Nurse aides, also known as nurse assistants, must hold a valid Michigan Nurse Registry certificate to practice in the state. If your certification expired less than 24 months ago and you have worked as a nurse aide for at least eight hours in the past 24 months, you can renew your certification. You will, however, have to sit for written and clinical nurse aide examinations. If your certification expired more than 24 months ago, you cannot renew your certification and must go through the full training and testing program to qualify to work as a nurse aide.

Get a “Request for Exemption from Nurse Aide Training” application. Call the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs at 514-241-0554 or download and print one from the department’s website (see Resources).

Complete the application. You must include your expired Michigan Nurse Registry certificate number on this application. Sign and date the application.

Gather your required documents. Include a copy of your expired Michigan Nurse Registry certificate with your application. Enclose a letter from your employer stating that you worked for at least eight hours as a nurse aide within the past 24 months. This letter must be signed by the facility administrator, director of nursing or assistant director of nursing of the facility where you worked.

Submit the application. Mail your application and required documentation to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Health Professions at P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI, 48909.

Complete your required exams. Once your application for training exemption is approved, you will receive notification that you can write your written and clinical exams. Prometric administers these tests on behalf of the state and you must contact Prometric to schedule your exams (see Resources). Once you have passed both exams, Prometric will issue you your new Nurse Registry certificate.