Licensed School Nurse

The Licensed School Nurse (LSN) credential is issued by Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) as a school nurse (Minnesota Rules, 8710.6100), which requires current professional registered nurse license (RN) and registration as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) from the MN Board of Nursing and have a bachelor degree or higher in nursing education.

Obtaining School Nurse Licensure

To become a licensed school nurse in Minnesota requires a two-step process. Prior to applying to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for a school nurse license, a nurse must be registered with the Minnesota Board of Nursing as a public health nurse (PHN).

Registration as a Public Health Nurse

The requirements for registration as a PHN are found in Minnesota Rules Chapter 6316 and include the following:

• Must be licensed and currently registered to practice professional (registered) nursing in Minnesota.
• Must have a baccalaureate or higher degree with a major in nursing. The applicants course work must have included theory and clinical practice in public health nursing. The theory portion of the public health nursing education must have been at least 30 hours in length. The PHN nursing content in a hospital diploma or associate degree program does not qualify.

For questions about PHN registration - contact the Board of Nursing at 612-317-3000.

Application for School Nurse Licensure

To be a licensed school nurse (LSN) in Minnesota, a nurse must obtain a school nurse license issued by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board requires submission of the nurses PHN registration as part of the application process for a school nurse license. Application for a school nurse license may be made to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

Maintaining School Nurse Licensure

Administrative Rule 8710.6100 School Nurse requires the school nurse licensure to be renewed according to the licensure renewal rules of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board governing this license. A current Minnesota Board of Nursing license and Public Health Nurse registration are also required.

Minnesota Licensed School Nurses hold either a Tier 3 or Tier 4 PELSB license. Renewal requirements need to be met for whichever tier the licensed school nurse is applying for renewal.

• Tier 3 license is for nurses with less than 3 years' experience as a Licensed School Nurse.
• Tier 4 license is for nurses who have 3 or more years of experience as a Licensed School Nurse.
• A school nurse will typically apply for a Tier 3 license for their initial school nurse license and then apply for a Tier 4 license upon renewal.

The renewal period is open between January 1 – June 30 of the license expiration year.

PELSB licensure requirements include a meeting a specific number of professional development “clock hours” (determine by licensure Tier), including professional development in specified mandatory categories.

All hours must be approved and submitted before applying for renewal with PELSB.

• Local district re-licensure committee / continuing education committee is responsible for reviewing and determining if an individual has met the PELSB renewal requirements.
• This committee will submit/verify with PELSB that an individual has fulfilled the required contact hours and mandatory requirements.
• Licensed School Nurses should find out to whom and how to submit professional development activities in their local district and what their local district’s procedure is for submitting/verifying clock hours with PELSB.
• For individuals not employed by a district, it is still the responsibility of the local district to submit/verify contact hours for individuals residing within their area. The individual will need to contact the local district and ask what their procedure is for clock hour verification.

Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) Renew My License

National Association of State School Nurse Consultants Action Agendas

The National Association of State School Nurse Consultants (NASSNC) issued a brief calling for school nurses to speak with a unified voice. The public recognizes and respects the credential of Registered Nurse (RN) and understands they are vital healthcare providers. Professional nurses are encouraged to include RN in all signatures and signage (RN, Licensed School Nurse).

Action Agenda #1 – School Nurses: Declare you are a Registered Nurse