Registered Nurse / Michigan
2026 data Michigan board official source

Michigan Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides patient care, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians. Requires NCLEX-RN exam.

What the Michigan data shows for Registered Nurses

To practice as a registered nurse in Michigan, the state licensing board requires 2,473 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-RN. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Michigan's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

Upfront cost is $53, with renewal running $53 on a 2-year cycle. Expect roughly 3 weeks of processing once a complete application is submitted. Maintaining the license requires 25 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For registered nurses, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
44/100
Registered Nurse · Michigan

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 F
2,473 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$158
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$55/yr
$109 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Michigan

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,473 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$158
Renewal Fee
$109
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
3 wks
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Registered Nurse →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Nurse All Michigan licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Michigan licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in Michigan? ▼
Michigan requires 2473 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-RN), and an initial fee of $158. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in Michigan? ▼
Certification as a registered nurse in Michigan means clearing the state's checklist: 2473 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Michigan licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to Michigan from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for registered nurses 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 Michigan. Verify the specifics with the Michigan licensing board.
Does Michigan require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for registered nurse licensing in Michigan. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in Michigan? ▼
Michigan ties continued registered nurse licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $109 renewal fee.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in Michigan? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Michigan is $53. The renewal fee is $53 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 3 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in Michigan? ▼
In Michigan, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 3 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered nurse license

Registered Nurse in Michigan, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Michigan's registered nurse requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Registered Nurse in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state registered nurse license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Michigan's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Michigan overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Michigan 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.