What decides whether you need a new license
Two things: whether Missouri is a compact state, and whether your own license is multistate rather than single-state. Compact privilege only exists between compact states, and only a multistate license carries it. Run your exact home/assignment pairing through the compact state checker.
Practicing in Missouri on assignment
Working under privilege still means following Missouri's scope of practice and nurse practice act, and you remain accountable to the Missouri State Board of Nursing while you are here. If any of the assignment is telehealth, remember licensure generally follows the patient’s location — see the Missouri telehealth guide.
The law that governs this in Missouri
Taking an assignment in Missouri is practice in Missouri, so it is Missouri’s own nurse practice act that defines what you may do and the Missouri State Board of Nursing that applies it. That act is RSMo ch. 335 (Nurses), §§ 335.011–335.096.
The compact itself is separate law. Missouri adopted it at RSMo ch. 335, Nurse Licensure Compact provisions at §§ 335.300 et seq. (incl. §§ 335.365, 335.370, 335.375), which is what allows a multistate license issued elsewhere to reach Missouri at all — the practice act still decides what you may do once it does.
Before you sign
We are an independent licensing reference — we do not list assignments, agencies, or pay rates, and nothing here is a job offer. For the wider pre-assignment checklist (contract terms, credentialing, housing), see what to check before accepting a travel assignment. Confirm licensure with the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Since when has a compact license worked in Missouri?
Nurses holding another state’s multistate license have been able to practice in Missouri since January 19, 2018. It has been a member long enough that most guidance you find will be accurate on this point.