Nursing License Requirements in Michigan 2026
The Michigan Board of Nursing, under the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, licenses both LPNs and RNs. Michigan is not a Nursing Licensure Compact state, so nurses from other states must apply for licensure by endorsement. First-time applicants must pass the NCLEX after completing a board-approved program and submitting an application through Michigan’s MiPLUS online licensing portal.
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Michigan’s nursing licensure process runs through the Bureau of Professional Licensing, which manages applications via MiPLUS, the state’s online licensing portal. The Michigan Board of Nursing approves programs, sets eligibility rules, and handles disciplinary matters for both LPNs and RNs. All first-time applicants must complete a board-approved nursing program before they can apply to sit for the NCLEX.
Michigan is not a Nursing Licensure Compact state. HB 4246 passed the Michigan House in June 2025 and is pending in the Michigan Senate, but until it is enacted, out-of-state nurses cannot use a compact license to practice in Michigan. Out-of-state nurses must apply for licensure by endorsement.
Use the links below to jump to the license type and information you need.
- LPN License Requirements in Michigan
- RN License Requirements in Michigan
- License Renewal and Continuing Education
- Michigan Nursing Salary and Job Outlook
- Michigan Nursing Resources and Organizations
Looking for a different license type? Select below:
- Certified Nurse Aide Requirements in Michigan
- Practical Nursing License Requirements in Michigan
- Registered Nursing License Requirements in Michigan
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Board of Nursing has produced a webinar to help nursing students and new licensees understand licensing and professional responsibilities. A link is available on the main page of the Michigan Board of Nursing site.
LPN License Requirements in Michigan
Education Requirements for LPNs
To qualify for LPN licensure in Michigan, candidates must complete a practical nursing program approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing. Programs in other states are acceptable if substantially equivalent to Michigan-approved programs. Michigan maintains a list of approved in-state programs.
When selecting an LPN program, consider whether it holds Board approval, where its clinical placements are located, and its NCLEX-PN pass rate. Board approval is required for the program to qualify. Pass rate is a condition of continued approval, but if a program loses approval, students who completed the program before that point are not automatically barred from licensure. See our guide to LPN programs in Michigan for a list of approved options and factors to weigh when choosing.
LPN Application Process
Once you complete your program, your school sends certification to the Board. Candidates from out-of-state programs must have official transcripts sent directly. You’ll then submit an application through the Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) via MiPLUS and register with Pearson VUE at vue.com/nclex. Both steps must be complete before the Board grants authorization to test. The authorization is valid for 90 days. You can schedule your exam at any Pearson VUE testing center in Michigan or another state.
Fingerprinting is required. The Board recommends scheduling fingerprinting no later than 7 to 10 days after submitting your application to avoid delays. Current application fees are listed on the Bureau of Professional Licensing’s MiPLUS portal.
Candidates are expected to attempt the NCLEX-PN within two years of program completion. Michigan allows up to six total attempts. After three failed attempts, you must complete a Board-approved NCLEX review course before testing again. A 45-day wait is required between all attempts.
Out-of-State LPNs Applying in Michigan
If you hold a license in another state, the Michigan Board of Nursing requires verification from every state where you’ve held a permanent license. Send verification requests directly from those state boards to Michigan.
Internationally educated LPN applicants must have credentials evaluated through either the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools. The TOEFL is required if your nursing education was not conducted in English.
A current disciplinary sanction, including an outstanding fine, in another state makes an applicant ineligible for Michigan licensure until the sanction is resolved. Criminal convictions don’t automatically bar licensure. The Board reviews the type of offense and mitigating factors.
RN License Requirements in Michigan
Education Requirements for RNs
RN candidates in Michigan must complete a Board-approved registered nursing program. Michigan accepts both associate-level (ADN) and baccalaureate-level (BSN) prelicensure programs. A program completed in another state qualifies if it is substantially equivalent and includes both theory and clinical practice. For help comparing programs, see our overview of RN programs in Michigan or the broader guide to becoming an RN in Michigan.
NCLEX-RN and Application Process
After completing your program, you’ll apply to the Michigan Board of Nursing for permission to test and register separately with Pearson VUE. Only after both steps are complete will the Board issue authorization to test. In-state graduates will have a certification of education sent directly from their program. Out-of-state graduates must have official transcripts sent to the Board.
The exam fee is paid to Pearson VUE at the time of registration. Application fees are payable to the Board through MiPLUS. Michigan expects candidates to make their first NCLEX-RN attempt within two years of graduation. Michigan allows up to six total attempts. After three unsuccessful attempts, candidates must complete a Board-approved NCLEX review course before testing again. A 45-day wait is required between all attempts.
Fingerprinting is required. Contact a Board-approved fingerprinting agency no later than 7 to 10 days after submitting your application. The Board processes applications and payments in order received and notes that even overnight mail takes time to reach the correct department, so don’t check on your status immediately after submitting.
Out-of-State RNs Applying in Michigan
An RN with a license in good standing in another state can receive a provisional Michigan license after the Board receives license verification. Some additional materials may be required before a permanent license is issued. If you need a provisional license, the application fee is higher than the standard rate. Check the current fee schedule on MiPLUS before submitting.
Internationally educated nurses applying in Michigan must generally submit a course-by-course credential evaluation or hold CGFNS certification. If you completed your nursing education in Canada, you may be exempt from the CGFNS requirement. Instead, submit your transcript and a copy of your Canadian license directly to the Board. If your Canadian program was not conducted in English, the CGFNS review still applies. Canadian RNs are eligible for a temporary license while completing the NCLEX requirement, valid for up to one year, but invalidated if you fail a first attempt.
In some cases, internationally educated nurses who have held a U.S. license for less than five years may be required to submit an educational evaluation even if they already hold a state license.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Michigan nursing licenses renew on a two-year cycle. The Bureau of Professional Licensing sends renewal notifications via email and mailed postcard approximately 90 days before expiration. Renewals are processed through MiPLUS.
Michigan requires 25 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal cycle. At least two of those hours must cover pain and symptom management. No more than 12 credit hours can be earned in a single 24-hour period. The Michigan Board of Nursing must approve all CE programs or authorize the accrediting organizations that approve them.
In addition to CE hours, Michigan requires two training courses that do not count toward the 25-hour total. Human trafficking awareness training is a one-time requirement, due at initial licensure for applicants after January 6, 2022, or at first renewal for nurses who didn’t complete it with their original application. Implicit bias training is required every renewal cycle: one hour per year of the license, so two hours per two-year cycle.
Michigan allows a 60-day grace period after license expiration. During that window, you can submit a standard renewal application with the regular renewal fee plus a late fee. Once the grace period passes, you must go through the full relicensure process, which takes longer and costs more. Renewal applications include good moral character and disciplinary questions. Any “yes” answer requires supporting documentation.
Michigan Nursing Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Michigan employed approximately 104,950 registered nurses and 10,880 LPNs as of May 2025. BLS state data shows Michigan RNs earned a median annual wage of $94,300, while LPNs earned a median of $65,460.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $94,300 | 104,950 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | $65,460 | 10,880 |
| Occupation | Growth (2022–2032) | Avg Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | +2.7% | 5,950 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | +1.3% | 820 |
Projections Central estimates Michigan RN employment will grow 2.7% between 2022 and 2032, adding an average of 5,950 openings per year. LPN growth is projected at 1.3% over the same period, with roughly 820 average annual openings. The high volume of RN openings reflects both new positions and replacement demand as the existing workforce retires.
Michigan Nursing Resources and Organizations
The Michigan Center for Nursing is a workforce resource site that publishes state and regional data on nursing supply and demand. The site also maintains a list of scholarship programs for nursing students. Michigan conducts workforce surveys every two years and publishes regional breakdowns of the nursing workforce. Visit https://www.mhc.org/education for current data and scholarship listings.
LPNs may find membership in the Michigan Licensed Practical Nurses Association useful for professional development and peer support. Visit mlpna.org for membership information. RNs can join the Michigan Nurses Association, which represents RNs across the state. Visit minurses.org for more information.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Michigan a Nursing Licensure Compact state?
No. Michigan is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. HB 4246, which would add Michigan to the compact, passed the Michigan House in June 2025 and is currently pending in the Michigan Senate. Until it is enacted and takes effect, compact licenses from other states are not valid in Michigan, and out-of-state nurses must apply for licensure by endorsement.
How do I apply for a Michigan nursing license by endorsement?
Submit an application through Michigan’s MiPLUS portal, request license verification from every state where you hold or have held a license, complete the required human trafficking and implicit bias training, and schedule fingerprinting for the background check. Processing times vary. Applicants with licenses in good standing may be eligible for a provisional license while the permanent application is reviewed.
How many times can I retake the NCLEX in Michigan?
Michigan allows up to six total attempts for both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. A 45-day wait is required between attempts. After three failed attempts, you must complete a Board-approved NCLEX review course before you can test again. First-time applicants are expected to make their first attempt within two years of graduating from their nursing program.
How many CE hours are required to renew a Michigan nursing license?
Michigan requires 25 continuing education hours per two-year renewal cycle. At least two of those hours must cover pain and symptom management. Nurses must also complete two hours of implicit bias training each cycle, plus a one-time human trafficking awareness course at first renewal. The implicit bias and human trafficking hours do not count toward the 25-hour CE total.
What happens if my Michigan nursing license expires?
Michigan allows a 60-day grace period after a license expires. During that window, you can renew online through MiPLUS with the standard renewal fee plus a late fee. Once the grace period ends, you must go through the full relicensure process, which takes more time and costs more than a standard renewal.
Key Takeaways
- All first-time applicants need a board-approved program — Both LPN and RN candidates must complete a Michigan-approved program (or a substantially equivalent out-of-state program) before applying to test.
- Applications go through MiPLUS — Michigan’s online licensing portal, which handles initial licensure, endorsement, and renewal applications for LPNs and RNs.
- Michigan is not a compact state — Out-of-state nurses must apply by endorsement. HB 4246 passed the Michigan House and is pending in the Senate.
- Renewal requires 25 CE hours every two years — Plus mandatory human trafficking (one-time) and implicit bias (2 hrs/cycle) training that do not count toward the CE total.
- Michigan RNs earned a median of $94,300 — BLS state data for May 2025, with an average of 5,950 job openings projected annually through 2032.
Find Michigan-approved nursing programs, application requirements, and licensing information for your specific license type.
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.