Nursing License Requirements in Minnesota 2026
Minnesota licenses registered nurses and licensed practical nurses through the Minnesota Board of Nursing. New graduates apply by examination, completing a Board-approved program and passing the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN. Nurses licensed in other states apply by endorsement. Minnesota has not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact as of this writing, though NLC legislation has been active. Confirm current compact status with the Minnesota Board of Nursing before publishing. A border state recognition agreement covers nurses residing in four neighboring states.
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The Minnesota Board of Nursing oversees RN and LPN licensure for the state. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a nurse relocating from another state, the path to a Minnesota license runs through the Board. New graduates apply by examination. Experienced nurses from other states apply by endorsement. Either way, the Board reviews the application and determines eligibility before a license is issued. Minnesota has not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact as of this writing. Confirm current compact status with the Board before relying on a multistate license to practice here.
Use the links below to jump to the requirements that apply to your situation.
- LPN requirements in Minnesota
- Out-of-state LPN licensing
- RN requirements in Minnesota
- Out-of-state RN licensing
- International applicants
- Border state recognition
LPN Requirements in Minnesota
Education Requirements
A prospective LPN must complete an approved practical nursing program. The Minnesota Board of Nursing maintains a list of approved programs, and any program you enroll in should appear on that list before you begin.
The Application Process
After completing your program, submit an application to the Minnesota BON along with the required fee. Applications and current instructions are available on the Minnesota Board of Nursing website. There are separate application packets based on where you completed your education (in the U.S., Canada, or abroad), so make sure you select the right one.
U.S. graduates can use a Confirmation of Program Completion form to verify educational requirements. Minnesota graduates can complete this step online. You’ll also need to register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE.
Both the Board application and the Pearson VUE registration must be complete before you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT). The ATT allows you to schedule your exam. If you don’t pass the NCLEX-PN on the first attempt, the Board sends a re-examination packet along with a diagnostic report. A re-examination fee is required before you can reschedule. You can monitor your application status online through the Board’s portal.
Read LPN Programs in Minnesota for more on approved program options and what to look for when choosing one. For an overview of the LPN role and practice settings in the state, see practical nursing in Minnesota.
Out-of-State LPN Licensing
An LPN licensed in another state can apply for a Minnesota license by endorsement if they graduated from a Board-approved program or meet one of Minnesota’s exception categories. Some states license LPNs by equivalency, meaning the nurse didn’t graduate from a formally approved program but met comparable state requirements at the time. Minnesota will accept this for endorsement if the LPN has practiced at least 4,000 hours in the preceding five years.
Endorsement applicants need to provide license verification from the state where they were first licensed by examination and from the state where they were most recently employed as a nurse. The endorsement application can be completed online. If the Board isn’t satisfied that an applicant has shown continuing competency through recent licensure and practice, additional education or a refresher course may be required before a Minnesota license is granted.
Nurses who want to practice while their application is being processed can request a temporary permit by including the request with their endorsement application, along with a current copy of their license. The permit is valid for 60 days or until the Board acts on the permanent application. Official license verification will be required eventually. Depending on the state of original licensure, this process may be carried out online through Nursys.com.
RN License Requirements in Minnesota
Education Requirements
A prospective RN must complete a professional nursing program approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing or approved by the Board in another state. Minnesota nursing programs are expected to hold programmatic accreditation from a recognized accrediting body, or at a minimum, candidate status for accreditation.
The Minnesota Student Nurses Association offers resources for nursing students, though membership is not a licensure requirement. For guidance on selecting a program, see Choosing an RN Program in Minnesota.
The Application Process
After graduating, you’ll apply to the Minnesota Board and register separately with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN. Exam registration can be done by phone or online. Current application instructions and forms are available on the Minnesota Board of Nursing website. Your school will confirm your degree completion. Minnesota graduates can do this online. Graduates of out-of-state programs submit a paper form to the Board.
Once the Board approves your application, you’ll receive an ATT by mail or email. You must schedule and sit for the NCLEX-RN within the 90-day window the ATT provides. Expect your license approximately ten days after passing. If you don’t pass, you’ll receive re-examination instructions from the Board. Pearson also offers early results for a small fee, available a couple of days after you sit for the exam.
RNs who earn a BSN and complete relevant public health coursework can seek registration as a public health nurse through the Board. It’s not a legal requirement for most practice settings, but it confers an additional title for nurses interested in public health work. For RNs considering degree advancement, see RN to BSN programs in Minnesota.
Out-of-State RN Licensing
An RN licensed in another state applies for a Minnesota license by endorsement. You’ll need to provide license verification from the state where you’re currently employed (or most recently employed) and from the state where you were first licensed. Transcripts or degree completion documentation are required unless the licensing agency provides that information as part of the verification process.
If the Board determines there isn’t sufficient evidence of recent licensure and active practice, additional education may be required before a Minnesota license is issued. Nurses going through the endorsement process can request a temporary permit to practice in the interim. Include the request with your application along with a current copy of your license. Verify current permit duration and conditions with the Board, as permit policies can change.
International Applicants
Canadian applicants should submit verification of their Canadian license, or if not yet licensed, transcripts or confirmation of nursing program completion.
Nurses from other countries have additional requirements. A credentials evaluation report from CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) is required. If your nursing program was not conducted in English or was not located in an English-speaking country, you’ll also need to pass an English proficiency exam, either the IELTS or TOEFL. If the credentials evaluation identifies deficiencies, you can address them through additional coursework.
The Board advises completing the CGFNS evaluation before submitting your Minnesota application, since the application fee is non-refundable. If the evaluation reveals gaps in your credentials, it’s better to know before you pay.
Border State Recognition
Minnesota has not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact as of this writing, but the Board maintains a border state recognition agreement with North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. A nurse who lives in one of those states and holds an active, unrestricted license there may practice in Minnesota without obtaining a separate Minnesota license, with conditions.
To qualify, your bordering state license must be free of disciplinary sanctions. You can’t work for a temporary staffing agency, school, or non-healthcare agency in Minnesota without a Minnesota license. Any Minnesota employment must be reported to the Minnesota BON within ten days, and you’ll need to submit additional paperwork each time you renew your bordering state license. If you move to Minnesota, a Minnesota license is required.
Scholarships and Professional Organizations
The Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation offers scholarships at the baccalaureate level and above. Additional scholarship information is available on the Minnesota Board of Nursing website.
LPNs may wish to connect with the Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association. RNs can join the Minnesota Organization of Registered Nurses, an affiliate of the American Nurses Association, or the Minnesota Nurses Association, which is affiliated with National Nurses United. Membership in any of these organizations is not a licensure requirement.
Resources
- Minnesota Board of Nursing
- Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association
- Certified Nursing Assistant Requirements in Minnesota
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Requirements in Minnesota
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Minnesota participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
As of this writing, Minnesota has not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact. Confirm current status with the Minnesota Board of Nursing before relying on a multistate license to practice here. Nurses residing in a bordering state (North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, or Wisconsin) may qualify for border state recognition; see the Border State Recognition section above for details.
What exam is required for RN licensure in Minnesota?
RN applicants must pass the NCLEX-RN, administered through Pearson VUE. LPN applicants must pass the NCLEX-PN. Both are national exams used in every state. Minnesota’s Board reviews each application to determine eligibility before issuing the ATT that allows you to schedule the exam.
Can I practice in Minnesota while my endorsement application is being processed?
In most cases, yes. Include a temporary permit request with your endorsement application, along with a current copy of your license. Verify the current permit duration and conditions with the Board before relying on one, as permit policies can change.
What happens if I don’t pass the NCLEX on the first attempt?
The Board will send a re-examination packet along with a diagnostic report showing where you fell short. You’ll need to pay a re-examination fee to the Board and re-register with Pearson VUE before scheduling a second attempt. Retake limits and waiting periods are set by the Board and can change. Check current rules at the Minnesota Board of Nursing website before assuming you can reschedule immediately.
Are there additional requirements for nurses educated outside the United States?
Yes. A CGFNS credentials evaluation is required. If your program was not conducted in English, an English proficiency exam (IELTS or TOEFL) is also required. Complete the CGFNS process before submitting your application to the Minnesota BON, since the application fee is non-refundable. See the International Applicants section above for full details.
- Compact status unverified — Minnesota has not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact as of this writing. Confirm current status with the Board before relying on a multistate license here.
- Two paths to licensure — New graduates apply by examination (NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN). Nurses licensed in other states apply by endorsement.
- Border state exception — Nurses residing in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, or Wisconsin may qualify to practice in Minnesota under border state recognition without a separate Minnesota license.
- Temporary permits available — Endorsement applicants can request a temporary permit to practice while the Board reviews their application.
- International applicants need a CGFNS report — Nurses educated outside the U.S. (excluding Canada) must submit a credentials evaluation before applying to the Minnesota BON.
Find Minnesota-approved nursing programs, application requirements, and licensing information for RNs and LPNs in the state.