Michigan nursing license by endorsement
How a nurse licensed in another state gets a Michigan license by endorsement: the steps, background check, temporary license, renewal and continuing education, with the board's own sources.
| At a glance | Michigan |
|---|---|
| Licensing board | Michigan Board of Nursing |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Not in the compact |
| Fingerprint background check | Required. Fingerprints submitted for state police and FBI criminal background check (R 338.10206, R 338.10211). |
| RN renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
| Continuing education per renewal | 25 contact hours. 25 hours in the 2 years before renewal, including at least 2 hours in pain and pain symptom management. |
How to get your Michigan license, step by step
- Plan for endorsement. Michigan is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact as of October 15, 2026. A nurse licensed elsewhere applies to the Michigan Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement before working here, even with a multistate license.
- Start the application on the board's site. Use the board's licensure by endorsement page.
- Send license verification. Ask each state where you are or were licensed to verify your license to the board. Follow the board's instructions for how it wants to receive it.
- Complete the fingerprint background check. The board requires fingerprints for endorsement applicants. Follow its instructions for where to get them taken.
- Pay the fee and send documents. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be separate. Keep copies of everything you submit.
- Tell your recruiter your status. Employers set their own start dates around licensing, so your recruiter needs to know where your application stands.
Specific to Michigan
- Implicit bias training required: 2 hours within 5 years before first licensure, then 1 hour per year of license cycle at renewal.
- Training in identifying victims of human trafficking required for licensees and applicants (R 338.10105).
- RN endorsement requires initial licensure by NCLEX-RN and either 5+ years licensed elsewhere or an approved program.
What RNs earn in Michigan
The BLS median for registered nurses in Michigan is $41.19 per hour, about $85,670 a year. See the full RN salary guide for Michigan.
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year |
|---|---|---|
| Niles, MI | $47.25 | $98,280 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $46.04 | $95,750 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $45.22 | $94,050 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $42.78 | $88,980 |
| Flint, MI | $42.18 | $87,720 |
| Bay City, MI | $42.15 | $87,670 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
RN jobs in Michigan · Michigan state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide · Endorsement checklist
Sources
These facts come from the Michigan Board of Nursing web pages below. Checked 2026-10-16.
- ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us/AdminCode/DownloadAdminCodeFile (endorsement application, board website)
- ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us/AdminCode/DownloadAdminCodeFile (state notes)
Requirements change. Always confirm with the Michigan Board of Nursing before you apply or accept a start date. This guide is general information and not legal advice.
Common questions
Is Michigan a nurse licensure compact state?
Michigan is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact as of October 15, 2026. A license by endorsement is the route for nurses licensed elsewhere.
How much continuing education do Michigan nurses need?
RN renewal requires 25 contact hours of continuing education. 25 hours in the 2 years before renewal, including at least 2 hours in pain and pain symptom management. Licenses renew every 2 years.
How long does it take to get a Michigan license?
The Michigan Board of Nursing does not publish a fixed time. It depends on how fast your verification and background check arrive, so apply before you accept a start date.
Does Valorem Health help with Michigan licensing?
Your recruiter tells you which license each role needs and what the facility requires. You apply to the board, and our credentialing team helps with documents for onboarding.
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Your RN pay reportMichigan · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026
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27 RN postings with published pay in Michigan, 23 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
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