Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Minnesota
2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides basic patient care under supervision. Requires NCLEX-PN exam.

What the Minnesota data shows for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s

To practice as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Minnesota, the state licensing board requires 1,176 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-PN. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Minnesota's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $119, with renewal running $85 on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For licensed practical nurse (lpn)s, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
56/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Minnesota

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,176 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$119
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$43/yr
$85 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Minnesota

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,176 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$119
Renewal Fee
$85
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) All Minnesota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Minnesota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Minnesota? ▼
Minnesota's requirements cover 1176 hours of education or training, the NCLEX-PN exam, and an initial fee of $119. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Minnesota? ▼
To become a licensed licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Minnesota, you must meet the state's requirements including 1176 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Minnesota licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to Minnesota from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for licensed practical nurse (lpn)s nationally works like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Minnesota. Verify the specifics with the Minnesota licensing board.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensing in Minnesota. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Minnesota? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Minnesota, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $85.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed practical nurse (lpn) license

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Minnesota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed practical nurse (lpn)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Minnesota licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.