StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Minnesota

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$305
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Minnesota Board of Nursing

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Completion of a Minnesota Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program., pass a criminal background check. A criminal background check (with a separate $32 fee) is required as part of the application for licensure by examination. No minimum age was stated on the Board's LPN licensure-by-examination page. Applicants whose training occurred more than five years prior must complete a review course before testing. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. Applicants must submit a Confirmation of Program Completion from a Minnesota Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program. Minnesota Rules Chapter 6305 (professional and practical licensure) and the Board's program-approval standards do not publish a single fixed statewide clock-hour minimum on the pages reviewed; program length/content is set through the Board's program-approval process rather than one codified hour figure. [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 the Minnesota Board of Nursing's own application fee (see fees.application). [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Minnesota Board of Nursing with the $105 application fee. Typical processing time: License mailed approximately 10 business days after taking the NCLEX-PN exam (test authorization is valid 90 days from issuance; applications become void if the exam is not taken within one year of submission).. [1]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Minnesota Board of Nursing issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Minnesota.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $105
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $85
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Criminal background check [3] $32
Re-examination application [3] $60
Application for licensure by endorsement [3] $105

Fee schedule effective January 1, 2019 (still current as of this research date): RN/LPN application for licensure by examination or endorsement is $105, plus a separate $32 criminal background check fee. There is no additional stand-alone 'license issuance' fee once approved. 'Registration renewal' (Minnesota's term for license renewal) is $85. mn.gov's fees.jsp page redirects to a bot-detection challenge for automated fetches; verified via archive snapshot 2026-06-29.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 12 continuing education hours required per cycle.

A typical continuing-education participation period is 24 months. During a typical 24-month period, an LPN must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education (an RN must complete 24). Requirements may also be met via a current nursing specialty certificate or certain professional activities. mn.gov's continuing-ed page redirects to a bot-detection challenge for automated fetches; verified via archive snapshot 2025-11-30.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Minnesota 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 in another state may instead apply for a Minnesota license by endorsement ($105 application fee, same as by-examination).

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

Cost calculator

  • $105
  • $200
Total$305

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to become an LPN in Minnesota?

Complete a Board-approved practical nursing program, pass a criminal background check, and pass the NCLEX-PN.

How much does it cost to apply for an LPN license in Minnesota?

$105 for the application, plus a separate $32 criminal background check fee and the $200 NCLEX-PN fee paid to Pearson VUE.

How often do I renew my Minnesota LPN license, and how many CE hours are required?

Renewal ('registration renewal') is on a 24-month cycle for $85. LPNs must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education during a typical 24-month participation period.

Is Minnesota part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

No. Minnesota is not currently an NLC member state, so out-of-state LPNs must apply for licensure by endorsement to practice in Minnesota.

How long does it take to get licensed after passing the NCLEX-PN in Minnesota?

The Board mails the license approximately 10 business days after the exam is taken.

Sources

  1. [1] mn.gov/boards/nursing/licensure/apply-for-a-license/lpn-lic-by-exam-us-prog.jsp — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] mn.gov/boards/nursing/licensure/licensure/fees.jsp — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] mn.gov/boards/nursing/licensure/continuing-ed/ — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] ncsbn.org/public-files/NLC_Map.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10