If you have been licensed by examination in the U.S. as an RN or LPN and wish to practice nursing in Minnesota, you must obtain a Minnesota license through the process of licensure by endorsement. On the Licensure by Endorsement Application, you may request a temporary permit to practice in Minnesota while your application is under review. If you meet the requirements for a temporary permit, the Board will issue a permit which is valid until the Board grants you a license or for 60 days, whichever comes first. The permit cannot be extended or renewed.
Don’t delay submitting requirements; delays may result in the expiration of your permit or the loss of authorization to practice in Minnesota while your application is processed.
a. Licensure by Endorsement Application form. Apply online or print the application from the Board’s website. If applying by paper, complete the paper application form, sign, and submit the application with the fee to the Board by mail. You must submit either a Registered Nurse Licensure by Endorsement Application form or a Practical Nurse Licensure by Endorsement Application form.
b. Verification of Licensure form. You must submit verification from the state, territory or province in which you were first licensed. You must also submit verification from the state, territory or province that issued the license you are currently using to practice nursing if that is different than your state of initial licensure. (i.e., You will need two forms of verification requests if the state where you were first licensed is different than the state where you have most recently practiced. If the state where you were first licensed is the same as the state where you have most recently practiced, you will need only one verification request or form.) Most states process their verification of licensure requests through Nursys. You can check for information regarding participating states and complete the verification request(s) online at www.Nursys.com. If a state processes their verification requests by paper, print the Verification of Licensure form from the Board’s website and submit it to that state.
c. Confirmation of Nursing Employment form. If you have ever worked as a nurse, you must have your most recent employer complete and submit a Confirmation of Nursing Employment form. Print the form from the Board’s website and submit to your current nursing employer. If you are not currently employed, submit the form to your most recent nursing employer. Upon completion, you must return the form to the Board.
d. Criminal Background Check. When you submit your application for endorsement, the Criminal Background check office will send you a fingerprint packet by email. Follow the instructions from the Criminal Background check office that you receive with the packet. Criminal Background Check contact: email Criminal.Background.Check@state.mn.us or call 651-201-2822 if you have questions.
e. Continuing Education form. You may need to report continuing education or successfully complete a refresher course depending on how long it has been since you last practiced nursing. The Board will contact you if you are required to report continuing education when your Confirmation of Nursing Employment form has been processed.
4. Confirmation of Application Submission. You are responsible for submitting all necessary forms and fees to complete your application. The Board encourages you to confirm successful submission of your application forms and to check the status
of processing your application by visiting your online services account.