JACKSON, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – Mississippi has passed new legislation allowing certain military medical personnel to obtain practical nursing licenses through an alternative pathway, a move aimed at expanding healthcare access and supporting veterans’ transition into civilian medical roles.
Governor Tate Reeves signed House Bill 1262 into law, authorizing U.S. Army combat medics, U.S. Navy hospital corpsmen, and U.S. Air Force aerospace medical service specialists to pursue licensure as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Mississippi.
“I was proud to sign House Bill 1262 into law,” Reeves said in a statement. “It’s a common-sense piece of legislation that will strengthen healthcare in Mississippi, while also supporting our brave service members. I’m glad we could get this done on behalf of those who sacrifice so much for our state and nation.”
The law requires applicants to have at least two years of clinical experience involving direct patient care, including trauma or emergency-related services. It permits eligible military medics to challenge the state’s LPN examination without completing traditional nursing school prerequisites.
Set to take effect on July 1, 2025, the law makes Mississippi one of the first states in the nation to formally recognize military medical training as a viable route to nursing licensure.
The initiative was championed by members of the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, including Senior Master Sgt. Scott Burris, Maj. John Morgan Hughes, and retired Lt. Col. Paul Boackle, who began advocating for the change in 2021.
“There are a lot of people who join our unit as aerospace medical service specialists who go on to pursue nursing school,” Burris said. “This law now bridges the gap for our members and gives them alternate avenues on their journey to become nurses within our state.”
Supporters say the law both honors the medical expertise of military personnel and helps alleviate shortages in Mississippi’s healthcare workforce by fast-tracking experienced providers into clinical roles.
Mississippi Army and Air National Guard, June 25, 2025, in Jackson, Mississippi. The
bill authorizes licensed practical nursing applicants who are U.S. Army combat
medics, U.S. Navy hospital corpsmen, or U.S. Air Force aerospace medical service
specialists to obtain licensure to practice practical nursing in the state. (U.S. Air
National Guard photo by Capt. Kiara Spann)
Mississippi Army and Air National Guard, June 25, 2025, in Jackson, Mississippi. The
bill authorizes licensed practical nursing applicants who are U.S. Army combat
medics, U.S. Navy hospital corpsmen, or U.S. Air Force aerospace medical service
specialists to obtain licensure to practice practical nursing in the state. (U.S. Air
National Guard photo by Capt. Kiara Spann)
Mississippi Army and Air National Guard, June 25, 2025, in Jackson, Mississippi. The
bill authorizes licensed practical nursing applicants who are U.S. Army combat
medics, U.S. Navy hospital corpsmen, or U.S. Air Force aerospace medical service
specialists to obtain licensure to practice practical nursing in the state. (U.S. Air
National Guard photo by Capt. Kiara Spann)
