How many CE hours do nurses need in Minnesota?

Registered Nurses (RN) in Minnesota need 24 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.

What are the mandatory CE topics in Minnesota?

Minnesota does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Minnesota?

Nursing licenses in Minnesota must be renewed every 2 years. The Minnesota Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.

What is the RN renewal fee in Minnesota?

The RN renewal fee in Minnesota is $85. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Minnesota Board of Nursing portal before submitting.

When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Minnesota?

Minnesota nursing licenses are due last day of birth month, every 2 years (odd/even based on birth year).

Is Minnesota part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

No. Minnesota is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses must hold a Minnesota-issued license to practice there.

Does Minnesota require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?

No. Minnesota does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.

What license types does Minnesota regulate?

Minnesota regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN.

How many CE hours do LPNs need in Minnesota?

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Minnesota need 12 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $85.

What does APRN renewal require in Minnesota?

APRNs in Minnesota complete 24 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $85 (+ $85 RN renewal = $170 total). Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

What happens if you miss the license renewal deadline in Minnesota?

No formal grace period; expired licenses require reregistration with a late fee. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited. If your license has lapsed, do not practice until your renewal is processed; confirm your status with the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

Field guide · License renewal

Minnesota RN License Renewal Requirements

Name: Minnesota Nursing License Renewal
Creator: RenewRN

Verified 2026-06-04

Minnesota Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle

Verified against the Minnesota Board of Nursing · Last reviewed June 4, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

As of 2026, Minnesota RNs must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew. The RN renewal fee is $85.

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Quick Facts

Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Renewal deadline	Last day of birth month, every 2 years (odd/even based on birth year)
Total CE hours (RN)	24 contact hours
Renewal fee (RN)	$85
Compact state (NLC)	No · what if I move to a compact state?
License types	RN, APRN, LPN
Typical pay	See Minnesota nurse salaries

Minnesota requires Registered Nurses to complete 24 contact hours and Licensed Practical Nurses to complete 12 contact hours of continuing education every 2-year renewal cycle. There are no specific mandatory topics for RN/LPN. Nurses have flexibility to choose CE relevant to their practice. APRNs with controlled substance authority must include 2 hours on opioid prescribing. Minnesota is not currently an NLC compact state, so nurses need a Minnesota-specific license to practice in the state.

Verified against the Minnesota Board of Nursing, last checked 2026-06-04. Found something off? Let me know.

Minnesota CE Audit Response Guide

Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.

Read the full Minnesota RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your Minnesota Nursing License

1Log in to the Minnesota Board of Nursing online portal at mbn.hlb.state.mn.us
2Select Renew License
3Verify and update your mailing and email address
4Attest to completing CE requirements (24 hours for RN, 12 hours for LPN)
5Answer all disclosure and legal questions
6Pay the renewal fee ($85 for RN/LPN) online
7Keep CE documentation for 2 years post-renewal in case of audit

Visit the Minnesota Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

Turn these steps into a checklist you can track.

RenewRN Pro turns Minnesota's renewal steps into an interactive checklist you check off one by one, with your progress saved so nothing gets missed at the deadline.

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How to Submit Your CE in Minnesota

You attest to your CE when you renew and keep your certificates; you only submit documents if the board audits you.

A Minnesota RN participates in 24 contact hours of CE per 24-month participation period and ATTESTS at renewal; no certificates are submitted at renewal. Board CE page: “During a typical continuing education participation period (24 months) an RN must participate in 24 contact hours of continuing education.” The nurse keeps documentation two years and submits it only if audited: “A licensee must keep continuing education documents for two years after using the continuing education for renewal. The Board of Nursing randomly selects licensees for an audit of continuing education records. If audited, a licensee must submit proof of having met the continuing education requirements.” At renewal the nurse attests the requirement is met as of the moment of attestation.

Where it happens: Minnesota Board of Nursing online license renewal

mn.gov/boards/nursing/licensure/renewal

If Minnesota audits your CE

The Board randomly selects licensees for a CE-records audit; selected nurses submit proof of meeting the requirement. Records retained two years after use; failure to respond may be grounds for disciplinary action.

Verified 2026-07-03 against mn.gov. Always confirm with the board before relying on it.

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CE Hours by License Type

Minnesota ranks #29 of 51 for RN renewal burden, in the middle in the country.See the CE Burden Index

Type	CE hours	Renewal fee
RN	24 / 2 yrs	$85
APRN	24 / 2 yrs	$85 (+ $85 RN renewal = $170 total)
LPN	12 / 2 yrs	$85

CE deadline calculator Check if a course counts Compare all states

APRN renewal in Minnesota. The board is only one clock: your national certification and any DEA registration renew on their own cycles. Full Minnesota APRN renewal guide

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	Types	Description
General CE (RN)	24	Required	RN	24 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle for Registered Nurses
General CE (LPN)	12	Required	LPN	12 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle for Licensed Practical Nurses
APRN CE / National Certification	24	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	24 CE hours same as RN, or current national certification satisfies the CE requirement
APRN Opioid Prescribing	2	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	2 hours on best practices in prescribing opioids and controlled substances for APRNs with controlled substance prescriptive authority (included in total)
Nursing Practice	0	Optional	RNLPN	No specific mandatory topics for RN/LPN. Nurses choose CE relevant to their practice

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): Minnesota CNA renewal is handled by the state nurse-aide registry, not the Board of Nursing, and follows a work-hours / in-service model rather than the CE above. Check your state nurse-aide registry for CNA requirements.

Find free Minnesota CE. Verified, accredited and state-approved courses. No upsells. Browse free Minnesota nursing CE courses

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: Last day of birth month, every 2 years (odd/even based on birth year)
Grace Period: No formal grace period; expired licenses require reregistration with a late fee. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 2 years in case of audit by the Minnesota Board of Nursing

Missed your Minnesota renewal deadline?

No formal grace period; expired licenses require reregistration with a late fee. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited.

What to do if your Minnesota license lapsed

Important Notes

• RNs need 24 CE hours and LPNs need 12 CE hours per 2-year cycle
• No specific mandatory topics for RN/LPN. Nurses choose CE relevant to their practice
• APRNs with national certification on file may use that to satisfy CE requirements
• APRNs with controlled substance authority must complete 2 hours on opioid prescribing
• Minnesota is NOT an NLC compact state. Nurses need a Minnesota-specific license
• CE records must be retained for 2 years after renewal for potential audit
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCMinnesota Board of Nursing

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $105
LPN: $105

Already lapsed? The Minnesota re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.

Getting your first Minnesota RN license

Background check: Fingerprint-based criminal background check required. Applicants must submit fingerprints (a fingerprint packet is emailed by the Board's Criminal Background Check program office) as part of the mandatory criminal background check, which carries a separate $32 fee from the $105 application fee.
Application fee: $105 (initial license by examination)

Applies to new RN licensure by examination. Verified against the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

Full guide: how to get your first Minnesota RN license

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees have a prorated CE requirement for the first renewal

CE Audit Information

The Minnesota Board of Nursing randomly selects licensees for CE audit.

Frequently asked questions about Minnesota nursing renewal

How many CE hours do nurses need in Minnesota?: Registered Nurses (RN) in Minnesota need 24 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.
What are the mandatory CE topics in Minnesota?: Minnesota does not have specific mandatory CE topic requirements beyond the total hour requirement.
What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Minnesota?: Nursing licenses in Minnesota must be renewed every 2 years. The Minnesota Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.
What is the RN renewal fee in Minnesota?: The RN renewal fee in Minnesota is $85. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Minnesota Board of Nursing portal before submitting.
When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Minnesota?: Minnesota nursing licenses are due last day of birth month, every 2 years (odd/even based on birth year).
Is Minnesota part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?: No. Minnesota is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses must hold a Minnesota-issued license to practice there.
Does Minnesota require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?: No. Minnesota does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.
What license types does Minnesota regulate?: Minnesota regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN.
How many CE hours do LPNs need in Minnesota?: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Minnesota need 12 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $85.
What does APRN renewal require in Minnesota?: APRNs in Minnesota complete 24 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $85 (+ $85 RN renewal = $170 total). Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.
What happens if you miss the license renewal deadline in Minnesota?: No formal grace period; expired licenses require reregistration with a late fee. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited. If your license has lapsed, do not practice until your renewal is processed; confirm your status with the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

Sources & Board Resources

Minnesota Board of Nursing

https://mn.gov/boards/nursing/

Sources

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Type

CE hours

Renewal fee

24 / 2 yrs

$85

APRN

24 / 2 yrs

$85 (+ $85 RN renewal = $170 total)

LPN

12 / 2 yrs

$85

Minnesota RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your Minnesota Nursing License

How to Submit Your CE in Minnesota

If Minnesota audits your CE

Get the Minnesota RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Getting your first Minnesota RN license

Frequently asked questions about Minnesota nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other state renewal guides

Don't miss your Minnesota renewal

More for Minnesota nurses

Minnesota RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your Minnesota Nursing License

How to Submit Your CE in Minnesota

If Minnesota audits your CE

Get the Minnesota RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Getting your first Minnesota RN license

Frequently asked questions about Minnesota nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other state renewal guides

Don't miss your Minnesota renewal

More for Minnesota nurses