Michigan Continuing Education (CE) and Licensure Information: Answers To Your Frequently Asked Questions

The following is an adapted list of questions and answers regarding Michigan licensing for nurses, adapted from the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Nursing FAQs (Revision Date 6/2021)

How do I renew or apply for a Michigan nursing license? 

• All nursing license applications and renewals in Michigan are completed and paid for online.
• For first-time nursing licenses,  click here to create a new online application.
• For nursing license renewals, you will use the Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS) website and portal.

Is there a continuing education requirement for relicensure in Michigan?

Yes. The Michigan Public Health Code and board administrative rules requires every nurse to complete, during the 2-year period prior to the renewal of the license, at least 25 hours of continuing education.

How many continuing education (CE) hours are required?

• Michigan nurses are required to earn 25 hours of continuing education within the 2-year period preceding the date of renewal.
• At least 2 of these hours must be in pain and pain symptom management.
• A one-time human trafficking continuing education module is required. Find out more about the Michigan human trafficking educational requirement here.
• Starting in 2022, all Michigan health professionals are required to complete implicit bias training in order to renew and maintain their license. 

What is the Implicit Bias CE requirement for healthcare workers in Michigan? 

The implicit bias training must be related to reducing barriers and disparities in access to and delivery of health care services and meet all of the following requirements:

   (a) Training content must include, but is not limited to, 1 or more of the following topics:

    (i) Information on implicit bias, equitable access to health care, serving a  

         diverse population, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and cultural

         sensitivity. 

    (ii) Strategies to remedy the negative impact of implicit bias by recognizing

         and understanding how it impacts perception, judgment, and actions that

         may result in inequitable decision making, failure to effectively

         communicate, and result in barriers and disparities in the access to and

         delivery of health care services. 

    (iii) The historical basis and present consequences of implicit biases based

         on an individual’s characteristics.       

    (iv) Discussion of current research on implicit bias in the access to and

         delivery of health care services.

   (b) Training must include strategies to reduce disparities in access to and

         delivery of health care services and the administration of pre- and post-

         test implicit bias assessments.

   (d) Acceptable modalities of training include any of the following:

    (i) A teleconference or webinar that allows live synchronous interaction that provides for the opportunity for participants to interact with the instructor and other participants.

    (ii) A live presentation that provides for the opportunity for participants to interact with the instructor and other participants.

    (iii) An asynchronous teleconference or webinar.

What is the Pain CE requirement for nursing license renewal in MIchigan?

Michigan nurses must complete at least 2 hours of continuing education in pain and pain symptom management, within the 2 years immediately preceding the expiration date of their license.

How do I know if a CE course is approved for my Michigan nursing license CE requirements?

All offerings by the Michigan State University College of Nursing qualify for your continuing education requirements!  We are accredited as a provider with distinction of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 

The Michigan Board of Nursing will accept any continuing education program or activity if it is approved or offered for CE credit by any of the following organizations:

• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
• Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
• American College of Nursing Midwives (ACNM)
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
• National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service, Inc (NAPNES)
• National League for Nursing (NLN)
• Another state or provincial board of nursing
• A continuing nursing education program offered by a nursing education program that is approved by the Board under Administrative Rule R 338.10303a

Can I earn continuing education (CE) credit for taking college classes?

A licensee may earn 5 hours of continuing education for each semester credit hour earned for the completion of academic courses related to nursing practice offered in a nursing education program approved by the board. (Three hours of continuing education may be earned for each quarter credit hour earned.)

If audited, a licensee shall submit an official transcript that reflects completion of the academic course and number of semester or quarter credit hours earned.

Can I earn continuing education (CE) credit for speciality certifications? 

• A licensee may earn 25 hours of continuing education for obtaining specialty certification or maintaining certification as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, or nurse practitioner. If audited, a licensee shall submit proof of certification or recertification.
• A licensee may earn 10 hours of continuing education for successful completion of a national nursing specialty examination in the year which the licensee achieves a passing score.
• A maximum of 20 hours may be earned in the renewal period. Credit will not be given for repeating the same examination in a renewal period.

Can I earn continuing education (CE) credit for publishing an article or presenting at a conference? 

A licensee may earn 10 hours of continuing education for initial publication of a chapter or an article related to the practice of nursing or allied health in either of the following: A nursing or health care textbook; a peer- reviewed textbook; a nursing or health care peer-reviewed journal.

• A maximum of 10 hours may be earned in each renewal period.
• A licensee may earn 3 hours of continuing education for each 60 minutes of presentation of an academic or continuing education program that is not a part of the applicant’s regular job description. A maximum of 6 hours may be earned in each renewal period.

Can I earn continuing education (CE) credit for being a nursing preceptor? 

A licensee may earn continuing education for participation as a preceptor for at least 1 nursing student or new employee undergoing orientation. A preceptorship shall be for a minimum of 120 hours and have a 1 student/employee to 1 preceptor ratio. This may involve more than 1 student or employee. 120 hours equals 1 contact hour. A maximum of 5 hours may be earned in each renewal period.

I am a Canadian nurse who wants to work in Michigan.... do I have to take the NCLEX?

If you are a Canadian nurse who did not become licensed via passing the NCLEX, then you may apply for a temporary license until you have taken the NCLEX. A temporary license is good for up to one year, allowing enough time to take the NCLEX one time and have your results submitted to this office as part of your application. Click here to register with the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

I am a graduate of a foreign nursing school. How do I become a licensed nurse in Michigan?

• Click here to register with the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
• Check if CGFNS certifies your foreign degree here.
• Apply for and pass the CGFNS Qualifying Exam.

More questions? 

Contact Michigan's Department of Licensing And Regulatory Affairs (LARA) for further detail or questions regarding continuing education requirements as specified by Michigan's Public Health Code. 

Where can I find a copy of the Michigan Administrative Rules that pertain to nursing?

Find the Michigan Board of Nursing’s current Administrative Rules on the Bureau of Professional Licensing’s website at www.michigan.gov/bplrules.