Michigan Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist license renewal and CE requirements
Michigan nurse anesthetists must complete 25 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Michigan Board of Nursing (Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing).
Michigan does not issue a separate nurse anesthetist licence. It grants a nurse anesthetist specialty certification that sits on the registered nurse licence, and R 338.10405(1) states that specialty certification renewal must correspond with the same schedule as the licence renewal. Nursing licences expire biennially on the issue date under R 338.7001a and are renewed every two years in MiPLUS; the initial licence and every renewal run two years. LARA mails and emails a renewal notification postcard about 90 business days before expiration, but failure to receive it does not excuse a late renewal. There is a 60 day grace period after expiration in which the licence can still be renewed for a $20 late fee instead of going through relicensure. A licence carrying a limitation may be renewed for a term shorter than two years. Suspension or revocation of the RN licence automatically voids the specialty certification. On the renewal application the specialty box is pre-checked, and keeping it checked attests that the nurse currently holds national certification from an approved specialty organization; unchecking it means the specialty is not renewed.
Summary
Michigan nurse anesthetists must complete 25 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Michigan Board of Nursing (Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing). Michigan does not issue a separate nurse anesthetist licence. It grants a nurse anesthetist specialty certification that sits on the registered nurse licence, and R 338.10405(1) states that specialty certification renewal must correspond with the same schedule as the licence renewal. Nursing licences expire biennially on the issue date under R 338.7001a and are renewed every two years in MiPLUS; the initial licence and every renewal run two years. LARA mails and emails a renewal notification postcard about 90 business days before expiration, but failure to receive it does not excuse a late renewal. There is a 60 day grace period after expiration in which the licence can still be renewed for a $20 late fee instead of going through relicensure. A licence carrying a limitation may be renewed for a term shorter than two years. Suspension or revocation of the RN licence automatically voids the specialty certification. On the renewal application the specialty box is pre-checked, and keeping it checked attests that the nurse currently holds national certification from an approved specialty organization; unchecking it means the specialty is not renewed. Michigan also mandates specific subjects. Pain and pain symptom management: 2 contact hours every renewal cycle (every applicant for nursing licence renewal, including a nurse anesthetist; the rule is not scoped to prescribers). Implicit bias training: 2 contact hours every renewal cycle (every individual applying for licence or registration renewal, reregistration or relicensure under article 15 of the public health code, which includes nurses). Training in identifying victims of human trafficking: a one-time requirement (every individual licensed or seeking licensure, including a nurse anesthetist). Opioids and other controlled substances awareness training: a one-time requirement (only a nurse who also holds or applies for a controlled substance licence, or who is licensed to prescribe or dispense controlled substances).
Michigan Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist renewal and continuing education rules
"Not stated" means the board's pages and rules we read do not address it. We do not fill in typical values.
| Renewal cycle | Two-year (24 months) |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | Tied to the original issue date |
| Continuing education required | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 25 contact hours |
| Self-study or online cap | No cap stated |
| Carryover to next cycle | Not stated |
| First renewal exempt | Not stated |
| Other accepted activities | Obtaining or maintaining specialty certification as a nurse anesthetist, credited as the full 25 hours of continuing education including the 2 hours for pain and symptom management (R 338.10602(2)(c)); proof of certification or recertification is what an audited licensee submits; Academic courses related to nursing practice from a board approved or nationally accredited program, credited at 5 hours per semester credit hour or 3 hours per quarter credit hour; Successful completion of a national nursing specialty examination, 10 hours in the year of a passing score, maximum 20 hours per renewal period, no credit for repeating the same examination in a period; Initial publication of a chapter or article related to nursing or allied health in a nursing or healthcare textbook, peer reviewed textbook or peer reviewed journal, 10 hours per publication, maximum 10 hours per renewal period; Independent reading of articles or viewing or listening to media related to nursing practice without a self-assessment component, 1 hour per 50 to 60 minutes, maximum 4 hours per renewal period; Participation on a healthcare organization committee dealing with quality patient care or utilization review, 1 hour per 60 minutes, maximum 4 hours per renewal period; Presenting an academic or continuing education program that is not part of the applicant's regular job description, 3 hours per 60 minutes of presentation, maximum 6 hours per renewal period; Serving as preceptor for at least one nursing student or a new employee undergoing orientation, minimum 24 preceptor hours at a 1 to 1 ratio, 24 preceptor hours equals 1 continuing education hour, maximum 5 hours per renewal period; Nursing orientation, nurse residency or new nurse educator orientation learning experiences, minimum 24 hours, 24 hours equals 1 continuing education hour, maximum 5 hours per renewal period |
Michigan sets no separate hour count for the nurse anesthetist specialty certification, and the figure matches the state's nurse practitioner record. R 338.10601(1) requires an applicant for licence renewal who has been licensed for the two year period immediately before expiration to accumulate not less than 25 hours of board approved continuing education during those two years, and 10601(2) requires that not less than 2 of the 25 be in pain and pain symptom management. For a nurse anesthetist the practical route is national certification: R 338.10602(2)(c) credits obtaining or maintaining certification as a nurse anesthetist with the full 25 hours including the 2 pain hours. That is an acceptance of NBCRNA recertification in lieu of state hours, not an adoption of NBCRNA's own credit totals; Michigan's number stays 25 hours in 24 months and the four year NBCRNA Continued Professional Certification cycle does not line up with it. Separately, R 338.10405(2) conditions renewal or reregistration of the nurse anesthetist specialty certification on having obtained recertification or maintained certification from the NBCRNA or a successor organization within the two year period immediately before the application. No more than 12 credit hours may be earned during any 24 hour period, and a licensee may not earn credit for a program identical to one already credited in the same renewal period. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists is named as an approving organization for acceptable continuing education, and a program is approved regardless of the format in which it is offered, so Michigan sets no general cap on online or self-study delivery; the caps that exist are per activity type. Implicit bias training may be counted toward the continuing education requirement, but human trafficking training may not.
Required CE topics for Michigan certified registered nurse anesthetists
State-specific subject mandates. Where a mandate applies only to some licensees, the scope is listed.
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Applies to | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain and pain symptom managementAt least 2 of the 25 hours in each renewal period. The rule says the content may include courses in behavior management, psychology of pain, pharmacology, behavior modification, stress management, clinical applications, and drug interventions as they relate to professional practice. A nurse anesthetist who claims the 25 hours through specialty certification is credited with these 2 hours as part of that block. | 2 contact hours | Every renewal | Every applicant for nursing licence renewal, including a nurse anesthetist; the rule is not scoped to prescribers | R 338.10601(2); MCL 333.16204 |
| Implicit bias trainingThe rule states a minimum of 1 hour for each year of the applicant's licence cycle, which is 2 hours on the nursing profession's two year cycle, and LARA stresses that this is not a one time training and must be completed for each renewal cycle. The training may be used to satisfy other training or continuing education requirements for renewal unless the code or rules prohibit it, and the nursing rules expressly allow it to count toward the 25 hours. Hours may not be carried forward from one renewal cycle to the next, and identical or substantially identical training may not be counted twice in the same cycle. Content must relate to reducing barriers and disparities in access to and delivery of healthcare services and must include pre and post test implicit bias assessments. Documentation is retained for 6 years and may be a completion certificate or a self-attestation. | 2 contact hours | Every renewal | Every individual applying for licence or registration renewal, reregistration or relicensure under article 15 of the public health code, which includes nurses | R 338.7004(2) |
| Training in identifying victims of human traffickingA one time training, required for licensure since January 6, 2022 and certified on the renewal application. Content must cover understanding the types and venues of human trafficking in this state or the United States, identifying victims in healthcare settings, identifying the warning signs in healthcare settings for adults and minors, and identifying resources for reporting suspected victims. Acceptable providers include a nationally or state recognized health related organization, a state or federal agency, a board approved educational program, a college or university, or reading a qualifying article in a peer reviewed, healthcare, professional or scientific journal. The rule sets no hour count, so hours is null, and R 338.10602(1)(b) says continuing education credit may not be earned for the human trafficking requirement. | Not stated | One time | Every individual licensed or seeking licensure, including a nurse anesthetist | R 338.10105; MCL 333.16148 |
| Opioids and other controlled substances awareness trainingA one time training that meets the standards in the Board of Pharmacy controlled substances rule R 338.3135, certified on the renewal application. It is scoped to controlled substance licensees rather than to all nurses, so it reaches a nurse anesthetist only if the CRNA holds a Michigan controlled substance licence. The nursing rule states no hour count, so hours is null. | Not stated | One time | Only a nurse who also holds or applies for a controlled substance licence, or who is licensed to prescribe or dispense controlled substances | R 338.10601(3); R 338.3135 |
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | No, attestation only |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | 4 years |
| Board audits compliance | Yes |
| Approved providers | Continuing education is approved regardless of format if it is offered for continuing education credit by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the American Osteopathic Association, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service, the National League for Nursing, another state or provincial board of nursing, or a board approved nursing education program. Submission of the renewal application is the licensee's certification of compliance, and the board may require an applicant to submit evidence. A nurse retains continuing education documentation for 4 years after applying for renewal, and an applicant for the nurse anesthetist specialty certification retains evidence of compliance with R 338.10405 for 4 years after the date of application; implicit bias training documentation is retained for 6 years. If audited for continuing education, the licensee submits a letter or certificate of completion showing the licensee's name, hours earned, sponsor or approving organization, and the date. If claiming the certification route, the licensee submits proof of certification or recertification. LARA has partnered with CE Broker to help licensees track credits. |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a Michigan CRNA need to renew?
- Michigan nurse anesthetists must complete 25 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Michigan Board of Nursing (Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing). Michigan sets no separate hour count for the nurse anesthetist specialty certification, and the figure matches the state's nurse practitioner record. R 338.10601(1) requires an applicant for licence renewal who has been licensed for the two year period immediately before expiration to accumulate not less than 25 hours of board approved continuing education during those two years, and 10601(2) requires that not less than 2 of the 25 be in pain and pain symptom management. For a nurse anesthetist the practical route is national certification: R 338.10602(2)(c) credits obtaining or maintaining certification as a nurse anesthetist with the full 25 hours including the 2 pain hours. That is an acceptance of NBCRNA recertification in lieu of state hours, not an adoption of NBCRNA's own credit totals; Michigan's number stays 25 hours in 24 months and the four year NBCRNA Continued Professional Certification cycle does not line up with it. Separately, R 338.10405(2) conditions renewal or reregistration of the nurse anesthetist specialty certification on having obtained recertification or maintained certification from the NBCRNA or a successor organization within the two year period immediately before the application. No more than 12 credit hours may be earned during any 24 hour period, and a licensee may not earn credit for a program identical to one already credited in the same renewal period. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists is named as an approving organization for acceptable continuing education, and a program is approved regardless of the format in which it is offered, so Michigan sets no general cap on online or self-study delivery; the caps that exist are per activity type. Implicit bias training may be counted toward the continuing education requirement, but human trafficking training may not.
- How often does a Michigan CRNA license need to be renewed?
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist licenses in Michigan renew every two years. Michigan does not issue a separate nurse anesthetist licence. It grants a nurse anesthetist specialty certification that sits on the registered nurse licence, and R 338.10405(1) states that specialty certification renewal must correspond with the same schedule as the licence renewal. Nursing licences expire biennially on the issue date under R 338.7001a and are renewed every two years in MiPLUS; the initial licence and every renewal run two years. LARA mails and emails a renewal notification postcard about 90 business days before expiration, but failure to receive it does not excuse a late renewal. There is a 60 day grace period after expiration in which the licence can still be renewed for a $20 late fee instead of going through relicensure. A licence carrying a limitation may be renewed for a term shorter than two years. Suspension or revocation of the RN licence automatically voids the specialty certification. On the renewal application the specialty box is pre-checked, and keeping it checked attests that the nurse currently holds national certification from an approved specialty organization; unchecking it means the specialty is not renewed.
- What specific CE topics are required for Michigan nurse anesthetists?
- Pain and pain symptom management: 2 contact hours every renewal cycle (every applicant for nursing licence renewal, including a nurse anesthetist; the rule is not scoped to prescribers). Implicit bias training: 2 contact hours every renewal cycle (every individual applying for licence or registration renewal, reregistration or relicensure under article 15 of the public health code, which includes nurses). Training in identifying victims of human trafficking: a one-time requirement (every individual licensed or seeking licensure, including a nurse anesthetist). Opioids and other controlled substances awareness training: a one-time requirement (only a nurse who also holds or applies for a controlled substance licence, or who is licensed to prescribe or dispense controlled substances). Citations: pain and pain symptom management (R 338.10601(2); MCL 333.16204), implicit bias training (R 338.7004(2)), training in identifying victims of human trafficking (R 338.10105; MCL 333.16148), and opioids and other controlled substances awareness training (R 338.10601(3); R 338.3135).
- Do Michigan nurse anesthetists have to submit CE certificates at renewal?
- Licensees attest to completion at renewal rather than submitting certificates, the board audits a sample of renewals and asks for documentation, and records must be kept for 4 years. Continuing education is approved regardless of format if it is offered for continuing education credit by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the American Osteopathic Association, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service, the National League for Nursing, another state or provincial board of nursing, or a board approved nursing education program. Submission of the renewal application is the licensee's certification of compliance, and the board may require an applicant to submit evidence. A nurse retains continuing education documentation for 4 years after applying for renewal, and an applicant for the nurse anesthetist specialty certification retains evidence of compliance with R 338.10405 for 4 years after the date of application; implicit bias training documentation is retained for 6 years. If audited for continuing education, the licensee submits a letter or certificate of completion showing the licensee's name, hours earned, sponsor or approving organization, and the date. If claiming the certification route, the licensee submits proof of certification or recertification. LARA has partnered with CE Broker to help licensees track credits.
Sources
Last verified September 8, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- Michigan Administrative Rules for Nursing, R 338.10101 to R 338.10705, rendered as HTML (R 338.10105 human trafficking, R 338.10401 to 10405 specialty certification for nurse anesthetists, R 338.10601 and 10602 continuing education)Statute or administrative rule, accessed September 8, 2026
- Michigan Administrative Rules, General Rules of the Bureau of Professional Licensing, R 338.7001 to R 338.7005, rendered as HTML (R 338.7001a biennial renewal on the issue date, R 338.7004 implicit bias training standards)Statute or administrative rule, accessed September 8, 2026
- Nursing Licensing Guide and FAQs, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (renewal requirements checklist, specialty certification attestation, grace period, CE Broker)State board page, accessed September 8, 2026
- MCL 333.16148 Rules; training standards for identifying victims of human traffickingStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 8, 2026
- Nursing, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsState board page, accessed September 8, 2026
Michigan treats nurse anesthesia as a nursing specialty certification on the registered nurse licence rather than as a separate advanced practice licence, and R 338.10401(1)(b) defines nurse anesthetist as a registered nurse certified by the board to use that title. Each of the four specialties now has its own qualification and renewal rule: R 338.10404 and R 338.10405 for the nurse anesthetist, 404a and 405a for the nurse midwife, 404b and 405b for the nurse practitioner, 404c and 405c for the clinical nurse specialist. That is worth flagging because an older reading of these rules held that only the nurse anesthetist had its own renewal rule; the current rules, last amended effective May 8, 2024, give all four one. The nurse anesthetist rule is distinctive in naming a single certifying body, the NBCRNA or a successor, where the nurse practitioner rule lists seven. The continuing education figure is the shared nursing figure and is identical to the state's nurse practitioner record: 25 hours per two year cycle including 2 hours of pain and pain symptom management, with maintaining nurse anesthetist certification credited as the whole 25 including the 2 pain hours. Scope was checked topic by topic. Pain management and implicit bias reach every renewing nurse. Human trafficking reaches every licensee and may not be counted as continuing education credit. The opioids and controlled substances awareness training is scoped to controlled substance licensees, so it is recorded with a conditional applies_to rather than inherited. No suicide prevention, ethics or jurisprudence requirement was found in the nursing rules. The administrative code URLs look like PDF file paths but carry ReturnHTML=True and return content-type text/html; they were read as rendered HTML, and nothing was downloaded. Retention is recorded as 4 years, which is the continuing education and specialty certification figure; implicit bias documentation is kept 6 years and that is noted in the documentation field. Carryover is left null because the rules require the hours to fall in the two years before expiration without using the word carryover, except for implicit bias hours, which the rule expressly forbids carrying forward.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the Michigan Board of Nursing (Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing) before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.