State of Minnesota
Minnesota.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
24
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
0
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Minnesota requires registered nurses to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
Nursing in Minnesota.
Minnesota has approximately 105,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 5.7 million. Minneapolis-St. Paul is home to major health systems including Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, Fairview Health, and HealthPartners. The Twin Cities area is a national leader in healthcare innovation, while rural Minnesota faces persistent nursing shortages.
Minnesota requires 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. The state mandates training in suicide assessment and intervention. Minnesota accepts CE from providers approved by the Board of Nursing and national accrediting bodies.
Common practice settings
Mayo Clinic
World-renowned for specialty care, Mayo Clinic in Rochester offers nurses access to cutting-edge practice and research.
Twin Cities Health Systems
Multiple large health systems compete for nursing talent in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
Rural Critical Access
Rural Minnesota communities rely on critical access hospitals facing ongoing recruitment challenges.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 24 contact hours, including mandatory suicide assessment training.
02
Use Board-approved or nationally accredited providers.
03
Keep CE certificates for at least 5 years.
04
Consider rural health education if practicing outside the metro area.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Minnesota
Minnesota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses in border areas near Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for RN renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- All hours must relate to nursing practice.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
12
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for LPN renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- LPN requires 12 contact hours per 24-month period (1 hour per 2 months).
- All hours must relate to nursing practice.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for APRN renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for NP renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for CNS renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for CNM renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for CRNA renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
Additional requirements
In context. Minnesota requires 24 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Wisconsin has no general CE requirement, while Iowa requires more (36 hours). Minnesota is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses need a separate license to practice here.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Minnesota Board of Nursing.
(612) 317-3000
1210 Northland Drive, Suite 120, Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Verify before relying on this