Moving between states / Michigan
Arkansasto
Michigan, CNAMoving from Arkansas to Michigan as a certified nursing assistant
What a certified nursing assistant licensed in Arkansas has to do to work in Michigan, what the move does to your pay, and who in Michigan is hiring from out of state.
Transfers by reciprocity. Your Arkansas certificate stays on the Arkansas Office of Long Term Care, Nurse Aide Registry; to work in Michigan you apply to the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry (administered by Prometric for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) for reciprocity. It accepts an active certificate in good standing from another state; there is no retest if your record is clean. Most registries list you within two to six weeks.
What the move does to your paycheck
On a $60,000 salary Michigan takes roughly $912 a year more than Arkansas does.
| Salary | Arkansas state tax | Michigan state tax | Difference a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,092 | $1,700 | -$608 |
| $60,000 | $1,638 | $2,550 | -$912 |
| $90,000 | $2,457 | $3,825 | -$1,368 |
Rough figures for a single filer: exact in the flat-rate and no-tax states, approximated at 70% of the top bracket in the progressive ones. In Michigan: Detroit and some cities add a local income tax. Property and sales tax are not in it.
RN and LPN: Arkansas to Michigan
Endorsement needed. Michigan is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so your Arkansas multistate licence does not work there. Apply to the Michigan Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement before you move; it commonly takes six to twelve weeks. Your Arkansas licence stays valid for compact states.
Electrician: Arkansas to Michigan
Exam required. Michigan licenses electricians through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Electrical Administrative Board and does not reciprocate with any state. Your Arkansas hours count toward eligibility, so get them certified in writing by the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Electrical Section before you move and book the Michigan exam early.
CDL: Arkansas to Michigan
Transfers at the DMV. A commercial driver's licence transfers like any licence: within 30 days of becoming a Michigan resident you surrender the Arkansas CDL at a Michigan driver licence office, pass the vision test, pay the fee, and your endorsements carry over. A hazmat endorsement needs a fresh TSA threat assessment in Michigan. Your driving record follows you through the federal CDLIS system.
Does Michigan pay you to come?
No statewide program in Michigan pays people to move in. Towns sometimes list an offer through MakeMyMove, and employers in short-staffed trades pay relocation themselves; ask for it in writing before you accept.
Going the other way? Arkansas has Life Works Here (Northwest Arkansas). See moving from Michigan to Arkansas.
Openings filed in Michigan
58 open positions filed with the Department of Labor by Michigan employers who could not fill them locally.
- Animal BreedersRooker Training Stable, Inc. · Fenton · $22.5/hr
- Farmworker/LaborerDiaz Agricultural Services, LLC. · Kent City · $16.37/hr
- Field Service Technician IBAXTER · Warren
- Farmworkers and Laborers, CropLegacy Labor, Inc. · Portage · $13.73/hr
- Farmworkers and Laborers, CropLegacy Labor, Inc. · Portage · $13.73/hr
- Equipment Operator/Farm LaborerNickle Plate Dairy · Portland · $16.28/hr
Your own route from Arkansas to Michigan
Tell us your trade and your licence. We write the steps for your case, check the job offer for scams, and keep your resume ready for Michigan employers.
Plan my move to MichiganSame move, by trade
RN or LPN: Arkansas to Michigan · Electrician: Arkansas to Michigan · Truck driver: Arkansas to Michigan · All licences: Arkansas to Michigan
From Arkansas to the states next to Michigan
Ohio (progressive, top rate 3.5%) · Indiana (flat 3% state income tax) · Wisconsin (progressive, top rate 7.65%)
To Michigan from the states next to Arkansas
Missouri · Tennessee · Mississippi · Louisiana · Texas · Oklahoma
Everything about working in Michigan · All moves between states · All 50 states