The state laws determine whether or not a Minnesota nursing license is required.
- Every person who practices advanced practice nursing in Minnesota must hold a Minnesota advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license, every person who practices professional nursing in Minnesota must hold a registered nurse (RN) license or temporary permit and every person who practices practical nursing must hold a licensed practical nurse (LPN) license or temporary permit.
- Only licensed nurses (RNs and LPNs) may use any abbreviation or other designation such as nurse which implies licensure.
- The description of what constitutes violations of the nurse practice act is found in Minnesota Statutes Section 148.281 subdivision 1.
What is the penalty for practicing nursing without a current, valid Minnesota license or temporary permit?
Except for the exemptions described above, Minnesota law classifies violation of the mandatory nurse licensure laws as a gross misdemeanorwhich shall be punished according to legal requirements by the criminal justice system.
If you have a question about advanced practice, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse license requirements, contact nursing.board@state.mn.us.
Are there exceptions to the mandatory nurse licensure laws?
Yes, the Nurse Practice Act includes nine exemptions. Board rules contain further elaboration in Minnesota Rules Part 6305.0300.
A Minnesota nursing license is not needed when a person is
- furnishing nursing assistance in an emergency.
- practicing nursing in a United States government bureau, division or agency as long as the nurse holds a current, valid license in another state.
- holding a license and practicing another occupation or profession, and performing acts properly coming within the scope of the occupation, profession or license.
- performing nursing or nursing-related services as a nursing assistant, has been delegated the specific function and is supervised by a registered nurse or monitored by a licensed practical nurse.
- caring for the sick in a nursing home which purpose is to provide care and treatment by spiritual means in lieu of medical care. See MN Statutes Section 144A.09, subdivision 1.
- practicing nursing in Minnesota as part of a course while enrolled in a formal, structured course of study if the nurse is currently licensed in another state.
- practicing nursing as part of a course to prepare the student for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse, a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
- Licensed in another state, jurisdiction or territory and in Minnesota temporarily, providing continuing education, serving as a guest lecturer, presenting at a conference or teaching the theory or practice of nursing in a didactic course via distance education.
