA registration. Fee is $888 for 3 years.
In this article
Mississippi nurse practitioners practice under a reduced practice model. A physician collaborative agreement is required for prescribing controlled substances, though non-prescribing clinical practice can proceed independently once the APRN license is issued. Mississippi is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so RNs holding a compact license from another party state can practice in Mississippi without a separate MS RN license, however, the APRN license is a separate credential issued by the MS Board of Nursing and is not covered by the NLC.
Practice Authority
Mississippi is a reduced practice state. Key requirements:
- Physician collaborative agreement required for controlled substance prescribing
- Collaborative agreement must be maintained on file and available for inspection
- No supervision ratio cap, but collaborating physician must be a Mississippi licensee
- Non-controlled prescribing can proceed under the APRN license without a formal agreement
- Telehealth NP services expanded post-2020; agreement still required for prescribing
Application Requirements
- Active Mississippi RN license (or compact RN license valid in MS)
- Master's or doctoral NP degree from an accredited program
- Current national NP certification (AANPCB, ANCC, or AACN as applicable)
- Official NP program transcript sent directly from institution
- Completed online application + $100 fee
- Criminal background check
Processing Timeline
The MS Board of Nursing typically processes APRN applications in 6-10 weeks once all documentation is received. Incomplete applications restart the clock. The Board meets monthly; applications requiring Board review may take longer. Temporary authorization to practice is not routinely issued.
NP Salary by City in Mississippi (2026)
| City | Avg NP Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $108,000-$118,000 | UMMC, VA Medical Center, Baptist Health |
| Gulfport | $104,000-$115,000 | Memorial Hospital, Singing River Health |
| Hattiesburg | $103,000-$113,000 | Forrest Health, Merit Health Wesley |
| Biloxi | $104,000-$114,000 | Coastal communities; casino-adjacent employers |
| Rural/HPSA designations | $105,000-$120,000 | NHSC loan repayment up to $50,000 for 2-year commitment |
Top Health Systems in Mississippi
- University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), Jackson; largest academic medical center in the state; broad NP specialty mix
- Singing River Health System, Pascagoula/Gulfport; largest Coast health system; strong primary care NP demand
- Baptist Memorial Health Care, North MS facilities; multi-site NP roles
- Forrest Health (Hattiesburg Clinic), Major multi-specialty group in Pine Belt
- Merit Health, Statewide acute care network
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Extensive network in rural Mississippi; NHSC-eligible positions common
NHSC Loan Repayment
Mississippi has more HPSA-designated areas per capita than most states. NPs practicing in HPSA communities qualify for NHSC Loan Repayment Program funding, up to $50,000 for a 2-year service commitment (tax-exempt). FQHCs and rural health clinics throughout the Delta, Pine Belt, and Gulf Coast qualify. This is one of the most significant compensation differentials available to Mississippi NPs and should factor heavily into job selection for any NP with student loan debt.
What We See at Ava Health
NP openings in Mississippi concentrate in primary care and rural health, family NPs and adult-gerontology NPs are consistently the highest-demand specialties. Acute care NPs (ACNP) are primarily placed through UMMC and the Merit Health network. Mississippi's collaborative agreement requirement rarely deters candidates; most employers manage the agreement on the NP's behalf.
Related: NP License Tennessee 2026, NP License Alabama 2026, NP License Louisiana 2026.
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