If your passion for helping others continues to drive your ambition to do more within the healthcare community, becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) is a fulfilling career. NPs undergo intense training as medical professionals and must earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing. They are equipped to provide primary care and serve in specialties like pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, and more.
Michigan allows NPs to practice under the supervision of a physician. That means they don’t have as much autonomy as NPs in other states that abide by the Full Practice Authority Act.
However, that doesn’t make NPs any less valuable. They still provide patients with counseling and education services, health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment for common and chronic illnesses.
The road to becoming a nurse practitioner may sometimes seem overwhelming with all the classes and fieldwork, but it’s worth it in the end. Many communities lack the proper medical resources to meet their healthcare needs, and unfortunately Michigan has a few as you can see here. Nurse practitioners are key players in providing underserved communities with healthcare.
Follow below to learn how to become a nurse practitioner (NP) in Michigan.
Already have your RN License? Skip to the next section
All advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are fundamentally nurses, so they must hold a valid RN license to practice in Michigan before their NP application can be processed. There are two main routes applicants can take for licensure: RN by Examination and RN by Endorsement.
If you don’t hold an RN license in another state or territory, RN by examination is the route for you. First, you’ll have to complete a program approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing. The minimum academic qualification for a prospective RN is a bachelor’s degree.
Besides completing the program, you must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam. You can register for the test using the Pearson Vue website or contact Pearson Vue Candidate Services by phone to schedule and pay the $200 exam fee.
Practice exams are available on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website, so you can prepare for the big day.
After passing the exam, you can apply for licensure online. The Board no longer accepts paper applications in an effort to reduce paper waste. Should you have any issues completing the application, call (517) 241-0199, and someone will guide you through the process step-by-step. You can also email BPLHelp@michigan.gov with any questions.
Include the application fee of $208.80 to receive a license valid for two years from the issuing date. All applicants also include the following:
All additional information for verification can be emailed to bpldata@michigan.gov or mailed to the Bureau of Professional Licensing:
Bureau of Professional Licensing
PO Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909
If you don’t pass the exam, you’ll be notified by the NCSBN and can retake the test after a 45-day waiting period. You have three years from the date of graduation to pass the exam.
The application path for RNs licensed to practice in another state is by endorsement. These applicants are required to complete a Board-approved program or an equivalent and passed the NCLEX-RN examination in addition to fulfilling all other requirements for RN by examination in that state.
The following is a list of requirements for an RN license by endorsement:
Upon receipt of your application, you will receive a confirmation message, including instructions to complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check (CBC). That is routine practice for initial licensure. No license will be issued without a CBC report and a valid social security number or the appropriate SSN-exempt documents.
Beginning from January 6th, 2022, no license will be issued without the completion of a course on the identification of victims of human trafficking. All applicants are also required to be of good standing, which is why you must provide honest answers to questions on character and supporting documents for any sanction, punishments, or past convictions.
Nurse Practitioners are expected to have advanced nursing education (master’s or higher) via a program that trains them to serve a particular population focus.
Your chosen program should be accredited by agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE), such as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Ideally, your program should include coursework and clinical components. The coursework must cover advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, and primary care management. The clinical component must include a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical experience.
Certification is the process of verifying the quality of your advanced practice education. Hence, if you possess national certification in a given specialty area of practice as an NP, you can be considered for an APRN license. National certifying agencies oversee this licensure, and the process is usually examination-based. Therefore, prospective NPs must pass these exams to be certified.
There are different certifying bodies for each specialty area and population concentration, so you should contact the agency that certifies professionals in your preferred area for their requirements and certification procedure. Some of the approved national certifying agencies for NPs in Michigan are:
The certifying agency you choose will be based on your role and target population. Some agencies offer multiple certifications, so select the one right for your specialty. Some of the approved ANCC certifications for NPs are:
Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) receives applications from prospective NPs all year long. The application process is completed online for $40.55 or $55.45. The rate is dependent on your RN license expiration date, and instructions are included on the application.
Temporary permits for practice are not issued for NPs in Michigan. All eligibility requirements must be met for licensure.
Each applicant must provide proof of completing an advanced practice program that awards at least a master’s degree. You must request that an official copy of your transcript be sent from the program directly to the Board in a sealed envelope.
Prospective NPs are expected to hold a valid and unencumbered RN license to practice in Michigan. Proof of licensure is required and can be obtained using the Nursys platform. If your Board does not report to Nursys, you must contact them regarding the procedure for licensure verification.
If you were initially licensed as an RN in another state, you must also submit verification of that license. LARA requires proof of valid certification by an approved national certifying agency in a given specialty area or a population focus. You can request such proof be sent from your certifying agency to the Board. You will also be required to complete a CBC.
After about three weeks, you will receive a confirmation that your application was received and a customer number that allows you to monitor the form’s status online. Processing can take 6-8 weeks, but applicants are encouraged to contact the Board if they haven’t heard anything after three weeks.