StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Michigan

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$412.9
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Board of Nursing

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Graduation from an approved practical nursing program (Michigan-approved, ACEN/CNEA/CCNE-accredited out-of-state, or CASN-accredited Canadian program) not less than 40 weeks in duration., pass a criminal background check. A criminal background check is required for all applicants (except certain relicensure applicants whose license expired within the last three years). No minimum age was stated in the Nursing Licensing Guide. Human trafficking training (one-time) and implicit bias training are also required. michigan.gov returns HTTP 403 to automated fetches; verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-27. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. Michigan's Nursing Licensing Guide requires the practical nursing education program to be 'not less than 40 weeks in duration' and to include courses in both theory and clinical practice complying with Mich. Admin. Rules R 338.10306, R 338.10307, and R 338.10309 (Michigan-located programs approved by the Board, or an out-of-state/Canadian program accredited by ACEN/CNEA/CCNE/CASN). The guide states a minimum program duration in weeks rather than a specific total clock-hour count, so hours is left null. michigan.gov returns HTTP 403 to automated fetches; verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-27. [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). Computerized adaptive test administered at Pearson VUE test centers. National registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE, separate from Michigan's own application + license fee (see fees.application). [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Board of Nursing with the $212.9 application fee. [1]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Board of Nursing issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Michigan.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $212.9
License fee [1] None specified
Renewal fee [1] $131
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Relicensure application fee (after a lapse) [1] $232.9

LARA's Nursing Licensing Guide states a single combined 'Application Fee + 2 year license fee' of $212.90 for LPN licensure by examination or by endorsement — Michigan does not itemize a separate stand-alone application fee versus license-issuance fee, so application captures the combined figure and license is left null. Renewal (2-year cycle) is $131. michigan.gov returns HTTP 403 to automated fetches; verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-27.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

The Nursing Licensing Guide's standard 'Renewal Requirements Checklist' does not list a continuing-education-hour mandate for routine on-time LPN renewal (only human-trafficking and implicit-bias trainings, which are one-time/annual attestations, not a CE-hour count). A 25-hour continuing-education requirement applies only to relicensure after a license has lapsed, not to routine renewal, so ceHours is left null for the standard renewal path. michigan.gov returns HTTP 403 to automated fetches; verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-27.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Michigan is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact — it does not appear among the 43 jurisdictions on NCSBN's official NLC implementation map. Nurses licensed as an LPN in another state or Canada may instead apply for a Michigan license by endorsement (same $212.90 combined application + license fee), which requires an active unencumbered out-of-state license originally obtained via NCLEX-PN or the Practical Nurse Registration Examination.

20 state-approved training providers in Michigan — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $212.9
  • $200
Total$412.9

Frequently asked questions

How long must a Michigan practical nursing program be?

Not less than 40 weeks, including both theory and clinical practice components, at a program approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing (or an equivalent accredited out-of-state/Canadian program).

How much does it cost to get an LPN license in Michigan?

$212.90, which combines the application fee and the first two-year license fee, plus the separate $200 NCLEX-PN fee paid to Pearson VUE.

How often do I renew my Michigan LPN license, and does it require continuing education?

Every 2 years for $131. Routine on-time renewal does not require a specific continuing-education-hour count; a 25-hour CE requirement applies only if relicensing after a lapsed license.

Is Michigan part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

No. Michigan is not currently an NLC member state, so a Michigan LPN license is valid only in Michigan; endorsement is required to practice under license in another state.

Do I need a background check to become an LPN in Michigan?

Yes, a criminal background check is required for essentially all applicants as part of the licensure process.

Sources

  1. [1] michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bpl/Nursing/Licensing-Info-and-Forms/Nursing-Licensing-Guide.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] ncsbn.org/public-files/NLC_Map.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10