Submit an application for licensure by examination and fees (cashier’s check or money order.) The application fee is $105.00 and the Criminal Background Check fee is $33.25. The fees are non-refundable. The application packet may be downloaded from the Minnesota Board of Nursing website or you can submit the application and fee online. https://mn.gov/boards/nursing/licensure/apply-for-a-license/apply-by-exam.jsp
Provide evidence you have not engaged in conduct warranting disciplinary action; if you answer yes to any questions in the Grounds for Denial section of the application, the Board will investigate prior to licensure.
Watch for the Criminal Background Check program office to send you a fingerprint packet by email. Follow the instructions and submit your fingerprints as soon as possible.
Submit a completed Confirmation of Program Completion from your nursing program. If you have completed a Minnesota nursing program, a school official can confirm completion on-line. Paper forms must be submitted to the Board directly from the Nursing Program.
Register with Pearson Vue to take the NCLEX® (National Council Licensure Examination) and pay the required fee.
Register by phone by calling NCLEX® Candidate Services at 1.866.496.2539
Send notification to the Board office as soon as possible if any change occurs in your name, address, or other application information after you submit the application. Submit legal proof of change in name, such as a copy of a marriage certificate or court order.
Watch for the test service to send your authorization to test (ATT) by e-mail. To gain access to the NCLEX, you will be required to present one form of acceptable identification. The first and last name on your identification must match exactly the name you provided when registering.
Schedule the examination at one of the testing centers after you receive an authorization to test (ATT) from the test service. The ATT is valid for 90 days. If you do not take the examination within one year of receipt of your application, your application with the Board, will be nullified. If you do not take the examination within 90 days of receipt of your ATT, your registration with Pearson Vue will no longer be valid.
Watch for your license. The Board will mail your license approximately 10 business days after you take the examination. If you do not pass the examination, you will receive an EXAMINATION RETAKE REQUEST packet and a diagnostic profile to help you understand your performance on the NCLEX® examination.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS WHO COMPLETED A NURSING PROGRAM MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AGO
Indicate your request for special testing accommodations for the NCLEX® by completing the Request for Special Accommodations section on the LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION APPLICATION.
Submit supporting documentation regarding your request for testing accommodations due to a disability. At a minimum the documentation must include:
a letter from an appropriate professional confirming the disability and providing information as to what accommodations are appropriate; and
a letter from the Disability Services department of your school indicating what modifications, if any, were granted by the program.
List the specific accommodations you are requesting. Examples of modifications include:
separate room
recorder
reader
signer
extra time (state specific amount of extra time you are requesting.)
Call NCLEX® Candidate Services at the telephone number listed in the ATT letter when you are approved for testing with special accommodations and have received your ATT.
Click on “Online Services” (located below the mission statement under “Licensees”)
All users must register to access the site and create a new online account. (Exception: if you have created a login after May 8, 2017, you have already registered to our new site.)
Click on “Register to Access Site” (located below the login area)
Enter “Applicant”
Click “Next” and follow the prompts to create a password
Click “Next” and follow the prompts to complete the New Account Detail
Click “Finish”
Enter the Username and Password you just created and click “Login”
A screen will appear with tabs on the right side indicating current open applications and your profile view
Click on the application you would like to review (if more than one is open)
Review the checklist of requirements on the bottom of this page to see which items are still open
Note: a button may appear on the bottom of the screen if you have options available to you – for example “Apply for Exam Retake”
Refer back to the main website at www.nursingboard.state.mn.us for instructions and forms for any items that are still open
Click on the Licensure Tab
Click on Apply for a License and choose your license type
Click on applicable packet under “Apply using downloadable forms” for forms and instructions
Contact the Criminal Background Check program office for any questions related to fingerprinting and your Criminal Background Checks. Criminal.Background.Check@state.mn.us or 1.651.201.2822
EXAMINATION RESULTS
Check your examination results:
On the Board of Nursing website. There is no fee for viewing the results on the web. The Board does not provide results over the phone.
By phone. Pearson Vue provides the phone number with your authorization to test (ATT). There is a fee for the phone results service.
EXAMINATION RETAKE REQUEST APPLICATION
Submit the EXAMINATION RETAKE REQUEST within eight months of the last failed examination. You must retake the examination within one year of the last failed examination or your application will be nullified and you will need to reapply.
If you have not registered to access the site, register and follow the prompts.
If you have registered with the site, log in and apply for licensure retake.
Watch for the test service to send your authorization to test (ATT) by e-mail. To gain access to the NCLEX, you will be required to present one form of acceptable identification. The first and last name on your identification must match exactly the name you provided when registering. The ATT is valid for 90 days.
