Michigan Nursing Licensing Guide
Everything CNAs, LPNs & RNs Need to Get Licensed in Michigan
Indiana is a compact state. That’s the single biggest thing that separates it from most states nurses ask about, and it changes everything about how you get licensed here.
If you’re a travel nurse, relocating from another state, or a staffing agency placing nurses in Indiana, this page covers the complete licensing picture, who regulates what, how to transfer your license, renewal rules, and the registry requirements that catch agencies off guard.
Who’s in Charge of Your License in Michigan?
Two agencies. Split by role.
| Your Role | Regulated By | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| RN, LPN | Michigan LARA: Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) | michigan.gov/lara |
| CNA | Michigan LARA: Nurse Aide Registry | michigan.gov/lara |
LARA Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL), RNs and LPNs
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Bureau of Professional Licensing handles all RN and LPN licensing in Michigan, initial applications, endorsements, renewals, and verifications. All transactions run through the MiPLUS online portal.
- License lookup: MiPLUS License Search
- MiPLUS portal (applications and renewals): miplus.michigan.gov
How long does LARA BPL take?
| Application Type | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Endorsement (out-of-state transfer) | 4–8 weeks |
| Initial licensure post-NCLEX | 2–4 weeks |
| Online renewal | 2–4 weeks |
Incomplete applications are the primary cause of delays, specifically missing Nursys verification from your prior state. Submit your Nursys request the same day you file with LARA to avoid unnecessary holdups.
LARA Nurse Aide Registry, CNAs
Michigan’s Nurse Aide Registry is also administered by LARA. It is the mandatory listing for CNAs working in Michigan’s Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities. Employers must verify registry status before hiring.
- Registry portal: michigan.gov/lara/nar
Michigan’s Limited License Option
Michigan offers a limited license for nurses who have applied for full licensure by endorsement but are still waiting on processing. This allows eligible nurses to practice while their application is pending, a significant advantage over states like Illinois and Florida that offer no equivalent. Details on eligibility and application are in Section 4.
What Does Your Role Actually Require in Michigan?
| Role | Licensing Body | Exam | Renewal Deadline | CE Required | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | LARA / NAR | NNAAP | Oct 31, even years | 12 hrs/year (in-service) | NAR, mandatory |
| LPN | LARA / BPL | NCLEX-PN | Oct 31, even years | 25 hrs/cycle | None |
| RN | LARA / BPL | NCLEX-RN | Oct 31, even years | 25 hrs/cycle | None |
Sources:Michigan Public Health Code, MCL 333.17201·Michigan Admin. Code R 338.10101·42 CFR Part 483
Michigan Is NOT a Compact State, What That Means for You
Michigan is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
This is the single most important fact for travel nurses and staffing agencies operating in Michigan. There is no active NLC legislation in Michigan as of the time of writing.
What This Means Practically
- A compact multistate license from any state, Texas, Florida, Indiana, or anywhere else, does not permit practice in Michigan
- Every nurse working in Michigan needs a standalone Michigan license issued by LARA BPL
- For staffing agencies: verifying a compact multistate license is not sufficient for Michigan placements. You need a confirmed Michigan license number before placing any nurse
Can a Compact State Nurse Practice in Michigan?
No. Even if a nurse holds a valid multistate NLC license from their home state, that license has no authority in Michigan. They must apply for Michigan licensure by endorsement through LARA BPL before starting any Michigan assignment.
Check current compact states:ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact
What About Michigan Nurses Moving to Compact States?
If you’re licensed in Michigan and later establish permanent residency in a Nurse Licensure Compact state, you may become eligible to apply for a multistate nursing license through your new home state’s licensing board.
Your Michigan license remains valid until it expires, but once your legal residence changes, you’ll need to follow the licensing requirements of your new home state.
How to Transfer Your License to Michigan
Michigan does not have reciprocity. Every out-of-state applicant goes through the endorsement process regardless of which state they’re coming from.
RN and LPN Endorsement (LARA BPL)
- Create an account at the MiPLUS portal
- Complete the endorsement application and pay the fee, RN: $45 · LPN: $45 (verify current fees at LARA, Michigan’s fees are among the lower end nationally)
- Request license verification from your current state via Nursys, most states transmit this directly to LARA electronically
- Submit official nursing school transcripts if requested by LARA
- Complete a Michigan background check if required for your application type
- Track your application through MiPLUS, expect 4–8 weeks for a complete application
How to Transfer Your License to Michigan
Michigan’s limited license allows nurses who have applied for full licensure by endorsement to practice in Michigan while their application is being processed. This is a notable advantage for travel nurses on tight assignment timelines.
To be eligible for a limited license you must:
- Have submitted a complete endorsement application to LARA BPL
- Hold a current, valid license in good standing in another state
- Have no pending disciplinary actions in any state
Limited license specifics:
- Valid for 90 days from date of issue
- Covers the same scope of practice as a full Michigan license
- Cannot be renewed, if your full endorsement is still processing at 90 days, contact LARA directly
- Apply for the limited license at the same time as your endorsement application through MiPLUS
CNA Endorsement / Reciprocity (LARA Nurse Aide Registry)
To transfer a CNA certification from another state to Michigan’s Nurse Aide Registry:
- Your out-of-state certification must be current and in good standing
- No substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on your record
- Training must meet the federal 75-hour minimum under 42 CFR 483.35, Michigan does not require additional hours beyond the federal standard for reciprocity applicants
Steps:
- Submit the Michigan NAR Reciprocity Application to LARA
- Provide proof of out-of-state certification and training completion
- Complete a Michigan background check
- LARA verifies your status with your prior state before adding you to the Michigan NAR
CE Rules in Michigan, What You’re Required to Complete
Michigan requires 25 continuing education (CE) hours every two years for both Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). That’s more than Illinois (20 hours) and Indiana (no state-required CE), and slightly higher than Florida’s standard 24-hour requirement. Michigan also requires nurses to complete specific mandatory topics as part of those 25 hours. Missing one of the required subjects can delay your license renewal.
| Role | Hours per Cycle | Cycle | Mandatory Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN | 25 contact hours | 2 years | See mandatory topics below |
| LPN | 25 contact hours | 2 years | See mandatory topics below |
| CNA | 12 hrs in-service | Annual | Employer-provided, per 42 CFR 483.35 |
Source:Michigan Admin. Code R 338.10121
Mandatory CE Topics, Know These Before You Renew
| Role | Licensing Body | Exam | Renewal Deadline | CE Required | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | LARA / NAR | NNAAP | Oct 31, even years | 12 hrs/year (in-service) | NAR, mandatory |
| LPN | LARA / BPL | NCLEX-PN | Oct 31, even years | 25 hrs/cycle | None |
| RN | LARA / BPL | NCLEX-RN | Oct 31, even years | 25 hrs/cycle | None |
That accounts for 4 mandatory hours out of your 25 every cycle. The remaining 21 hours can be any approved CE topic relevant to your nursing practice.
The Implicit Bias Requirement, What It Covers
Since 2022, Michigan requires all licensed nurses to complete 1 hour of implicit bias training per renewal cycle as part of their CE. The training must cover how implicit bias affects patient care, health disparities, and clinical decision-making.
This requirement was introduced under Michigan Executive Directive 2020-7 and subsequently codified into the licensing rules. It applies to RN and LPN renewals.
Source:Michigan Executive Directive 2020-7·
The Human Trafficking Requirement
Since 2023, Michigan requires 1 hour of human trafficking awareness training per renewal cycle. The training must cover recognizing signs of human trafficking and appropriate reporting protocols for healthcare workers.
Approved CE Providers
Michigan CE must come from LARA-approved providers. Keep your completion certificates, LARA audits CE compliance at renewal.
| Provider | Website |
|---|---|
| American Nurses Association (ANA) | nursingworld.org |
| Nurse.com CE Center | nurse.com/ce |
| Relias Learning | relias.com |
| Medscape Nursing | medscape.com/nurses |
| AANP | aanp.org |
| Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) | minurses.org |
Verify CE provider approval status at michigan.gov/lara before purchasing a course.
The Registry Every Michigan CNA Needs to Know About
The Michigan Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). It serves as the official registry for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) working in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified healthcare facilities throughout the state.
Healthcare employers use the registry to verify certification before hiring. Maintaining an active registry status is required for employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant in regulated healthcare settings.
Who Needs to Be Listed?
| Role | Registry Required? |
|---|---|
| CNA | Yes, before employment in certified healthcare facilities |
| RN | No |
| LPN | No |
What Employers and Agencies Must Do
Under 42 CFR 483.35 and Michigan state requirements, employers at Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities must:
- Verify registry status before hiring any CNA, not during onboarding, before hiring
- Refuse to hire any worker with a substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation
- Report findings of abuse or neglect to LARA for registry entry
For staffing agencies: registry verification is required before every placement, not just at initial onboarding. Keep verification records on file.
Background Check Requirement
CNA applicants in Michigan must complete a criminal background check as part of the NAR listing process. Michigan uses the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) for state-level checks and FBI fingerprint-based checks for federal-level screening.
Everything You Need to Know About Renewing Your Michigan License
Michigan has one of the most unusual renewal structures in the country, and it’s the detail that catches nurses off guard more than anything else.
Every Michigan nursing license, RN and LPN, expires on October 31 of every even-numbered year. It doesn’t matter when you were licensed or what month you were born. October 31, 2024. October 31, 2026. October 31, 2028. Every nurse in Michigan renews on the same date.
That means if you get licensed in November of an even year, your first renewal is less than two years away. Plan your CE hours accordingly from day one.
| Profession | Renewal Cycle | Renewal Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Every 2 Years | 25 contact hours of approved continuing education. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Every 2 Years | 25 contact hours of approved continuing education. |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | Every 2 Years | Maintain active Florida Nurse Aide Registry status and satisfy all applicable renewal requirements. |
Renewal Fees
| Role | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|
| RN | $45 |
| LPN | $45 |
How to Renew Online (RN, LPN)
- Log in to the MiPLUS portal
- Select “Renew a License” and choose your license type
- Attest to CE completion, have your certificates ready, LARA conducts CE audits
- Confirm mandatory CE topics are covered, pain and symptom management, implicit bias training, human trafficking awareness
- Pay the renewal fee
- Save your renewal confirmation as proof of active status
Missed Your Renewal Date?
- Michigan allows late renewal with a late penalty fee on top of the standard renewal fee
- Practicing on an expired license violates the Michigan Public Health Code, MCL, this is actively enforced by LARA
- Check with LARA directly for the current late renewal window and penalty amounts
Expired beyond the late renewal window? You’ll need formal reinstatement. Michigan reinstatement may require additional CE documentation, a background check, and LARA board review. Contact BPL
Health Professional Recovery Program (HPRP)
Michigan operates the Health Professional Recovery Program (HPRP), the state’s monitoring and support program for healthcare professionals dealing with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or other health issues that may affect safe practice. It provides an alternative to disciplinary action for eligible participants.
If you’re a Michigan nurse facing these challenges, HPRP is worth contacting before a licensing issue develops.
Go Deeper, Pick Your Role
This page covers Michigan-wide licensing rules. Each role guide has the exact steps, exam details, fees, and renewal walkthrough for that specific credential.
| Role | What the guide covers | Regulatory body |
|---|---|---|
| CNA Michigan → | NNAAP exam, 75-hour training, NAR registration, and endorsement | LARA / NAR |
| LPN Michigan → | NCLEX-PN, LARA application, limited license, CE, and endorsement | LARA / BPL |
| RN Michigan → | NCLEX-RN, LARA application, limited license, CE, and non-compact rules | LARA / BPL |
Frequently Asked Questions
Licensing Information Disclaimer: Licensing requirements, fees, examination details, renewal standards, and Nurse Licensure Compact participation may change over time. While we strive to keep this information current and accurate, MyShyft does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information provided. Always verify licensing requirements directly with the Michigan Board of Nursing before making educational, licensing, employment, or relocation decisions. Reliance on information contained on this page is at the reader’s own risk.