Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Michigan
Healthcare employers in the state of Michigan employ more nurses per capita than the national average, and the state offers an attractively low cost of living and high quality of life. Whether you’re seeking your first registered nurse license or are hoping to move from another state, you need to know the process for obtaining a license.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- How to get your Michigan nursing license by exam
- How to get your license by endorsement
- How to renew your Michigan nursing license
- Licensing fees
- Continuing education requirements
- How to contact the Michigan Board of Nursing
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How to get your Michigan nursing license by examination
Step 1: Education
To become a registered nurse, you must first earn a nursing degree. The state of Michigan accepts applicants for licensure who have completed any of the following types of training from an accredited nursing program:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.
Graduating with a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing program or either of the baccalaureate options listed above will prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN test and to provide high-quality, compassionate registered nursing services in Michigan.
Step 2: Apply
The state of Michigan is no longer accepting paper applications for nursing licenses. All applications must be submitted online at www.michigan.gov/miplus. In addition to answering all questions on the applications, providing all supporting documentation, fees, and transcripts and submitting to a criminal background check, applicants are required to complete training in human trafficking and implicit bias.
As part of the application process, you need to register to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) test. Registration can be submitted and the $200 fee paid through the Pearson VUE Professional Testing page or by phone at (866) 496-2539. You will not be eligible to take or schedule the exam until you have received notification from the Department.
Step 3: Transcripts
Graduates of Michigan nursing programs can use the Michigan Nursing School Certification Form to verify their eligibility. Those who have graduated from accredited nursing programs outside of Michigan should have official transcripts sent directly to the Board of Nursing from the school attended.
Step 4: Criminal Record Check
After your online application has been submitted, the state will email you an Application Confirmation letter that includes instructions for having a criminal background check conducted. You will also be asked to provide documentation if you answered yes to any of the good moral character questions on the application.
Step 5: Take the NCLEX
Once you have registered, Pearson will send notification of your registration to the Department of Nursing. In turn, the Department will notify Pearson VUE when your state application is complete. Pearson VUE will then send you an Authorization to Test and a list of available test-taking sites in your state.
The NCLEX-RN will test you on what you learned over the course of your nursing program. You can expect to be asked questions surrounding the following topics:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Management of Care
- Safety and Infection Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
- Physiological Adaptation
Michigan does not limit the number of times you can take the NCLEX-RN, but you must pass within three years of having graduated from a nursing program or after obtaining one of the required evaluations or certifications required. Forty-five days must pass between failing and scheduling a re-test. If you do not pass within three years you will have to complete a certification of skills competency.
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Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)
If you are already licensed as a registered nurse in another state, the Michigan process for licensing by endorsement is straightforward and simple. Log onto the MiPLUS website and register a new account. Complete the application for Licensure by Endorsement online, noting that you have a license in another state and adding rows to provide details about any other licenses.
Verification of licensure is required and should be submitted directly to the Michigan Board of Nursing by the licensing agency of any state in which you hold or ever held a license.
Pay the associated $208.80 fee and submit to a fingerprint report and criminal background check using the instructions and identification numbers that will be sent to you after the application and fee have been received. There will be a fee for the fingerprint and background check service as well.
How to renew your Michigan nursing license
Step 1: Michigan’s nursing license renewal rules
Your initial Michigan registered nursing license is valid for two years, and then each renewal will be valid for two years. A renewal notification postcard will be sent to your address of record and email address 90 days before the license’s expiration date.
If you have not yet completed training on identifying victims of human trafficking, you will be required to complete it as part of your renewal. You will also be required to complete one hour of implicit bias training each year. These sessions do not count toward your CE requirement.
Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements
Michigan requires nurses to earn 25 hours of continuing education within each two-year period of licensure. At least two of those hours must be in pain and pain symptom management. No more than 12 credit hours can be earned during a 24-hour period.
Incredible Health offers free Michigan continuing education units to help you achieve your license renewal goals. Upon completion, you can instantly print out your certification. Though Michigan does not keep records of continuing education units earned and you do not have to submit evidence of having earned them when you renew your license, you are required to keep proof of all certification units earned for a minimum of four years in case of random audit.
Step 3: Submit your renewal application
Your Michigan license renewal application can be submitted online by logging into your MiPLUS account at www.michigan.gov/MiPLUS. Your renewal fee of $128.50 can be paid using a debit or credit card.
Michigan nursing licensing fees
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Michigan, whether you’re a first-time nurse or moving to Michigan from another state. For more information, visit the Michigan Board of Nursing licensing page.
Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):
- NCLEX fee: $200
- Application fee: $208.80 (RN/LPN)
- Fingerprint processing fee: $62.75
Licensing fee by endorsement (already have RN licensure):
- Application fee: $208.80
- Fingerprint processing fee: $62.75
License renewal fee:
- Application fee: $128.50
Legislation is pending for Michigan to become a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses. Check the NCSBN site to stay updated.
*Fees are subject to change.
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Michigan continuing education requirements
RNs, LPNs, and APRNs need 25 contact hours every two years to maintain their Michigan nursing license. Two of these hours must be in pain and symptom management. (One contact hour equals 50-60 minutes of classroom instruction. One CEU credit equals 10 contact hours.)
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Michigan Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
How to contact the Michigan Board of Nursing
Michigan Board of Nursing
Phone: (517) 241-0199
Fax: (517) 241-9416
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600_72603_27529_27542—,00.html
Mailing address:
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Professional Licensing
PO Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909
Physical address:
2407 N. Grand River Ave.
Lansing, MI 48906
