Healthcare Recruiting
Minnesota CRNA License 2026: APRN Requirements, Practice Model, Salary
Minnesota CRNAs are licensed as APRNs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Minnesota has full practice authority for CRNAs — no physician supervision or collaboration agreement is required by state law. Minnesota has opted out of the federal Medicare physician supervision requirement. The Twin Cities feature a mix of ACT and CRNA-independent models across major health systems; Rochester's Mayo Clinic is the region's dominant academic anesthesia employer.
Practice Model
- Full Practice Authority — no state-mandated supervision or collaboration requirement
- Minnesota has opted out of federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement
- ACT model: Mayo Clinic (Rochester), M Health Fairview (Minneapolis), Children's Minnesota
- CRNA-independent model: community hospitals, ASCs, Sanford and Essentia rural facilities across northern Minnesota
- Greater Minnesota (outside Twin Cities metro) relies heavily on CRNA-only anesthesia for smaller surgical volumes
Application Requirements
- Active Minnesota RN license (compact or MN-issued)
- Current NBCRNA certification
- Official nurse anesthesia program documentation
- Completed mn.gov/boards/nursing application + $105 fee
- Criminal background check
Processing Timeline
Minnesota Board of Nursing processes APRN applications in 6–10 weeks from complete submission. Temporary authorization to practice is available in some circumstances — contact the Board when a specific start date requires expedited processing.
CRNA Salary in Minnesota (2026)
| Market | Avg CRNA Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis / St. Paul | $200,000–$228,000 | M Health Fairview, Allina Health, HealthPartners; both ACT and independent |
| Rochester (Mayo Clinic) | $205,000–$235,000 | Mayo Clinic dominates; ACT model; research-affiliated comp; benefits premium |
| Duluth | $195,000–$220,000 | Essentia Health, St. Luke's; Lake Superior regional hub |
| St. Cloud / Central MN | $193,000–$218,000 | CentraCare; mid-state regional health system |
| Greater MN / Rural | $198,000–$228,000 | Sanford, Essentia, Mayo Clinic Health System rural sites; CRNA-only; bonuses |
Top Employers in Minnesota
- Mayo Clinic — Rochester (and regional MN sites); dominant academic anesthesia employer; ACT model with strong CRNA program
- M Health Fairview — Minneapolis + University of Minnesota; academic ACT model with CRNA leadership tracks
- Allina Health — Twin Cities region; community and acute care mix; CRNA-focused model at most sites
- HealthPartners — Minneapolis + St. Paul; integrated care system; mix of ACT and CRNA-independent
- Essentia Health — Duluth + northern MN; CRNA-independent model; strong rural CRNA demand
- Sanford Health — Southern MN + Dakotas; CRNA-only at most rural and regional facilities
What We See at Ava Health
Minnesota is a stable, high-quality CRNA market. Mayo Clinic Rochester is a destination employer for CRNAs who value academic medicine and research affiliation. The Twin Cities offer strong compensation with better cost-of-living ratios than coastal markets. Rural Greater Minnesota — particularly the Iron Range, central lakes, and southwestern border counties — has persistent CRNA shortages that drive competitive recruitment packages from Sanford, Essentia, and Mayo Clinic Health System rural sites.
Related: CRNA Salary by State 2026, NP License Minnesota 2026, CRNA License North Dakota 2026.
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