Michigan Nursing License Renewal: How Many CEUs Do You Need?

Quick answer: Michigan requires 28 hours of continuing education (CE) every 2-year renewal cycle for both RNs and LPNs. No more than 12 CEUs for Michigan nursing license may be earned in a 24-hour period. Requirements include mandatory topics such as Pain and Symptom Management and Implicit Bias Training, all of which can be completed online. 

License renewal season shouldn’t feel like detective work. Yet every cycle, many Michigan nurses find themselves piecing together requirements from multiple sources, unsure whether they’ve covered all the mandatory topics or logged enough hours. If you’re wondering how many CEUs for Michigan nursing license renewal you actually need, and how to get them done without the stress—this post has you covered. 

Below, you’ll find a clear breakdown of Michigan nursing CE requirements, mandatory topics, and how Elite Learning makes compliance straightforward and affordable. 

Michigan nursing license CE requirements at a glance 

Michigan nursing license renewal follows a 2-year cycle. Here’s what both RNs and LPNs need to know: 

  • Total CE hours required: 28 hours per renewal cycle 
  • Daily cap: No more than 12 credit hours earned in a 24-hour period 
  • Renewal cycle: Every 2 years 
  • Applies to: Both RNs and LPNs 

Meeting the total hour count isn’t enough on its own. Michigan also mandates specific training topics. Missing even one can put your renewal at risk. 

What Are the Mandatory CE Topics for Michigan Nurses? 

Michigan nursing CE requirements include several mandatory subject areas. Each one carries its own rules. 

Pain and Symptom Management 

Two contact hours of Pain and Symptom Management are required every 2-year renewal period. This applies to all renewing RNs and LPNs. 

Implicit Bias Training 

Michigan mandates implicit bias training for all license renewals (effective June 1, 2021). Renewing nurses must complete 1 hour per year of their license cycle, which means 2 hours for a standard 2-year renewal. Initial applicants must complete 2 hours within the 5 years immediately preceding licensure. 

Human Trafficking Training 

This is a one-time requirement that does not count toward your 28 CE hours. It must be completed prior to initial licensure (beginning January 6, 2022), or fulfilled starting with the March 31, 2018 renewal cycle. 

Controlled Substances Training 

Effective May 28, 2024, licensed prescribers or dispensers of controlled substances must complete training in opioids and controlled substance awareness every renewal period. 

DEA MATE Act Training (APNs only) 

DEA-registered practitioners starting or renewing registrations on or after June 27, 2023 must complete a one-time 8-hour training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. 

The good news? All of these requirements can be completed online, on your schedule, at your pace. 

How to choose the right Michigan nursing CE courses 

Tracking down state-approved courses that cover mandatory topics is one of the most common frustrations nurses face during renewal. Pre-packaged CE bundles designed for Michigan nurses eliminate the guesswork entirely. 

Elite Learning offers two Michigan-specific course packages: 

  • Michigan Nursing Professionals CE Package ($42.95): Designed for RN and LPN license renewal. Includes the mandatory 2 contact hours of Pain and Symptom Management. 
  • Michigan Nursing CE Requirements Package — 28 Hours ($58.95): A full 28-hour package that includes Implicit Bias Training, covering all state requirements in one place. 

Elite Learning’s parent company, Colibri Healthcare, LLC, is an ANCC-accredited provider whose courses are accepted by the Michigan Board of Nursing. 

Go further with Elite Nursing Passport Membership 

For nurses who want more than just renewal compliance, Elite Learning’s membership plans offer exceptional value year-round. 

Elite Nursing Passport Lite ($48/year): Includes your full state CE requirements package, 70+ ANCC-accredited courses across 25+ specialties, unlimited CE credit via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, and enhanced CE deadline tracking. 

Elite Nursing Passport ($99.99/year): Everything in Lite, plus 300+ courses, specialty certification exam prep (CCRN, CEN, MEDSURG-BC), a pharmacology library, a clinical skills video library, DEA MATE Act training, a nursing interview simulator, and a resume builder. 

Across both tiers, standout platform features include: 

  • Immediate certificates—no test required 
  • Automatic CE Broker reporting within one business day 
  • Flexible formats—learn via podcast, video, or text, on any device, anytime 

Explore nursing CEU membership options 

Stay licensed, stay ahead 

Michigan CEU requirements for nurses are straightforward once you know the numbers: 28 hours every 2-year renewal cycle, with mandatory topics that can all be completed online. Staying compliant doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. 

Explore Elite Learning’s Michigan nursing CE packages and get started today. Spend less time worrying about renewal and more time doing what you do best: caring for your patients. 

Frequently asked questions 

How many CEUs do Michigan nurses need for license renewal? 

Michigan requires 28 hours of continuing education every 2-year renewal cycle. This applies to both RNs and LPNs. No more than 12 credit hours may be earned in any 24-hour period. 

Do Michigan nurses need implicit bias training for license renewal? 

Yes. Michigan requires 1 hour of implicit bias training per year of the license cycle—2 hours total for a standard 2-year renewal. Initial applicants must complete 2 hours within the 5 years preceding licensure. 

Can Michigan nurses complete their CEUs online? 

Yes. All Michigan nursing CE requirements, including mandatory topics like Pain and Symptom Management and Implicit Bias Training, can be completed online through an ANCC-accredited provider like Elite Learning. 

Does Human Trafficking training count toward my 28 CE hours? 

No. Human Trafficking training is a one-time requirement and does not count toward Michigan’s 28-hour CE total. 

Who needs DEA MATE Act training in Michigan? 

DEA-registered practitioners—excluding those with DVM-only licenses—who started or renewed their DEA registrations on or after June 27, 2023 must complete a one-time 8-hour training on opioid and substance use disorder treatment. This requirement applies primarily to APNs. 

What is the most affordable way to meet Michigan nursing CE requirements? 

Elite Learning’s Michigan Nursing CE Requirements Package covers all 28 hours, including mandatory topics, for $58.95. Alternatively, the Elite Nursing Passport Lite membership ($48/year) includes your state CE package plus 70+ additional courses.