How to get a Registered Professional Nurse license in Michigan

Requirements for a Registered Professional Nurse license

Education or training

Completion of a registered nurse education program: Michigan board-approved, CASN-accredited, or out-of-state and accredited by a recognized nursing accreditor (or documented by transcripts and a director-of-nursing letter as meeting Michigan curriculum rules).¹
Who may teach it: Michigan programs must be approved by the Board of Nursing; out-of-state programs accredited under R 338.10303d(2).¹
Alternative: Foreign-educated applicants: substantially equivalent education shown by a CGFNS CES professional report, CGFNS certification or JS&A evaluation.¹

Exam

NCLEX-RN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing)¹
Passing score: Passing score on the NCLEX computerized adaptive test, as set by NCSBN.¹
When you can take it: Apply to LARA with the fee to establish eligibility; eligible once you have completed a Michigan board-approved RN program, a CASN-accredited program, an out-of-state program accredited by a recognized nursing accreditor (or documented as equivalent), or a foreign program evaluated by CGFNS or JS&A.¹
Time limit: Must pass within 3 years of graduation (or of meeting the out-of-state/foreign education requirement); after that, a written certification of skills competency from a board-approved program is needed before retesting, and the exam must then be passed within 1 year (the board may extend by up to 6 months for disability, military service, absence from the US or similar).¹
Exam waived: Foreign (non-US/Canada) graduates submit a CGFNS CES professional report, CGFNS certification or a JS&A evaluation; the evaluation is waived for NCLEX passers with 5+ years of active, discipline-free licensure in another state.¹

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
Applicants must show verification that no disciplinary proceedings are pending and no sanctions are in force from each issuing entity; relicensure applicants must establish good moral character under 1974 PA 381.¹

Also required

One-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking (content and provider standards set by rule; self-certification accepted).¹

Also required

At least 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years before the license is issued.³

Also required

Working knowledge of English (e.g. program taught in English, 60 English-medium college credits, or a minimum score such as TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS Academic 6.5).³

How much a Registered Professional Nurse license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Complete an approved RN education program (or have foreign credentials evaluated by CGFNS or JS&A).¹
2. Apply to LARA for licensure by examination with the fee through MiPLUS.¹ aca-prod.accela.com⁵
3. Give fingerprints to the Michigan State Police for the state and FBI background check.¹
4. Complete the human trafficking training and at least 2 hours of implicit bias training (within the 5 years before licensure).¹
5. Pass the NCLEX-RN (within 3 years of graduation to avoid the skills-competency requirement).¹
6. Already licensed in another state? Apply by endorsement instead; a 1-year temporary license can be issued within 48 hours of proof of the other license.⁴

Apply online

aca-prod.accela.com⁵

Temporary or provisional license

The Board of Nursing may grant a non-renewable temporary license to an applicant licensed as an RN in another state or Canada; the department issues it within 48 hours of proof that the other license is active and in good standing. It expires after one year or earlier on licensure, failure of the NCLEX/CGFNS exam, or failure to complete the application.⁴

Processing time

Temporary licenses for nurses licensed elsewhere: within 48 hours of proof of an active license in good standing. No processing time found for full licenses.⁴

Renewal and continuing education

How often

Every 2 years³

When it expires

Nursing licenses expire every 2 years on the anniversary of the issue date (the date the initial license was granted).³

Renewal fee

$60² (Charged per year of the license term)

Continuing education

At least 25 hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

At least 2 of the 25 hours in pain and symptom management each renewal period.¹
Implicit bias: at least 1 hour for each year of the license cycle (2 hours per 2-year renewal); may also count toward the 25 hours.³
Nurses who also hold a controlled substance license: one-time opioids and controlled-substances awareness training.¹

Approved courses

Accepted CE includes programs offered for credit by ANCC, AANP, AANA, ACNM, ACCME, AMA, AOA, NLN, NAPNES, another board of nursing or a board-approved nursing program; academic courses (5 hours per semester credit); APRN specialty certification (25 hours); national specialty exam (10 hours, max 20); plus capped hours for publications, reading (max 4), committees (max 4), presenting (max 6) and precepting/orientation (max 5 each). No more than 12 hours in 24 hours. Keep records 4 years.¹

Exemptions

The 25-hour requirement applies only to licensees licensed for the full 2 years before expiry; waivers under MCL 333.16205 must be requested at least 30 days before the last board meeting before expiry.¹

If it expires

Lapsed license, not licensed elsewhere: lapsed up to 3 years - application, good moral character, 25 CE hours (2 pain) in the past 2 years, implicit bias; 3 to 7 years - also fingerprints, 25 hours including 3 hours each in six set topics, and a skills-competency certification; 7+ years - also retake and pass the NCLEX-RN within 2 years of approval.¹
Lapsed in Michigan but currently licensed in good standing in another state or Canadian province: application, good moral character, 25 CE hours (2 pain) and implicit bias; fingerprints when lapsed more than 3 years.¹

Renew online

aca-prod.accela.com⁵

Moving to Michigan with a license from another state

These are the routes the Bureau of Professional Licensing publishes for the Registered Professional Nurse license.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a registered nurse in Michigan, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Michigan is on the Michigan license lookup page.

Look up a license

aca-prod.accela.com⁵

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Mich. Admin. Code R 338.10101 to R 338.10705 (Board of Nursing – General Rules, eff. May 8, 2024)
• Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7001 to R 338.7005 (Public Health Code – General Rules: renewal cycle, English standard, implicit bias)
• MCL 333.16327
• MCL 333.16181 (temporary licenses, incl. RNs licensed elsewhere and military dependents)

Rule changes since January 2024

• May 8, 2024: Board of Nursing General Rules amended (2024 MR 9), including NCLEX eligibility, endorsement and relicensure rules.¹

Common questions

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