Michigan Nursing License by Endorsement 2026: Requirements & Application
If you already hold a nurse license in another U.S. state or Canada, Michigan endorsement is the route to request a Michigan RN or LPN license through MiPLUS, the state’s online professional licensing system.
Quick Answer
To get a Michigan nursing license by endorsement, submit the online RN or LPN application in MiPLUS, pay the Michigan application and 2-year license fee, complete the criminal background check instructions sent after application submission, send official license verification from every jurisdiction where you hold or have held a nurse license, and arrange official transcripts or credential evaluations when required.
Who Can Apply by Endorsement?
| Applicant type | Michigan endorsement rule in plain English |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | You generally need an active, unencumbered RN license in another U.S. state, or good-standing Canadian RN licensure, and you must have been initially licensed by passing the NCLEX-RN or the accepted Canadian RN exam before 2015. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | You generally need an active, unencumbered LPN license in another state, or good-standing Canadian practical nurse licensure, and you must have been initially licensed by passing the NCLEX-PN or accepted Canadian practical nurse exam. |
| Applicants licensed less than 5 years | Michigan may require additional education documentation if your program was not Michigan-approved or accredited by an accepted nursing accreditor. |
| International nursing graduates | Credential evaluation may be required unless you meet Michigan’s exemption based on NCLEX passage and at least 5 years of active U.S. licensure without disciplinary sanctions. |
Michigan Endorsement Requirements
Requirements for All Applicants
- Complete the online RN or LPN application in MiPLUS.
- Pay the application plus 2-year license fee by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover.
- Complete Michigan’s criminal background check instructions after submitting the application.
- Answer good moral character questions and upload supporting documents if any answer requires explanation.
- Complete required human trafficking training.
- Complete 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years immediately before license issuance.
- Provide a Social Security number or upload Michigan’s SSN affidavit if legally exempt.
- Show English language proficiency under Michigan’s health professional rules.
Documents Michigan Commonly Needs
- Official license verification from each state, U.S. jurisdiction, Canadian province, or country where you hold or ever held a nurse license.
- Official transcript from the nursing school or approved credentialing service.
- Credential evaluation for certain graduates educated outside the United States or Canada.
- Program letter or state-board letter if Michigan needs extra review of a non-accredited or closed nursing program.
- Name-change documentation if your records do not match.
- Disciplinary, criminal, or moral-character explanation documents when applicable.
How to Apply for Michigan Nursing License by Endorsement
Open the Michigan nursing licensing guide
Start with the official Michigan Nursing Licensing Guide and FAQs. Confirm whether you are applying as an RN by endorsement or LPN by endorsement.
Create or sign into MiPLUS
Go to MiPLUS, choose the nursing profession, complete every application field, upload supporting documents, and submit payment.
Watch for the background check letter
After the online application is submitted, Michigan emails an application confirmation letter with criminal background check instructions. Follow the state instructions exactly so your fingerprints connect to the correct application.
Order license verification
Use Nursys Verification for Endorsement when your licensing state participates. For non-Nursys jurisdictions, request direct verification from the licensing agency to Michigan.
Send transcripts or credential evaluations
Michigan requires official transcripts for endorsement applicants. The state guide says endorsement applicants only need the transcript for the highest nursing degree, such as a BSN transcript if you first earned an ADN and later earned a BSN.
Track the application in MiPLUS
Return to MiPLUS to check status, respond to deficiency notices, and confirm issuance. Once issued, verify your license through the official Michigan license verification tool before practicing.
Fees, Renewal, and Timing
| Item | 2026 amount or note |
|---|---|
| RN by examination or endorsement | $212.90 application fee plus 2-year license fee, paid in MiPLUS. |
| LPN by examination or endorsement | $212.90 application fee plus 2-year license fee, paid in MiPLUS. |
| RN or LPN renewal | $131.00 for the 2-year renewal cycle. |
| Nursys verification | Michigan’s FAQ lists $30 per license type for Nursys verification when sending a Michigan license to another board; endorsement verification fees can vary by sending jurisdiction. |
| Michigan certification processing | $15 per address for official Michigan license certification requests submitted through MiPLUS. |
| Processing time | Michigan processes applications in received-date order. Delays usually come from missing verification, transcripts, background check completion, or name/document mismatches. |
License Verification and Transcripts
Michigan requires verification of licensure to be sent directly to the Bureau of Professional Licensing by each licensing agency where you hold or have ever held a license. Michigan accepts verification through Nursys for participating jurisdictions. Verifications and transcripts may also be sent to bpldata@michigan.gov or mailed to the Bureau of Professional Licensing address listed below when the state’s instructions allow it.
| Record | Where it should come from | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| License verification | Nursys or the licensing agency | Request every current and past nursing license, not only your active license. |
| Official transcript | Nursing school or approved credentialing service | For endorsement, Michigan says the highest nursing degree transcript is enough. |
| Foreign education evaluation | TruMerit/CGFNS, NACES member, or JS&A as applicable | Check the RN and LPN rules separately because acceptable evaluation routes differ. |
| Background check | Completed after Michigan sends instructions | Wait for the application confirmation letter so your prints match the application. |
Michigan and the Nurse Licensure Compact
Michigan endorsement is still the practical route for a nurse who needs a Michigan RN or LPN license. Before relying on a multistate license privilege, check the official Nurse Licensure Compact participating jurisdictions map. If Michigan is not listed as an active NLC jurisdiction at the time you apply or work, you need a Michigan license to practice nursing in Michigan.
Official Contact Information
| Licensing agency | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing, Michigan Board of Nursing |
|---|---|
| Application questions | BPLHelp@michigan.gov |
| Documents when instructed by BPL | BPLData@michigan.gov |
| Phone | 517-241-0199 |
| U.S. postal mailing address | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909 |
| Overnight carrier address | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Mail Services, Attn: Bureau of Professional Licensing, 2407 N. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, MI 48906 |
The map is for the overnight carrier address. Most endorsement applicants should use MiPLUS and official email/mail instructions rather than attempting in-person service.
Official Sources
Related Nursing License Guides
Compare Michigan’s process with nearby or popular endorsement routes: Illinois nursing license by endorsement, Florida nursing license by endorsement, California nursing license by endorsement, and Alaska nursing license by endorsement.
FAQs About Michigan Nursing License by Endorsement
How do I apply for a Michigan nursing license by endorsement?
Apply online through MiPLUS, select the RN or LPN endorsement application, pay the fee, complete the background check instructions sent after submission, and arrange official license verification and transcripts.
What is the 2026 Michigan nursing endorsement fee?
Michigan’s nursing licensing guide lists $212.90 for RN by endorsement and $212.90 for LPN by endorsement, which includes the application fee plus the 2-year license fee.
Does Michigan require fingerprints for endorsement?
Yes. Michigan states that after the online application is submitted, applicants receive an application confirmation letter with instructions to complete the criminal background check.
Can I work while my Michigan endorsement application is pending?
No. A pending application is not a Michigan license. Wait until the Michigan RN or LPN license is issued and verifiable before practicing in Michigan.
Does Michigan use Nursys for endorsement verification?
Michigan accepts Nursys verification for participating jurisdictions. If a state or country does not use Nursys, request verification directly from that licensing agency to Michigan.
Do endorsement applicants need transcripts?
Yes. Michigan requires official transcripts for endorsement applicants. The state FAQ says endorsement applicants only need the transcript for the highest nursing degree.
What training is required before Michigan licensure?
Michigan requires human trafficking training and 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years immediately preceding license issuance.
Is Michigan a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Check the official Nurse Licensure Compact map before relying on compact privilege. If Michigan is not listed as an active compact jurisdiction, you need a Michigan license to practice in Michigan.
How long is a Michigan RN or LPN license valid?
Michigan states that the initial RN or LPN license is valid for 2 years, and later renewals are also valid for 2 years.
Who should I contact about a Michigan nursing endorsement application?
For licensing questions, contact the Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing at BPLHelp@michigan.gov or 517-241-0199.