Michigan Nursing License Requirements: RN, LPN

Overview

The Michigan Public Health Code defines the practice of nursing in Michigan and empowers the Board to establish qualifications for nurse licensure; to establish standards for education and approve nurse education programs; develop and implement criteria for assurance of continued competency; and take disciplinary action against licensees when the health, safety, and welfare of the public has been adversely affected.

The Public Health Code establishes the Board of Nursing to consist of 23 members: 9 registered nurses (RNs), 1 nurse midwife, 1 nurse anesthetist, 1 nurse practitioner, 3 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and 8 public members.

The enactment of the Public Health Code permitted LPN board members to act upon all matters except those that relate to standards for the education and training of RNs. Decisions on such matters are concurred in solely by a majority of the RN and public board members

 

Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure by Examination

  1. You must complete and submit the application for licensure with the appropriate fee, as well as arrange for supporting documents to be sent to the Board of Nursing. Eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN is determined solely by the Michigan Board of Nursing.
  2. You must register to take the NCLEX-RN by contacting Pearson Professional Testing (PPT)

    at www.vue.com/nclex. After you have submitted your licensure application, supporting documents, and registered with PPT, the Michigan Board of Nursing will make you eligible to take the examination. PPT will then send you an Authorization to Test (ATT) along with instructions for scheduling your test date, time and location. You must sit for your examination within 90 days of receiving your ATT. You may obtain an NCLEX Bulletin from PPT or www.ncsbn.org.

  3. Applicants for registered nurse licensure in Michigan are required to undergo a Criminal Background Check (CBC) and provide evidence of fingerprint processing from an authorized agency. You should make contact with an approved agency within 7-10 days after application submission. Additional documentation is included in this packet offering detailed instruction on the CBC and fingerprinting process.

UNITED STATES EDUCATED APPLICANTS:

  1. Michigan nursing graduates must request that their approved nursing school submit a Michigan Nursing School Certification Form directly to the Michigan Board of Nursing. Out-of-state nursing graduates must have their approved nursing school submit final official transcripts directly to the

    Michigan Board of Nursing. Transcripts must include degree earned and graduation date to be accepted.

  2. You must arrange for a verification and/or certification of your license status to be sent directly to the Michigan Board from any state or province where you currently hold or have ever held a permanent license or registration. Copies of licenses are not acceptable.
  3. If you have been licensed in a state that uses the Nursys verification system, you should register with Nursys on-line at www.nursys.com or by calling toll-free (866) 819-1700 for verification of your license(s).

FOREIGN EDUCATED APPLICANTS:

  1. Applicants educated outside of the United States or Canada who have either not taken the NCLEX-RN for licensure in another state or who have not been licensed as a registered nurse in another state for at least five years must either:
    1. Have a Professional Report completed by the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). If your education was not taught in English, the Michigan Board must also receive a CGFNS Language Report on English Proficiency. This is an additional service that must be provided by CGFNS. Please contact CGFNS at 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651,
      1. 222-8454 or via their website, www.cgfns.org, to obtain an application for the CES Professional Report and English Proficiency Report, if necessary. The completed CES Report must be sent to our office directly from CES/CGFNS.

        OR

    2. Be certified by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Please contact CGFNS at 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA19104-2651,
      1. 222-8454, or via their website, www.cgfns.org, to request an application for the CGFNS Certification Program. Verification of your CGFNS certification must be forwarded to this office directly from CGFNS.
  2. An applicant who is a graduate of a nurse education program that is located outside of the United States, has passed the NCLEX-RN examination, and has maintained an active registered nurse license with no disciplinary sanctions for at least 5 years immediately preceding the application for a Michigan license is not required to obtain a CGFNS credentials evaluation or certification. An individual who meets these criteria should apply for Michigan RN licensure by endorsement.

CANADIAN EDUCATED APPLICANTS:

  1. Canadian applicants who have graduated from an approved Canadian educational program taught in English need to have the following documentation submitted to the Michigan Board to be

    eligible for the NCLEX examination:

    1. Transcripts of your nursing education sent to our office directly from the school.
    2. Current verification of your Canadian license sent directly to this office from the Canadian licensing agency.
  2. Canadian applicants who have graduated from an educational program that was not taught in English or was located outside of Canada need to have the following documentation submitted to the Michigan Board to be eligible for the NCLEX examination:
    1. Either CGFNS certification or a CES Professional Report sent to our office directly from CGFNS if your nursing program was located outside of Canada or not taught in English. See previous page for additional instructions.
    2. Current verification of your Canadian license sent directly to this office from the Canadian licensing agency.
  3. A registered nurse temporary license is available to individuals who are currently licensed as a registered nurse in Canada. The temporary license is valid for no more than one year. If you fail the NCLEX-RN, your temporary license is no longer valid. If you have already failed this examination you do not qualify for the Michigan temporary license. Before you will be issued a temporary license the Michigan Board must receive:
    1. Complete license application and appropriate fee.
    2. Current verification of your Canadian license sent directly to this office from the Canadian licensing agency.

Please Note:

An application submitted with the appropriate fee is valid for three years from the date it is received. If an applicant fails to complete the requirements for licensure within the three year period following the date of application, the application will become invalid.

If educated in the United States, an applicant for registered nurse licensure in Michigan must take the NCLEX-RN at least once within two years from the date of graduation from an approved nursing school.

If an individual does not pass the NCLEX-RN within 12 months of the first attempt, he or she will be required to complete an RN exam review course and provide certification of completion of the exam review course to the Michigan Board.

If an individual is not successful in passing the NCLEX-RN after 3 attempts, he or she will be required to complete an RN exam review course and provide certification of completion of the review course to the Michigan Board.

If an individual is not successful in passing the NCLEX-RN after 6 attempts, he or she will be required to complete an entire approved RN educational program before being eligible to take the NCLEX again for the Michigan Board.

If you pass the examination, you will receive your license but you will not receive notice of your test results.

If you fail the test, you will receive a breakdown of your scores.

 

RN Licensure by Endorsement

  1. You must complete and submit the application for licensure with the appropriate fee, as well as arrange for supporting documents to be sent to the Board of Nursing.
  2. The Michigan Board of Nursing may issue a license by endorsement to an applicant who is currently licensed in another state if that state’s licensure requirements are substantially equivalent to those required in Michigan. Michigan requires that all applicants for endorsement have previously taken the NCLEX or SBTPE examination for licensure in another state.
  3. Applicants for registered nurse licensure in Michigan are required to undergo a Criminal Background Check (CBC) and provide evidence of fingerprint processing from an authorized agency. You should make contact with an approved agency within 7-10 days after application submission. Additional documentation is included in this packet offering detailed instruction on the CBC and fingerprinting process.
  4. Arrange for a verification and/or certification of your license status to be sent directly to the Michigan Board of Nursing from any state or province where you currently hold or have ever held a permanent license or registration. Copies of licenses are not acceptable.

If you have been licensed in a state that uses the Nursys verification system, you can register with Nursys by calling toll-free (866) 819-1700 or register on-line at www.nursys.com for verification of your license(s).

FOREIGN EDUCATED APPLICANTS:

  1. Applicants educated outside of the United States or Canada who have not been licensed as a registered nurse in another state for at least five years must either:
    1. Have a Professional Report completed by the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). If your education was not taught in English, the Michigan Board must also receive a CGFNS Language Report on English Proficiency. This is an additional service that must be provided by CGFNS. Please contact CGFNS at 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651,
      1. 222-8454 or via their website, www.cgfns.org, to obtain an application for the CES Professional Report and English Proficiency Report, if necessary. The completed CES Report must be sent to our office directly from CES/CGFNS.

        OR

    2. Be certified by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Please contact CGFNS at 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651,
      1. 222-8454, or via their website, www.cgfns.org, to request an application for the CGFNS Certification Program. Verification of your CGFNS certification must be forwarded to this office directly from CGFNS.

PROVISIONAL (TEMPORARY) REGISTERED NURSE LICENSE

A provisional (temporary) registered nurse license may be issued by the Michigan Board of Nursing to registered nurses currently licensed in more than one state. An individual that holds a provisional registered nurse license must always practice under the supervision of a fully licensed registered nurse.

  1. A registered nurse provisional license may be obtained upon receipt of the application fee, criminal background check report, and a verification of licensure from any other state. The license must be current, active, and in good standing.
  2. The provisional license is valid for a maximum of one year.

3 The full registered nurse license will be issued upon receipt of all required documentation for Registered Nurse Licensure by Endorsement.

Please Note:

  • An application submitted with the appropriate fee is valid for two years from the date it is received.

    If an applicant fails to complete the requirements for licensure within the two year period following the date of application, the application will become invalid.

  • In order to practice as a nurse specialist in Michigan, you must apply for and obtain a nurse specialty license. You may download the nurse specialty application on the nursing page on our website at www.michigan.gov/healthlicense.

 

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Examination

  1. You must complete and submit the application for licensure with the appropriate fee, as well as arrange for supporting documents to be sent to the Board of Nursing. Eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-PN is determined solely by the Michigan Board of Nursing.
  2. You must register to take the NCLEX-PN by contacting Pearson Professional Testing (PPT)

    at www.pearsonvue.com/nclex. After you have submitted your licensure application, supporting documents, and registered with PPT, the Michigan Board of Nursing will make you eligible to take the examination. PPT will then send you an Authorization to Test (ATT) along with instructions for scheduling your test date, time and location. You must sit for your examination within 90 days of receiving your ATT. You may obtain an NCLEX Bulletin from the PPT website or from www.ncsbn.org.

  3. Applicants for licensed practical nurse licensure in Michigan are required to undergo a Criminal Background Check (CBC) and provide evidence of fingerprint processing from an authorized agency. You should make contact with an approved agency within 7-10 days after application submission. Additional documentation is included in this packet offering detailed instruction on the CBC and fingerprinting process.

UNITED STATES GRADUATE APPLICANTS:

  1. Michigan nursing graduates must request that their approved nursing school submit a Michigan Nursing School Certification Form directly to the Michigan Board of Nursing. Out-of-state graduates must

    have their approved nursing school submit final official transcripts directly to the Michigan Board of Nursing Transcripts must include degree earned and graduation date to be accepted.

  2. Arrange for a verification and/or certification of your license status to be sent directly to the Michigan Board of Nursing from any state or province where you currently hold or have ever held a permanent license or registration. Copies of licenses are not acceptable.
  3. If you have been licensed in a state that uses the Nursys verification system, you should register with Nursys on-line at www.nursys.com or by calling toll-free (866) 819-1700 for verification of your license(s).

Page 3 of 17

FOREIGN GRADUATE APPLICANTS:

  1. Applicants who graduated from an educational program outside the United States taught in English need to have the following documentation submitted to the Michigan Board of Nursing to be eligible for the NCLEX-PN examination:
    1. Have a Professional Report completed by the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Contact CGFNS at 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651, (215) 222-8454 or via their website, www.cgfns.org, to obtain an application for the CES Professional Report and English Proficiency Report, if necessary. The completed CES Report must be sent to our office directly from CES/CGFNS.

      OR

    2. Have a full course-by-course credential evaluation of your nursing education reviewed and certified by a credentialing agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES). The list of approved credentialing agencies can be found on their website, www.naces.org, under “Current Members”.
  2. Applicants who have graduated from an educational program outside the United States NOT taught in English need to have the following documentation submitted to the Michigan Board of Nursing to be eligible for the NCLEX-PN examination:
    1. Have a Professional Report completed by the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). If your educational program was not taught in English, the Michigan Board of Nursing must also receive the CGFNS Language Report on English Proficiency. Contact CGFNS at 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA

      19104-2651, (215) 222-8454, or via their website, www.cgfns.org, to obtain an application for the CES Professional Report and English Proficiency Report. The completed CES Report and English Proficency Report must be sent to our office directly from CGFNS.

      OR

    2. Have a full course-by-course credential evaluation of your nursing education reviewed and certified by a credentialing agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES). The list of approved credentialing agencies can be found on their website, www.naces.org under “Current Members”.

      AND

    3. Foreign graduates whose nursing education was not taught in English, must pass the TOEFLibt administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The passing score on the TOEFLibt is an overall score of 80. Information about the TOEFLibt exam is available on the web at www.toefl.org The Institutional Code for Nursing is 9228.

 

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Endorsement

  1. You must complete and submit the application for licensure with the appropriate fee, as well as arrange for supporting documents to be sent to the Michigan Board of Nursing.
  2. The Michigan Board of Nursing may issue a license by endorsement to an applicant who is currently licensed in another state if that state’s licensure requirements are substantially equivalent to those required in Michigan. Michigan requires that all applicants for endorsement have previously taken the NCLEX or SBTPE examination for licensure in another state.
  3. Applicants for a licensed practical nurse license in Michigan are required to undergo a Criminal Background Check (CBC) and provide evidence of fingerprint processing from an authorized agency. You should make contact with an approved agency within 7-10 days after application submission. Additional documentation is included in this packet offering detailed instruction on the CBC and fingerprinting process.
  4. Arrange for a verification and/or certification of your license status to be sent directly to the Michigan Board of Nursing from any state or province where you currently hold or have ever held a permanent license or registration. Copies of licenses are not acceptable.

If you have been licensed in a state that uses the Nursys verification system, you can register with Nursys by calling toll-free (866) 819-1700 or register on-line at www.nursys.com for verification of your license(s).

Please Note:

  • An application submitted with the appropriate fee is valid for two years from the date it is received. If an applicant fails to complete the requirements for licensure within the two year period following the date of application, the application will become invalid.

LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE BY ENDORSEMENT INSTRUCTIONS CONTINUED

  1. You must complete and submit the application for licensure with the appropriate fee, as well as arrange for supporting documents to be sent to the Michigan Board of Nursing.
  2. The Michigan Board of Nursing may issue a license by endorsement to an applicant who is currently licensed in another state if that state’s licensure requirements are substantially equivalent to those required in Michigan. Michigan requires that all applicants for endorsement have previously taken the NCLEX or SBTPE examination for licensure in another state.
  3. Applicants for a licensed practical nurse license in Michigan are required to undergo a Criminal Background Check (CBC) and provide evidence of fingerprint processing from an authorized agency. You should make contact with an approved agency within 7-10 days after application submission. Additional documentation is included in this packet offering detailed instruction on the CBC and fingerprinting process.
  4. Arrange for a verification and/or certification of your license status to be sent directly to the Michigan Board of Nursing from any state or province where you currently hold or have ever held a permanent license or registration. Copies of licenses are not acceptable.

If you have been licensed in a state that uses the Nursys verification system, you can register with Nursys by calling toll-free (866) 819-1700 or register on-line at www.nursys.com for verification of your license(s).

Please Note:

  • An application submitted with the appropriate fee is valid for two years from the date it is received. If an applicant fails to complete the requirements for licensure within the two year period following the date of application, the application will become invalid.

FOREIGN EDUCATED APPLICANTS:

  1. Applicants who graduated from an educational program outside the United States taught in English must either:
    1. Have a Professional Report completed by the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Contact CGFNS at 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651, (215) 222-8454, or via their website, www.cgfns.org, to obtain an application for the CES Professional Report and English Proficiency Report, if necessary. The completed CES Report must be sent to our office directly from CES/CGFNS.

      OR

    2. Have a course-by-course evaluation of your nursing education reviewed and certified by a credentialing agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The list of approved credentialing agencies can be found on their website, www.naces.org, under “Current Members”.
  2. Applicants who have graduated from an educational program outside the United States NOT taught in English must either:
    1. Have a Professional Report completed by the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Since your educational program was not taught in English, the Michigan Board must also receive the CGFNS Language Report on English Proficiency. Contact CGFNS at 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA

      19104-2651, (215) 222-8454, or via their website, www.cgfns.org, to obtain an application for the CES Professional Report and English Proficiency Report, if necessary. The completed CES Report must be sent to our office directly from CES/CGFNS.

      OR

    2. Have a course-by-course evaluation of your nursing education reviewed and certified by a credentialing agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES). The list of approved credentialing agencies can be found on their website, www.naces.org under “Current Members”.

      AND

    3. Foreign graduates whose nursing education was not taught in English, must pass the TOEFLibt administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The passing score on the TOEFLibt is an overall score of 80. Information about the TOEFLibt exam is available on the web at www.toefl.org. The Institutional Code for Nursing is 9228.

Top Things Applicants Should Know

  1. NOTE: If you have ever been licensed in another state and you have a current disciplinary sanction on that license (even if the license is inactive), you are not eligible for licensure in Michigan according to the Public Health Code, PA 368, as amended, Section 333.16174 (2). Sanctions include probation, limitation, suspension, revocation, or fine. Upon resolution of the sanction and verification that the license is active with no disciplinary action in effect, you can proceed with the filing of an application for a Michigan license or registration.

  2. Read the entire application before submitting it and DO NOT send the checklist to the Board office.
  3. Applications and mail are processed as quickly as possible in date-received order.
  4. Please allow time to process your application before you call or email our office to check on the status.

    Applications may take up to 2 weeks to reach our office. Applications with fees are first processed through our central mailroom then through our payment processing office.

  5. Mail, including mail sent overnight, is first received by our central mailroom prior to reaching the Board.
  6. REFUND POLICY: If you wish to withdraw your application, you must notify the Board of Nursing in writing to request a partial refund.
  7. If your name and/or address changes please notify the Board of Nursing in writing within 30 days. To change a name or address, you can download the Data Change/Duplicate License Request Form from our website at www.michigan.gov/healthlicense and fax it to (517) 335-2044 ATTN: Applications Section or mail the form to: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Health Care Services, Board of Nursing, Application Section,

PO Box 30193, Lansing, MI 48909. Telephone calls are NOT accepted for these changes. After your license is issued, you can change your address online at www.michigan.gov/elicense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long will it take to process my application?

Applications and mail are processed as quickly as possible in date-received order. Applications with fees are first processed through our central mailroom then through our payment processing office.

Q. What do I do if I forgot to include my payment with my application?

Please submit the fee along with a copy of your application and a letter indicating that you failed to submit the required payment with your previous application. Mail to: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Health Care Services, Board of Nursing, PO Box 30193, Lansing, MI 48909.

Q. How do I check on the status of my application?

Within approximately three weeks of mailing your application to our office, you should receive

an Application Confirmation letter containing your customer number. You may use your customer number to check the status of your application at www.michigan.gov/appstatus.

Q. If I have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor will it stop me from being licensed?

We ask that you submit your application, fee and information regarding the occurrence. The Board of Nursing will review your file and make a decision at that time. Please keep in mind that we do take into consideration the type of conviction, the age that you were when the incident occurred and the time that has elapsed since the conviction.

Q. How can I get more information regarding the NCLEX-RN Examination?

You can contact Pearson Professional Testing (PPT) at (866) 496-2539 after your application has been submitted. In addition, an NCLEX bulletin can be downloaded at www.ncsbn.org or www.pearsonvue.com/nclex.

Q. How long is my license valid?

The initial license is good for a partial licensure cycle and will expire on the upcoming March 31st renewal date. Each subsequent license will cover a full two-year cycle.

Q. Do I have to earn continuing education for this first license?

Since the initial license is valid for a partial licensure cycle you will not be required to earn continuing education. However, after the first renewal, Michigan nurses are required to earn 25 hours of board- approved continuing education credit over each two-year cycle of licensure. One of the 25 hours must be earned in pain and pain symptom management. The Michigan Board of Nursing does not receive attendance reports or track your education for you. You should maintain copies of your continuing education certificates for at least a four year period in case you are audited by the Michigan Board of Nursing.

Q. How do I renew my license?

You will be mailed a renewal notice approximately six to eight weeks prior to the expiration date of your license. The notice will include instructions on how to renew your license online.

Fees

Registered Nurse by Examination Fee: $54.00

Registered Nurse by Endorsement Fee: $54.00

Registered Nurse by Endorsement and Provisional License Fee: $64.00

Practical Nurse (LPN) by Examination Fee: $54.00

Practical Nurse (LPN) by Endorsement Fee: $54.00

References

http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299_63294_27529_27542—,00.html

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