The Michigan LARA Nurse Practitioner Specialty Certification application is the form a registered nurse (RN) files with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Board of Nursing to add advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specialty status to an existing Michigan RN license. It is filed through MiPLUS, Michigan’s online licensing portal, or on paper, and it is the gateway to practicing as a Family, Adult-Gerontology, Pediatric, Psychiatric/Mental Health, or Neonatal nurse practitioner in the state under the Michigan Public Health Code, Article 15, Part 172.
Michigan has more than 12,000 licensed nurse practitioners as of the most recent LARA workforce data, and a meaningful share of first-time specialty applications are delayed because of avoidable mistakes like name mismatches with AANP or ANCC verification, missing transcripts, or skipped Good Moral Character disclosures. This guide walks you through every field, every attachment, and every filing channel so your application clears the queue on the first try.
- 📝 How to complete each field on the LARA Nurse Specialty Certification application line by line
- 📂 Which documents to gather before you log in to MiPLUS or mail your packet
- 💵 The exact fees, processing times, and renewal rules tied to NP specialty status
- ⚖️ How the Michigan Public Health Code shapes your Good Moral Character answers
- 💊 How the companion Controlled Substance License (CSL) for APRNs fits into the same workflow
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Nurse Specialty Certification application is the LARA form that turns a Michigan RN license into an advanced practice authorization. It does not replace your RN license. Instead, it is layered on top of an active Michigan RN license, which means you must already hold (or be applying for) Michigan RN licensure before LARA will process the specialty form. The legal basis sits in MCL 333.17210 and in the Board of Nursing administrative rules.
Anyone who wants to practice as a nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or clinical nurse specialist in Michigan must file this form. That includes a brand-new graduate of an accredited NP program who just passed the AANP or ANCC exam. It also includes an out-of-state NP who is endorsing a license into Michigan and a long-time Michigan RN who returned to school for an MSN or DNP.
The form is filed with the Michigan Board of Nursing, which sits inside LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing. The Board reviews education, national certification, and character disclosures. The agency cross-checks every answer against transcripts, exam vendor records, and the Nursys national license database, so the form is not a formality. Skipping a box or fudging a date pushes your file into manual review and can add weeks before you can legally bill, prescribe, or sign orders.
A few common misconceptions trip up filers here. First, passing the national NP exam does not, by itself, let you practice in Michigan. Second, holding an NP license in another state does not transfer automatically because Michigan is not a member of the APRN Compact. Third, the specialty certification is not the same as the Controlled Substance License you need to prescribe scheduled medications.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open MiPLUS. Logging in without your documents is the single most common reason applications stall in Pending status for weeks. The portal does not save partial uploads cleanly, and missing fields generate deficiency letters that reset your processing clock.
- Active Michigan RN license number. LARA links the specialty certification to this number, and a missing or expired RN license blocks the application entirely.
- Official national certification verification from AANP or ANCC sent directly to LARA. A printout from your own account is not accepted, and using one triggers an automatic deficiency.
- Official transcripts from your accredited MSN, post-master’s certificate, or DNP program, sent directly from the registrar. Student copies are rejected, and a rejected transcript can add three to six weeks.
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport) for identity matching. A name mismatch with your transcript or certification record is the leading cause of holds.
- Fingerprint receipt from Identogo under LARA’s ORI. Without the receipt number, LARA cannot match your CHRI results to your file.
- Prior-state license verifications through Nursys for every state where you have ever held an RN or APRN license. Missing one state can stall the file even if that license is inactive.
- Name-change documents (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order) if your legal name differs across transcripts, certification, and ID. LARA will not “guess” that two names belong to the same person.
- Social Security Number. Required by MCL 333.16186 for child-support enforcement cross-checks. Refusing to provide it stops the application cold.
- Disclosure documents. Court records, board orders, or rehab completion letters tied to any Yes answer in the Good Moral Character section.
- Payment method. A credit/debit card for MiPLUS or a check/money order for paper. The current specialty application fee is $169 and is non-refundable.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official form lives on LARA’s Nursing Licensing Forms page. The most current revision date appears on the bottom-left corner of the PDF, and you should always confirm you have the latest version because LARA updates the disclosure questions and CE attestations periodically. Filing on an outdated PDF is grounds for rejection.
The fastest path is the MiPLUS portal, where the same questions appear as guided online fields rather than PDF boxes. MiPLUS pre-fills your name and RN license once you create an account, which removes one major source of typos. The portal also accepts uploads of transcripts, name-change documents, and Identogo receipts directly, so you do not need to mail anything separately.
Paper filers download the PDF, print it on white letter-size paper, and mail it to the Michigan Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909. Paper applications take noticeably longer because the file room must scan and key every field by hand before a licensing analyst sees it. Plan on six to eight weeks for paper versus two to four weeks for MiPLUS in normal volume periods.
A misconception worth correcting: some filers think that because the PDF and the MiPLUS screens look different, they are different forms. They are not. They are two channels to the same statutory application, and LARA treats them identically once data lands in the system.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Nurse Specialty Certification Application Line by Line
The walkthrough below follows the order of the MiPLUS screens, which mirror the paper PDF. Use your official documents as the source of truth for every entry. If MiPLUS and your transcript disagree, your transcript wins and you should fix the typo before submitting.
Section 1: Application Type
This screen asks whether you are applying for an Initial specialty certification, a Reinstatement of a lapsed specialty, or a Relicensure after disciplinary action. Choose the option that matches your exact situation. New graduates and most endorsing NPs select Initial. Reinstatement applies only when your prior Michigan APRN status lapsed and you are re-activating it.
For example, Maria Lopez, a 2026 University of Michigan FNP graduate, selects Initial – Specialty Certification – Nurse Practitioner. She does not check Reinstatement because she has never held the credential before. The most common edge case is the RN who held a Michigan APRN years ago, let it lapse, and now wants it back. That filer must select Reinstatement and may owe additional CE.
A common mistake is selecting Initial when you actually need Reinstatement. The consequence is that LARA processes the file on the wrong track, then voids it and asks you to refile, costing weeks. The misconception here is that Initial covers anyone who has been out of practice; it does not, and the Board treats prior holders differently from first-time applicants.
Section 2: Specialty Selected
LARA recognizes specific NP specialties: Family, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Pediatric Primary Care, Pediatric Acute Care, Psychiatric/Mental Health, Neonatal, and Women’s Health. You must pick the specialty that matches the certification you actually earned. The drop-down is unforgiving: pick the wrong one and you will not match the exam vendor’s verification.
For example, Carlos Rivera sat for the AANP FNP exam, so he selects Family. If he had completed an Adult-Gero program but tried to claim Family, the AANP verification would not match and LARA would issue a deficiency. The edge case is the dual-certified NP (FNP and PMHNP), who must file two specialty applications and pay two fees.
The most common mistake here is choosing the program name (e.g., “MSN”) instead of the specialty (e.g., Family). The consequence is automatic rejection at the verification stage. The misconception is that the field is asking what degree you earned; it is not. It is asking which national board exam you passed.
Section 3: Personal Information
Enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card and your transcripts. Use ALL CAPS if you are filing the paper PDF, and use mixed case in MiPLUS. Include any middle name, suffix, or hyphen. Then enter date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format and your Social Security Number with no dashes.
For example, Janet Marie O’Brien-Hughes writes her full hyphenated last name even though she normally goes by Janet Hughes at work. She enters 07/22/1988 in the date-of-birth box. The edge case is the recently married filer whose transcript still shows the maiden name; that filer must attach a marriage certificate so LARA can link the records.
A common mistake is using a nickname or dropping the hyphen, which causes the AANP verification to fail because exam vendors store the name from the application they received. The consequence is a deficiency letter and a delay of two to four weeks. The misconception is that minor punctuation differences “won’t matter.” They do, because the cross-check is literal.
Section 4: Mailing and Residence Address
Enter your current mailing address where you can reliably receive mail for at least the next 90 days. LARA mails wall licenses and deficiency letters to this address. If your mailing and residence addresses differ, fill both. Use a real street address when possible because some LARA correspondence ships via carriers that cannot deliver to P.O. boxes.
For example, Aisha Patel, who is moving from Toledo to Ann Arbor in three weeks, lists her new Ann Arbor address even though she has not moved in yet, and she also updates USPS mail forwarding. The edge case is the military spouse with an APO/FPO address; LARA accepts those but flags them for manual handling.
A common mistake is listing a job address that you will leave before the license arrives. The consequence is a returned wall license and a $20+ replacement fee. The misconception is that updating MiPLUS later is automatic; it is not, and you must change the address in the portal before the license prints.
Section 5: Michigan RN License Number
Enter your active Michigan RN license number exactly as it appears on your wall license or in MiPLUS. The number begins with a prefix (typically 4704) followed by additional digits. Do not enter your national certification number here. The system links your specialty certification to this RN number and will reject any number that is not active.
For example, Marcus Lee enters 4704-12-3456-78 exactly as printed. The edge case is the RN whose license is in Renewal Pending status; that filer should complete the RN renewal first, because LARA will not stack a specialty on top of an unrenewed RN.
A common mistake is entering a national certification number (AANP/ANCC) here. The consequence is an immediate deficiency. The misconception is that any nursing-related number works; only the Michigan RN number does.
Section 6: Education
Enter the name of the school, the program type (MSN, post-master’s certificate, DNP), the start date, and the completion or expected completion date. Include only the program that supports your NP specialty. Do not list your BSN or unrelated certificates here. The school must be accredited by CCNE or ACEN, or LARA will not approve the application.
For example, Maria Lopez enters University of Michigan School of Nursing, MSN-FNP, 09/01/2024 – 04/30/2026. The edge case is the post-master’s certificate filer who already has an MSN in a different specialty; that filer lists the post-master’s program, not the original MSN.
The most common mistake is listing only the BSN. The consequence is rejection because the BSN does not qualify for advanced practice. The misconception is that any graduate degree counts; only an accredited NP-track program does.
Section 7: National Certification
Enter the certifying body (AANP or ANCC), the exact specialty title from your certificate, the certificate number, and the issue and expiration dates. Then check the box authorizing LARA to receive verification directly. AANP and ANCC will not release verification without your authorization.
For example, Carlos Rivera enters AANP, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C), Cert #F0123456, Issued 05/10/2026, Expires 05/10/2031. The edge case is the NP whose certificate is pending exam results; that filer cannot submit the specialty application until results post.
A common mistake is leaving the expiration date blank. The consequence is an automatic deficiency, because LARA needs proof the certification is current. The misconception is that the AANP/ANCC certificate itself is enough; it is not, and only direct verification from the certifying body satisfies LARA.
Section 8: Other State Licenses
List every state where you have ever held an RN or APRN license, even if it is now inactive or expired. Include the state, license number, type, and current status. Then request verification through Nursys for each one. Michigan is not an APRN Compact state, so a multistate RN license alone does not authorize NP practice here.
For example, Janet Hughes, who endorsed from Ohio, lists Ohio, RN-555555, Active and Ohio, APRN-NP-12345, Active, and orders Nursys verification for both. The edge case is the filer who briefly held a license in a state they barely worked in; even that one must be listed.
A common mistake is omitting an old, expired license. The consequence is a discrepancy when LARA’s Nursys query returns the missing state, and the file is held until the filer explains. The misconception is that expired licenses “don’t count”; they do, and omission can be treated as a misrepresentation.
Section 9: Good Moral Character Disclosures
This section asks a series of Yes/No questions about criminal convictions, prior board discipline, malpractice judgments, substance use disorder treatment, and physical or mental conditions that could impair practice. Answer truthfully. A Yes is not an automatic denial; a hidden Yes almost always is. Michigan defines Good Moral Character in MCL 338.41.
For example, Aisha Patel has a single 2018 misdemeanor for driving without a valid license that was later set aside. She answers Yes, attaches the court records and the set-aside order, and writes a brief explanation. The edge case is the filer who completed a confidential rehabilitation program; LARA generally treats successful completion favorably when fully disclosed.
The most common mistake is answering No because “it was a long time ago” or “the record was sealed.” The consequence is that LARA’s CHRI fingerprint check finds it anyway, and the omission becomes the basis for denial. The misconception is that minor offenses can be ignored; they cannot, and even dismissed cases must be disclosed if the question asks about charges.
Section 10: Continuing Education and Implicit Bias Attestation
Initial applicants attest that they will meet Michigan’s CE requirements at first renewal: 25 contact hours every two years, including 2 hours of pain and pain symptom management and the implicit bias training required since 2022. Reinstatement applicants must already have the CE in hand. Check the boxes confirming you understand the rule.
For example, Marcus Lee, a new graduate, checks the attestation that he will complete the required hours by his first renewal cycle. The edge case is the reinstating NP who was inactive for years; that filer must show 25 hours of recent CE before LARA will reactivate.
A common mistake is treating the implicit bias hours as separate from the 25; they count toward the 25 only if the rule’s specific structure allows it, and most filers should plan on completing implicit bias training in addition to the core hours. The consequence of a miscount at renewal is a non-renewal status. The misconception is that the rule applies only at renewal; it actually applies from your first day of NP practice.
Section 11: Fingerprints and CHRI
Schedule fingerprinting at an Identogo site using LARA’s ORI. Enter the receipt number, date printed, and the agency code into the application. Without this step, LARA cannot run your Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) check, and the file cannot move.
For example, Maria Lopez prints at the Identogo site in Ypsilanti, gets receipt MI-2026-0581234, and enters that number. The edge case is the out-of-state filer who cannot easily travel to Michigan; LARA accepts FBI-channeled prints from approved out-of-state vendors when local Identogo is not available.
A common mistake is using prints taken for a previous employer or a different agency. The consequence is rejection because CHRI results are not transferable across agencies. The misconception is that one fingerprint session covers all licenses; it does not, and each agency requires its own scheduled session.
Section 12: Affidavit and Signature
Sign and date the affidavit. The signature attests that everything in the application is true, complete, and correct, under penalty of perjury and Michigan licensing law. In MiPLUS, this is an electronic signature; on paper, it must be wet-ink in blue or black. A typed name on a paper form is not a signature.
For example, Janet Hughes signs Janet M. O’Brien-Hughes in blue ink and dates 05/28/2026. The edge case is the filer using a power of attorney; LARA generally does not accept POA signatures on professional licensure affidavits, so the applicant must sign personally.
A common mistake is dating the form before completing it and then submitting weeks later. The consequence is a stale affidavit and a request to re-sign. The misconception is that a digital photo of a signature on a paper form is acceptable; LARA wants original ink on the paper channel.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three named filers below illustrate the most common paths through the form. Each table shows what the filer enters in the most consequential sections.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, 2026 FNP graduate, MiPLUS filer
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Initial – Specialty Certification – Nurse Practitioner |
| Specialty Selected | Family |
| Legal Name | Maria Elena Lopez |
| Date of Birth | 03/14/1998 |
| Michigan RN License | 4704-23-4567-89 |
| Education | University of Michigan, MSN-FNP, 09/01/2024 – 04/30/2026 |
| National Certification | AANP, FNP-C, F0123456, 05/10/2026 – 05/10/2031 |
| Other State Licenses | None |
| Good Moral Character | No to all questions |
| Fingerprint Receipt | MI-2026-0581234, Identogo Ypsilanti |
Scenario 2: Janet Hughes, FNP endorsing from Ohio
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Initial – Specialty Certification – Nurse Practitioner |
| Specialty Selected | Family |
| Legal Name | Janet Marie O’Brien-Hughes |
| Date of Birth | 07/22/1988 |
| Michigan RN License | 4704-99-1122-33 (pending endorsement) |
| Education | Ohio State University, MSN-FNP, 08/2014 – 05/2016 |
| National Certification | ANCC, FNP-BC, 2014-987654, 06/2016 – 06/2026 (renewed) |
| Other State Licenses | Ohio RN-555555 Active; Ohio APRN-NP-12345 Active |
| Good Moral Character | No to all |
| Name-Change Documents | Marriage certificate attached (O’Brien → O’Brien-Hughes) |
Scenario 3: Marcus Lee, longtime Michigan RN adding AGACNP
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Initial – Specialty Certification – Nurse Practitioner |
| Specialty Selected | Adult-Gerontology Acute Care |
| Legal Name | Marcus Anthony Lee |
| Date of Birth | 11/05/1980 |
| Michigan RN License | 4704-11-2233-44 (active 18 years) |
| Education | Wayne State University, DNP-AGACNP, 09/2023 – 12/2025 |
| National Certification | ANCC, AGACNP-BC, 2026-112233, 01/2026 – 01/2031 |
| Other State Licenses | None |
| Good Moral Character | Yes – 2009 misdemeanor, set aside; explanation attached |
| Fingerprint Receipt | MI-2026-0612345, Identogo Detroit |
How to File the Completed Form
Michigan accepts this application through two channels. Pick the one that fits your timeline and your comfort with technology, but know that the channel changes how fast LARA can act on your file.
Online via MiPLUS. Create an account, link your Michigan RN license, and select Apply for a New License/Registration → Nurse Specialty Certification. Pay the $169 non-refundable application fee with a Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express card. Upload transcripts, name-change documents, and the Identogo receipt directly into the portal. Expected processing time is two to four weeks once all verifications post. Save the MiPLUS confirmation number and the PDF receipt as your proof of filing.
Paper via mail. Print the PDF from the LARA Nursing page, complete every field in black ink, and mail the packet with a check or money order for $169 payable to State of Michigan to Michigan Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909. Send the packet via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt or a tracked carrier so you have delivery proof. Expected processing time is six to eight weeks. Keep a full photocopy of everything you mailed; LARA does not return originals.
In-person filing is not available. LARA closed walk-in licensing intake years ago. Faxed applications are also not accepted for this form. Anything sent by fax will be discarded without notice, which is one of the more painful surprises filers encounter.
What Happens After You File
Once LARA receives your file, a licensing analyst opens a case in MiPLUS and begins matching documents against your application. Verifications from AANP or ANCC, transcripts from your school, and Nursys results from prior states must all post to your file before the analyst can recommend approval. You can log in to MiPLUS any time to see which items are still outstanding.
If something is missing or unclear, LARA issues a Deficiency Letter through MiPLUS and by mail. You generally have 60 days to cure the deficiency. Ignore it and the file goes inactive, which means you have to start over and pay the fee again. Respond promptly with exactly what is requested.
When the file is complete and the CHRI check clears, the Board issues your specialty certification. MiPLUS updates first, usually within 24 hours, and the wall certificate mails to your address of record within two weeks. You can begin practicing as a nurse practitioner the moment your status shows Active – Specialty Certification in MiPLUS, not when the paper certificate arrives. A common misconception is that you must wait for the wall license; you do not.
Right after approval, most NPs immediately apply for the Michigan Controlled Substance License for APRNs, which is a separate $46 application required to prescribe scheduled medications, and then for a federal DEA registration. Without both, you cannot prescribe controlled substances even though your NP status is active.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each item below is a real, recurring error that delays Michigan NP applications. The consequence after the dash is what actually happens when you trip the wire.
- Listing your AANP or ANCC certificate number in the Michigan RN field — instant deficiency and a two-to-four-week setback.
- Selecting the wrong specialty drop-down (Family vs. Adult-Gero) — verification mismatch and a forced refile.
- Using a nickname instead of full legal name — AANP/ANCC verification fails and the file is held.
- Forgetting to authorize direct verification from AANP or ANCC — LARA never receives the document and the case stalls indefinitely.
- Submitting a student copy of your transcript — automatic rejection because only registrar-sent transcripts are accepted.
- Skipping a previously held out-of-state license on Section 8 — Nursys returns the missing record and the file is flagged for misrepresentation.
- Answering No on a Good Moral Character question that should be Yes — CHRI check finds the record and the omission becomes grounds for denial.
- Using fingerprints from a prior employer instead of a fresh Identogo session under LARA’s ORI — CHRI cannot match and the case cannot move.
- Mailing a check that is not signed or not dated — packet returned unprocessed and your place in queue is lost.
- Forgetting to update your MiPLUS address before moving — wall license is returned undeliverable and you pay a replacement fee.
- Dating the affidavit weeks before submission on paper — stale signature and a request to re-sign.
- Filing the specialty certification before your RN license is fully active — application sits in Pending RN status until the underlying license posts.
Do’s and Don’ts
The list below distills the highest-leverage habits that move applications through the queue cleanly.
Do’s – Do file through MiPLUS whenever possible, because it cuts processing time roughly in half compared to paper. – Do schedule your Identogo fingerprint session the same day you start the application, so the CHRI clock runs while you gather other documents. – Do request AANP or ANCC verification to LARA the moment you pass the exam, because verification can lag a week or more. – Do photocopy or save PDFs of every page you submit, because LARA does not return originals and disputes turn on what you can prove. – Do answer Good Moral Character questions truthfully and attach explanations, because honesty almost always preserves the license. – Do log in to MiPLUS weekly during processing, because deficiency letters sometimes arrive in the portal before the mail.
Don’ts – Don’t paraphrase the specialty title; copy it exactly from your AANP or ANCC certificate to avoid mismatch flags. – Don’t fax anything to LARA for this form, because faxes are not accepted and will be discarded. – Don’t pay the fee with a personal check that lacks a printed address, because LARA’s bank rejects starter checks. – Don’t assume an APRN Compact license covers Michigan, because Michigan has not joined the compact. – Don’t combine your RN renewal and your specialty application into one packet; they are separate transactions and combining them confuses processing. – Don’t begin practicing before MiPLUS shows Active – Specialty Certification, because the certificate-in-the-mail is not legal authorization.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most NPs file this form themselves and do fine. A small minority benefit from professional help, especially when disclosures get complicated. Weigh the trade-offs below before you decide.
Pros of filing yourself – You save the $200 to $750 a licensing service typically charges, because the form is straightforward when documents are in order. – You learn Michigan’s licensing system firsthand, which makes future renewals and CSL filings much faster. – You control the timeline directly, since no third party sits between you and the LARA analyst. – You get notifications first through MiPLUS, which lets you cure deficiencies the same day they post. – You avoid relying on a service that may not understand your specific specialty or program.
Cons of filing yourself – You shoulder every error personally, and a single missed disclosure can become a denial. – You spend hours navigating MiPLUS, Identogo, AANP/ANCC, and Nursys instead of preparing for your new role. – You have no buffer if a complex disclosure requires legal framing under MCL 338.41. – You may miss subtle changes in LARA forms or rules between filings, which a specialist tracks daily. – You lose time on customer-service holds with vendors that a professional service can often skip.
A licensing attorney is genuinely worth the cost when you have prior board discipline, an unresolved criminal matter, or a substance use history that requires careful presentation. For a clean record and a clean transcript, do it yourself.
Filing by MiPLUS vs. Paper
| Factor | MiPLUS vs. Paper |
|---|---|
| Processing Time | 2–4 weeks online vs. 6–8 weeks paper |
| Payment | Credit/debit card vs. check or money order |
| Document Upload | Direct upload to portal vs. mailed paper copies |
| Status Visibility | Real-time dashboard vs. mailed letters only |
| Deficiency Cure | Same-day re-upload vs. mail round-trip |
| Proof of Filing | MiPLUS confirmation number vs. Certified Mail receipt |
| Signature | E-signature in portal vs. wet-ink on PDF |
| Cost | $169 either way |
FAQs
Do I need an active Michigan RN license before I apply for the NP specialty? Yes. The specialty certification layers onto an active Michigan RN license, so you must hold or be in the process of obtaining the RN before LARA processes the specialty form.
Is Michigan part of the APRN Compact? No. Michigan has not joined the APRN Compact, so an out-of-state APRN license does not authorize practice in Michigan without filing this specialty application.
Can I list my AANP certificate number in the Michigan RN License field? No. That field requires only your Michigan RN license number; entering a national certification number triggers an automatic deficiency.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the Legal Name field? Yes — write your current legal name, the one on your Social Security card, and attach a marriage certificate if your transcripts show a different name.
Should I check Yes on a Good Moral Character question for a misdemeanor that was set aside? Yes. Even set-aside or expunged records must be disclosed when the question asks about charges or convictions; attach court documents and a brief explanation.
Do I need to list expired out-of-state RN licenses in Section 8? Yes. List every state license you have ever held, even if expired or inactive, because Nursys will return them and a missing entry looks like misrepresentation.
Can I use fingerprints from a previous employer for the CHRI check? No. You must complete a new Identogo session under LARA’s ORI; prior prints from other agencies are not transferable to this application.
Is the Controlled Substance License part of the same application? No. The APRN Controlled Substance License is a separate $46 application filed after the specialty certification is approved, and a federal DEA registration is also required.
Does my MiPLUS approval mean I can start practicing right away? Yes. Once MiPLUS shows Active – Specialty Certification, you are legally authorized to practice as an NP, even before the paper certificate arrives in the mail.
Can I file this application by fax? No. LARA does not accept faxed applications for the Nurse Specialty Certification; fax submissions are discarded without notice.
Is the $169 application fee refundable if my application is denied? No. The application fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome, so verify every field and document before paying.
Do I have to complete implicit bias training before my first renewal? Yes. Michigan requires implicit bias training for all health professionals, and you must complete it before your first specialty renewal under the LARA rule.
Can I apply for the specialty certification while my NP exam results are still pending? No. LARA requires a passed national certification on file, so wait for your AANP or ANCC results to post before submitting Section 7.
Will LARA accept a transcript I downloaded from my school’s student portal? No. Only official transcripts sent directly from the school’s registrar to LARA are accepted; student copies are rejected at intake.
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