License protection

What happens if a complaint is filed against your Missouri nursing license

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

A complaint is not a finding. Here is how the Missouri State Board of Nursing actually handles a complaint, from intake to resolution, with the board's own published process.

The arc of a complaint

Intake and jurisdiction review

The board first decides whether it CAN act: is the subject a licensee, and would the allegation, if true, violate the nurse practice act? Complaints about rudeness, billing, or matters outside the act commonly close here without the nurse ever being investigated.

Investigation

If the complaint advances, the board notifies the nurse, gathers records, and may request a written response or interview. The nurse usually keeps practicing during this stage unless the board seeks an emergency action.

Resolution

Three broad endings: dismissal or closure with no action; a negotiated agreed/consent order with terms; or, in the minority of cases, a formal hearing. Only final actions become public discipline in Nursys.

Framework per NCSBN's discipline resources; the Missouri State Board of Nursing runs its own version, summarized below.

The Missouri board's published process

Board-sourced

The State Board of Nursing receives and processes each written complaint that contains sufficient information to investigate and alleges conduct that would violate the Nursing Practice Act (Chapter 335, RSMo). Each complaint is logged in a closed board database, investigated, and disposed of either by dismissal by the board or by informal charges filed with the Administrative Hearing Commission. Where the board pursues discipline, it causes a complaint to be filed with the Commission under chapter 621, and only after the Commission finds that grounds exist may the board impose a sanction.

Timeline: The board publishes no timeline for receiving, investigating, or resolving a complaint. The only durations set in statute are post-filing hearing deadlines at the Administrative Hearing Commission: a hearing within 45 days of the board's filing, and in any event within 120 days (RSMo 335.066).

All complaints must be in writing and identify the complainant by name and address; the complaint and any investigation records are a closed record not open to public inspection (20 CSR 2200-4.030). The complainant is notified of the disciplinary action taken, if any. Sanctions the board may impose after a Commission finding include censure, probation up to five years, suspension up to three years, or revocation (RSMo 335.066).

Requirements verified against the Missouri State Board of Nursing, Public Complaint Handling and Disposition Procedure (20 CSR 2200-4.030) · last checked Jun 16, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

This is descriptive, not legal advice. If you have received notice of a complaint, the Missouri State Board of Nursing is the authoritative source, and a licensed attorney can advise on your specific situation.

Missouri board complaint FAQ

How does the Missouri State Board of Nursing handle a complaint against my license?: The State Board of Nursing receives and processes each written complaint that contains sufficient information to investigate and alleges conduct that would violate the Nursing Practice Act (Chapter 335, RSMo). Each complaint is logged in a closed board database, investigated, and disposed of either by dismissal by the board or by informal charges filed with the Administrative Hearing Commission. Where the board pursues discipline, it causes a complaint to be filed with the Commission under chapter 621, and only after the Commission finds that grounds exist may the board impose a sanction.
How long does a nursing board complaint take in Missouri?: The board publishes no timeline for receiving, investigating, or resolving a complaint. The only durations set in statute are post-filing hearing deadlines at the Administrative Hearing Commission: a hearing within 45 days of the board's filing, and in any event within 120 days (RSMo 335.066). Nationally, NCSBN describes investigations running from a few weeks to over a year depending on complexity, and a nurse usually keeps practicing during the investigation unless the board seeks an emergency action.
Is a complaint against my Missouri nursing license public?: A pending complaint is generally not public. Only a final disciplinary action becomes part of your public record and appears in Nursys. All complaints must be in writing and identify the complainant by name and address; the complaint and any investigation records are a closed record not open to public inspection (20 CSR 2200-4.030). The complainant is notified of the disciplinary action taken, if any. Sanctions the board may impose after a Commission finding include censure, probation up to five years, suspension up to three years, or revocation (RSMo 335.066).
Where do I file or respond to a complaint in Missouri?: Complaints and responses go through the Missouri State Board of Nursing, which is always the authoritative source. A complaint is not a finding: many close at intake for lack of jurisdiction. Practicing on a lapsed or restricted license, or ignoring a board notice, is what turns a complaint into discipline.

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The arc of a complaint

Intake and jurisdiction review

Investigation

Resolution

Framework per NCSBN's discipline resources; the Missouri State Board of Nursing runs its own version, summarized below.

The Missouri board's published process

Board-sourced

Missouri board complaint FAQ

How does the Missouri State Board of Nursing handle a complaint against my license?

How long does a nursing board complaint take in Missouri?

The board publishes no timeline for receiving, investigating, or resolving a complaint. The only durations set in statute are post-filing hearing deadlines at the Administrative Hearing Commission: a hearing within 45 days of the board's filing, and in any event within 120 days (RSMo 335.066). Nationally, NCSBN describes investigations running from a few weeks to over a year depending on complexity, and a nurse usually keeps practicing during the investigation unless the board seeks an emergency action.

Is a complaint against my Missouri nursing license public?

A pending complaint is generally not public. Only a final disciplinary action becomes part of your public record and appears in Nursys. All complaints must be in writing and identify the complainant by name and address; the complaint and any investigation records are a closed record not open to public inspection (20 CSR 2200-4.030). The complainant is notified of the disciplinary action taken, if any. Sanctions the board may impose after a Commission finding include censure, probation up to five years, suspension up to three years, or revocation (RSMo 335.066).

Where do I file or respond to a complaint in Missouri?

Complaints and responses go through the Missouri State Board of Nursing, which is always the authoritative source. A complaint is not a finding: many close at intake for lack of jurisdiction. Practicing on a lapsed or restricted license, or ignoring a board notice, is what turns a complaint into discipline.