LPN Requirements in Minnesota 2026
To become a licensed practical nurse in Minnesota, you must complete a Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and apply for licensure through the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Minnesota is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so your license is valid across NLC member states.
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Minnesota’s LPNs work across a wide range of settings: nursing facilities, clinics, home health agencies, schools, and hospitals. But the licensing process follows the same path regardless of where you plan to practice. The Minnesota Board of Nursing oversees all practical nursing licensure, approves programs, and sets the eligibility rules for the NCLEX-PN. Here’s what the process looks like from start to finish.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, the licensing application process, endorsement, renewal, and salary and job outlook information.
- Education requirements
- Apply for your LPN license
- Endorsement from another state
- License renewal and CE requirements
- LPN scope of practice in Minnesota
- LPN salary and job outlook
Education Requirements for Minnesota LPN Licensure
To qualify for the NCLEX-PN in Minnesota, you must graduate from a practical nursing program that the Minnesota Board of Nursing has approved. The Board maintains the list of Minnesota LPN programs on its website, and only graduates of approved programs are eligible to apply for licensure by examination.
Most practical nursing programs in Minnesota are offered through community and technical colleges and take about 12 months to complete. Programs include both classroom coursework (anatomy, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals) and supervised clinical hours. Upon graduation, you’ll receive a diploma or certificate. Some programs offer an associate degree pathway, which can make the transition to RN programs more straightforward later.
To be eligible for the NCLEX-PN, you must submit a Confirmation of Program Completion from your nursing program to the Board. If it has been five years or more since you completed a practical nursing program, or if you haven’t passed the NCLEX within five years of completing your program, the Board requires you to complete an approved review course before taking the exam.
How to Apply for Your Minnesota LPN License
Once you’ve completed your program, the licensing process runs through the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The steps are straightforward but must be completed in the right order.
Submit your application for licensure by examination to the Board along with the $105 application fee. The application fee is non-refundable. You’ll also submit a criminal background check as part of the application. The Board reviews all applications and has the authority to deny licensure based on criminal history. Contact the Board directly if you have questions about how prior convictions may affect your eligibility.
After the Board processes your application, you’ll receive authorization to test and can register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. You’ll need to present one acceptable form of identification at the testing center. The name on your ID must match the name you used when registering. Once you pass, the Board issues your LPN license, and you can legally begin practice in Minnesota.
If it has been five years or more since you completed your program, or if you have not passed the NCLEX within five years of program completion, you’ll need to complete an approved review course before registering for the exam. Information about approved providers is available on the Board’s website.
Endorsement: Already Licensed in Another State?
If you hold an active LPN license from another state and want to practice in Minnesota, you can apply for licensure by endorsement rather than taking the NCLEX again. The endorsement application fee is $105, and a background check is required.
Minnesota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. If you already hold a compact license from your home state, you don’t need a separate Minnesota license to practice here. Your compact license is valid across all NLC member states. If your current license is not a compact license, endorsement is the route to Minnesota licensure.
Minnesota also maintains a Border State Registry, which provides an additional recognition pathway for nurses licensed in certain bordering states. Check the Board’s website for current Border State eligibility details, as this list can change.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Minnesota LPN licenses renew every two years. Your license expires at the end of your birth month, with the specific renewal year determined at initial licensure based on your date of birth. The Board’s renewal FAQ notes that the initial licensure period can range from 6 to 29 months, depending on your birth date and the date you were first licensed. After that initial period, renewal runs on a standard two-year cycle. The Board sends a reminder postcard approximately three months before your expiration date.
To renew, you must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education within the 24-month period immediately preceding your renewal deadline. There are no mandatory CE topics, so you can select coursework most relevant to your practice area. Renewal is completed through the Board’s online services portal, and the renewal fee is $85.
If your license lapses, reregistration is required. Contact the Minnesota Board of Nursing for current reregistration procedures. The Board’s online verification tool lets you check the status of any active Minnesota nursing license.
LPN Scope of Practice in Minnesota
The Minnesota Board of Nursing defines the LPN scope in terms of focused assessment. LPNs carry out focused assessments and provide care within established protocols, working under the direction of a registered nurse or physician. RNs, by contrast, conduct comprehensive assessments, synthesize clinical data, and carry primary responsibility for the patient care plan. For a full breakdown of how LPN and RN scope of practice differ, including credential comparisons and career considerations, see our LPN vs. RN guide.
In terms of practice settings, Minnesota’s LPNs work across a broad range of environments. Long-term care, including nursing facilities, assisted living, and home health, accounts for a substantial share of LPN employment in the state. Clinics and provider offices represent another major category. Hospitals employ a smaller share of Minnesota LPNs than in some other states. Other employers include schools, correctional facilities, hospices, and community-based residential programs.
LPNs who want to work in hospitals or carry more clinical autonomy typically pursue RN licensure. Minnesota has several LPN-to-RN bridge pathways at community and technical colleges that allow LPNs to complete an ADN in a condensed timeframe by crediting prior practical nursing coursework. See our page on RN licensure in Minnesota for the full requirements.
Minnesota LPN Salary and Job Outlook
According to BLS state data, Minnesota licensed practical nurses earned a median annual wage of $63,750 as of May 2025. The mean annual wage was $64,900. LPNs in the top quarter of earners in the state made $71,270 or more. Those in the top 10% earned $77,380 or above.
| Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Median (50th) | $63,750 |
| Mean | $64,900 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,270 |
| 90th Percentile | $77,380 |
On the employment side, Projections Central estimates 3.6% growth for LPNs in Minnesota between 2022 and 2032, reaching approximately 14,850 jobs. The state averages around 1,150 LPN job openings per year, which reflects both new positions and turnover in existing roles. Long-term care and community-based settings continue to drive demand, consistent with the broader trend of care moving outside acute hospital settings.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Minnesota require a background check for LPN licensure?
Yes. A criminal background check is required as part of the initial licensure application. The Minnesota Board of Nursing reviews all applications and can deny licensure based on criminal history. If you have concerns about how prior convictions may affect your eligibility, contact the Board before applying.
Is Minnesota a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes, Minnesota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. LPNs who hold a compact license from their primary state of residence can practice in Minnesota without obtaining a separate Minnesota license. If you’re moving to Minnesota and it will become your primary state of residence, you’ll need to declare Minnesota as your home state and transfer your compact license accordingly.
How long does a Minnesota LPN program take?
Most Board-approved practical nursing programs in Minnesota take about 12 months to complete. Programs are offered primarily through community and technical colleges and lead to a diploma, certificate, or associate degree. Program length can vary slightly depending on whether you’re attending full-time and the specific curriculum at your school.
What is the NCLEX-PN passing requirement in Minnesota?
Minnesota uses the national NCLEX-PN passing standard set by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). There is no separate state cutoff. You must register through Pearson VUE after receiving authorization to test from the Board. If you haven’t passed within five years of completing your program, a review course is required before you can reapply.
How do I renew my Minnesota LPN license?
LPN licenses in Minnesota renew every two years through the Board’s online services portal. You’ll need to complete 12 contact hours of continuing education in the 24 months before your renewal deadline. The renewal fee is $85. Your license expires at the end of your birth month, and the Board sends a reminder postcard approximately three months before that date.
- Board-approved education is required — You must graduate from a Minnesota Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program before applying to take the NCLEX-PN.
- Application fee is $105 — The licensure by examination fee is $105 and non-refundable. A background check is also required at the time of application.
- Minnesota is a compact state — A Nurse Licensure Compact license lets you practice in Minnesota and other NLC states without separate state licensure.
- Renewal requires 12 CE hours every two years — Licenses renew biennially with a $85 renewal fee. No mandatory CE topics, so you choose coursework relevant to your practice.
- Median wage is $63,750 — Minnesota LPNs earned a median annual wage of $63,750 as of May 2025, according to BLS state data.
Find Board-approved LPN programs in Minnesota, application links, and enrollment information for schools near you.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.