Getting a Minnesota nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

Endorsement timeline, fees & requirements · Verified 2026-06-18

Not published.

Minnesota endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Minnesota requires any RN licensed by exam in the US or Canada who wants to practice in Minnesota to obtain a Minnesota license by endorsement.
Processing time: Not published.
Work while waiting: Yes. The board may issue a temporary permit to endorsement applicants who request it and qualify. It is valid until the board grants a license or for 60 days, whichever comes first, and cannot be extended or renewed.
Requirements: Verify your initial and current licenses, mostly through Nursys. Fingerprinting plus an independent Minnesota background check. A confirmation-of-employment form, possible CE reporting or a refresher depending on time since last practice, and a Social Security number. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $137 total ($105 application fee, $32 background-check fee). Non-refundable; no personal checks.
Compact rules: Minnesota is not a compact state, so a multistate license from another state does not authorize Minnesota practice. You must endorse to get a Minnesota license.

Minnesota's HTML pages are bot-walled; figures here are from the board's own 1/2026 endorsement instructions PDF.

Source: Minnesota Board of Nursing, RN/LPN licensure by endorsement instructions, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Minnesota

1Confirm you need a Minnesota license: Minnesota is not a compact state, so an out-of-state license will not cover you.
2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).
3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.
4Submit the Minnesota Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.
5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Start at the source: Minnesota Board of Nursing or the online licensing portal. Not sure if you even need to endorse? The compact eligibility quiz sorts compact privilege from a required license in two minutes.

Minnesota endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Minnesota nursing license by endorsement?: Not published.
Can I work in Minnesota while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. The board may issue a temporary permit to endorsement applicants who request it and qualify. It is valid until the board grants a license or for 60 days, whichever comes first, and cannot be extended or renewed.
Do I need a Minnesota license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Minnesota is not a compact state, so a multistate license from another state does not authorize Minnesota practice. You must endorse to get a Minnesota license.
How much does Minnesota endorsement cost?: $137 total ($105 application fee, $32 background-check fee). Non-refundable; no personal checks.

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Minnesota endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Minnesota requires any RN licensed by exam in the US or Canada who wants to practice in Minnesota to obtain a Minnesota license by endorsement.
Processing time: Not published.
Work while waiting: Yes. The board may issue a temporary permit to endorsement applicants who request it and qualify. It is valid until the board grants a license or for 60 days, whichever comes first, and cannot be extended or renewed.
Requirements: Verify your initial and current licenses, mostly through Nursys. Fingerprinting plus an independent Minnesota background check. A confirmation-of-employment form, possible CE reporting or a refresher depending on time since last practice, and a Social Security number. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $137 total ($105 application fee, $32 background-check fee). Non-refundable; no personal checks.
Compact rules: Minnesota is not a compact state, so a multistate license from another state does not authorize Minnesota practice. You must endorse to get a Minnesota license.

Minnesota's HTML pages are bot-walled; figures here are from the board's own 1/2026 endorsement instructions PDF.

Source: Minnesota Board of Nursing, RN/LPN licensure by endorsement instructions, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Minnesota

1Confirm you need a Minnesota license: Minnesota is not a compact state, so an out-of-state license will not cover you.

2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).

3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.

4Submit the Minnesota Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.

5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Minnesota endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Minnesota nursing license by endorsement?

Not published.

Can I work in Minnesota while my endorsement application is processing?

Yes. The board may issue a temporary permit to endorsement applicants who request it and qualify. It is valid until the board grants a license or for 60 days, whichever comes first, and cannot be extended or renewed.

Do I need a Minnesota license if I already hold a compact multistate license?

Minnesota is not a compact state, so a multistate license from another state does not authorize Minnesota practice. You must endorse to get a Minnesota license.

How much does Minnesota endorsement cost?

$137 total ($105 application fee, $32 background-check fee). Non-refundable; no personal checks.