Board of Nursing
Wes Moore, Governor · Aruna Miller, Lt. Governor · Laura Herrera Scott, M.D., M.P.H., Secretary
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
About RN/LPN Licensure and APRN Certification
General Licensure Questions
1. How do I change my
address or name on my
license?
You may submit name and address changes to the Board by
completing the name or address change form. Click on the info tab
at the top of the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) homepage.
The forms are located under "Board Services and Links.” Complete
and submit the appropriate form, along with any required supporting
documentation, to [email protected].
2. When should I change
my address or name?
The Nurse Practice Act requires licensees to notify the Board in
writing of any change in the name or address of the licensee within
60 days after the change occurred. See Md. Code Ann., Health Occ.
§ 8-312(e).
3. Do I need to notify the
Board if my email
address changes?
Yes. The Board sends renewal notices and other important
information to licensees via email, so it is important that you ensure
that the Board has your current email address.
4. How do I check the
status of my RN or LPN
license?
You may check the status of your license by using the “Look Up a
License” feature on the Board’s website. Click on the following link:
Look Up a License. To search for your license information, please
follow these steps:
a) For "Profession,” select “nursing” from the dropdown menu;
b) For “License Type," select your license type from the dropdown
menu;
c) Enter your last name and first name.
Note: The “License Number” field may be left blank.
5. Can I get a paper copy
of my license?
The Board no longer issues paper licenses. You can print your
license information from the MBON website free of charge directly
from the Look Up a License page.
6. What are the fees for
licensure in Maryland?
You may access the MBON fee schedule by clicking the info tab on
the top of the MBON homepage. The link to the current fee schedule
is located under “Board Services and Links.” You may also access
the fee schedule by clicking on the following link:
https://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/services-fees.aspx
Note: All fees submitted to the Board are nonrefundable. COMAR
10.27.01.02A.
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7. Can I request that my
license application be
expedited?
No. The Board processes applications in the order in which they are
received and will issue a license as soon as the Board confirms that
all of the qualifications for licensure are met.
8. Is Maryland part of the
Nurse Licensure
Compact? Where can I
get more information
about obtaining a
multistate RN or LPN
license?
Yes, Maryland is a party state to the Nurse Licensure Compact. Visit
the following link for more information and resources for the
Compact: https://www.ncsbn.org/compacts/nurse-licensure-
compact/nlc-toolkit/nlc-fact-sheets.page
At this time, Maryland is not a party state to the APRN Compact.
9. Do I need a social
security number to
apply for licensure?
Yes. The Board is required by federal and Maryland laws to collect
social security numbers from applicants. See 42 U.S.C.A. § 1320a-
7e(b); Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 10-119.3; Md. Code. Ann.,
Health Occ. § 1-210. Disclosure of your social security number is
mandatory in order to process your application.
10. How do I request that a
verification of my
Maryland RN or LPN
license be sent to
another state?
Submit the completed verification request form to MBON in person
or by mail along with $25 payment. You must submit a separate
request form and payment for each verification. You will need to
provide the email address for the requesting board/s with each
request.
11. May I bring my official
sealed transcript in to
the Board office?
No, your official transcripts must be submitted to the Board via a
digital credentialing service only. The Board no longer accepts
transcripts via mail or in person. The Board will not accept
transcripts that are mailed or emailed from your nursing program.
12. I employ an RN or LPN
who attended a nursing
program identified on
the FBI’s list of
fraudulent schools.
What do I do?
The Board cannot provide any legal advice or opinion to employers
regarding their employees. Information regarding Operation
Nightingale may be found on the Board’s website by clicking the
Operation Nightingale link on the Board’s homepage. The Board
will update the information as it becomes available.
RN/LPN Licensure by Endorsement
13. I am licensed in another
state or country and
would like to endorse
my license into
Maryland. What are
the qualifications for
endorsement in
Maryland?
The minimum qualifications for licensure by endorsement are set
forth in the Maryland Nurse Practice Act and its accompanying
regulations. Specifically, please review Health Occ. §§ 8-307 and
8-302, and COMAR 10.27.01.10.
14. What steps do I need to
take to apply for
licensure for
endorsement?
You need to:
Review the list of approved and not-approved out-of-state
nursing programs by clicking on the education tab on the top of
the Board’s homepage. The lists are located under “Nursing
Education Programs.”
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If your program is on the list of approved out-of-state
programs, you meet the minimum educational qualification
for licensure by endorsement, and you can proceed with the
endorsement application process.
If your program is on the list of not approved out-of-state
programs, then you do not meet the minimum educational
qualification for licensure by endorsement, and you should
not proceed with the endorsement application process.
If your program is not on either list, you must download the
Out-of-State Nursing Prelicensure Program Substantial
Equivalency Assessment tool under “Nursing Education
Programs” and send it to your nursing program’s Dean or
Director, who should complete the assessment and submit it
to MBON for evaluation.
Have your final official transcripts sent to the Board via a
digital credentialing service only to
If you completed your basic nursing education outside of the
United States, have your transcripts evaluated by the
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
(CGFNS). Contact CGFNS at www.cgfns.org to request a
Credentials Evaluation Service (CES).
Applicants who are unable to prove written and oral
competency in the English language in accordance with
Health Occupation Article, §8-302(e)(2) or (4), Annotated
Code of Maryland, shall submit evidence of proficiency in
listening, reading, speaking, and writing the English
language by obtaining a minimum passing score on one of
the following Board-approved English language competency
examinations:
o Test of English as a Foreign Language
Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) with
minimum passing scores of:
1. Listening — 22;
2. Reading — 22;
3. Speaking — 26; and
4. Writing — 24; or
o International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) with minimum passing
scores of:
1. Listening — 6;
2. Reading — 6;
3. Speaking — 7;
4. Writing — 6; and
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5. Overall score of at least 6.5.
See: COMAR 10.27.01.05
Request verification of licensure from your original state or
country of licensure;
Get fingerprinted for a Criminal History Records Check
(CHRC); and
Complete and submit the online application for licensure by
endorsement.
Access full endorsement instructions and the online application here:
Licensure by Endorsement
15. Why does my out-of-
state nursing
program have to be
approved by the
Board?
To be eligible for an RN or LPN license in Maryland, an applicant
must have completed either: (1) an RN or LPN education program
in Maryland that is approved by the Board; or (2) an RN or LPN
education program in another state or country that the Board finds
“substantially equivalent” to education programs in Maryland at the
time of the applicant’s graduation. Accordingly, the Board must
review out-of-state nursing education programs to determine
whether they are substantially equivalent to Maryland programs.
See: Md. Code Ann, Health Occ. §8-302
§ 8–302. License Qualifications. The term “substantially
equivalent” is defined in the Board’s regulations under COMAR
10.27.01.01.
16. My out-of-state
nursing program is
not on the approved
list. How long does
the out-of-state
nursing program
approval process
take?
It depends on how long it takes for the Dean or Director of your
nursing program to submit the completed assessment document with
the required accompanying documentation to the Board.
Additionally, the Board will evaluate programs in the order in which
the completed documents are received.
17. What should I do if
my nursing program
is closed?
You will need to provide the following to the Board:
The name of the college/university and nursing program that you
attended;
The name of the state authorized department, or agency within
the state where you attended the program, that was designated to
maintain records for your nursing education program;
Your full name at the time you attended the program;
The date you graduated from the program;
A copy of the nursing student handbook or college/university
catalog for the year(s) you attended the nursing education
program; and
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Any other information regarding the curriculum plan for the
nursing education program that you may have in your
possession.
Send this information to mdbon.nbexam@maryland.gov OR you
may mail the information to:
ATTN: Examination Department, at the following address: 4140
Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215. Please be mindful of mail
delays should you choose to use the US Postal service to send
information to MBON
18. I completed a
nursing education
program outside of
the United States.
When should I
submit my request
for a Credentials
Evaluation Service
(CES) to CGFNS?
How long does it
take?
You should submit your request to CGFNS when you apply for
licensure in Maryland. Contact CGNFS about processing times at
www.cgfns.org.
19. My license in my
prior state is
expired. Am I still
eligible for licensure
in MD?
No. You must have an active, unencumbered license in order to be
eligible for licensure by endorsement.
20. What is the
processing time for
endorsement
applications? Can
my application be
expedited?
Due to the time necessary to review and verify all minimal
qualifications for licensure, the current processing time is 4 - 6
weeks from the time you submit a complete application, including
all required documentation The processing time for RN and LPN
licensure by endorsement is longer than an application for licensure
by examination due to the extensive review process including but
not limited to the out-of-state program approval process and
verification of your current license in another state. See FAQ 12.
Due to this extended processing timeframe, if you do not hold a
multistate license under the Nurse Licensure Compact, you may
consider applying for a temporary license. See FAQ 19.
21. What is required to
obtain a temporary
license?
You may apply for a temporary license at the same time that you
apply for licensure by endorsement in Maryland. You may apply for
a temporary license by checking the option for a temporary license
on the endorsement application.
After your application is submitted, a member of the Board’s staff
will verify that you possess an active, unencumbered license in
another state and that you have been fingerprinted for a criminal
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history records check. If you meet those requirements, the Board will
issue a temporary license to you within 3 – 5 business days.
Applicants who hold a multistate license, but are moving to
Maryland and applying for endorsement, should not apply for a
temporary license, because the multistate licensure privilege to
practice permits the applicant to practice in Maryland while the
endorsement application is pending.
22. I am planning to
move to Maryland
but want to begin
the endorsement
process first. How
do I get my
fingerprints done?
Contact the Endorsement Department at mdbon.nets@maryland.gov
to request that a fingerprint packet be mailed to you.
RN/LPN Licensure by Examination (NCLEX)
23. What are the
minimum
qualifications for
licensure by
examination in
Maryland?
The minimum qualifications for licensure by examination are set
forth in the Maryland Nurse Practice Act and its accompanying
regulations. Specifically, please review Health Occ. § 8-302 and
COMAR 10.27.01.05 and 10.27.01.06.
24. I am a new nursing
graduate from a
nursing program in
Maryland. What is
the process for
obtaining my
Maryland license by
examination?
You must:
Be fingerprinted for a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC);
Complete the online application for licensure by examination
within two (2) days of being fingerprinted;
Note: The photo you upload with your application must be
approved by your program Dean or Director. Please ensure
that you enter the correct email address for the program
Dean or Director in your application.
Your name must be on the list of approved students from your
nursing program
Register with Pearson VUE.
After all requirements for MBON and Pearson Vue are met, the
Board will issue your Authorization to Test (ATT).
Information regarding licensure by examination may be found here:
Licensure by Exam (NCLEX)
25. I am a new nursing
graduate from an
out-of-state nursing
program. What is
the process for
obtaining my
In addition to the steps listed in FAQ #22, you must also do the
following:
Before submitting an application, you need to review the list of
approved out-of-state programs by clicking on the education tab
on the top of the MBON homepage. The lists are located under
“Nursing Education Programs.”
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Maryland license by
examination?
If your program is on the list of approved out-of-state
programs, you can proceed with the application process.
If your program is on the list of not approved out-of-state
programs, then you do not meet the minimum educational
qualification for licensure by examination, and you should
not proceed with the application process.
If your program is not on either list, you must download the
program assessment tool under “Nursing Education
Programs” and send it to your nursing program’s Dean or
Director who should complete the assessment and submit it
to MBON for evaluation.
Have your final official transcript sent to the Board via a digital
credentialing service only to mdbon.nbexam@maryland.gov.
(This requirement is instead of your name being on a nursing
education program’s list of approved students, which is for
Maryland nursing education programs, as listed in FAQ 22)
If you completed your basic nursing education outside of the
United States, have your transcripts evaluated by the
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
(CGFNS).
Contact CGFNS at www.cgfns.org to request a
Credentials Evaluation Service (CES).
26. What happens if my
nursing program is
closed?
See FAQ 15.
27. What is the
processing time for
licensure by
examination?
The current processing time for issuance of an Authorization to
Test (ATT) is 3 - 5 business days of receiving all information on
the completed application and after meeting all testing
requirements for MBON and Pearson Vue. The current processing
time for issuance of your license is 3 – 5 business days after
the Board receives notification that you passed the NCLEX,
provided all other licensure requirements are met.
28. Can I call MBON to
get my NCLEX
results?
Pass-fail information is not given over the phone. You will receive
the printout of your result in 7 – 14 business days after taking the
NCLEX from the Board’s Education and Examination Department.
29. Why have I not
received my NCLEX
results in the mail?
There may be several reasons why NCLEX results are not received.
For example, the address on file with the Board is inaccurate, or you
may have moved and did not complete MBON’s change of address
form. Once you complete and submit the change of address form,
the Board will re-send the information to your correct mailing
address.
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Criminal History Record Check (CHRC)
30. When is a CHRC
required?
You must submit to a CHRC when you:
Apply for an initial license or certification;
Are notified by the Board in advance of renewal that you are
part of the annually selected renewal applicants who must
completed a CHRC (every 12 years);
Apply for reinstatement/renewal of your license when your
license has been non-renewed for a year or more; and
When changing from inactive to active status.
31. How do I get my
fingerprints done?
Information can be accessed here: Criminal History Record
Check
32. When should I get
my fingerprints
done? Can I get my
fingerprints done
now and send them
in early?
You should complete and submit your application to the Board
within two days of being fingerprinted. When MBON receives
your CHRC report, the Background Review Department must have
an application on file to attach the report to. CJIS provides the
Board with time-limited access to the applicant’s criminal history
records report for a maximum of 90 days. If an applicant completes
the criminal history records check too far in advance of submitting
a completed application, it may cause unnecessary delays if the
criminal history records report has expired.
33. How do I
demonstrate that I
completed the
CHRC?
You must provide the tracking number from your fingerprinting
receipt on your license application.
34. What happens if I
do not get
fingerprinted for a
CHRC?
Your application will not be processed.
35. How much does it
cost to get
fingerprinted?
For the current fee schedule, visit
https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/fingerprint.shtml.
36. I was recently
fingerprinted by
another agency. Do I
still need to be
fingerprinted for the
Board of Nursing?
Yes.
37. I have a criminal
history. What
should I do?
You should disclose your criminal history on your application and
submit the required documentation to the Background Review
Department at [email protected]
Required documentation includes:
A detailed letter of explanation, including the circumstances
surrounding the crime, the date of your conviction or plea, the
crime of which you were convicted or to which you pled guilty,
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your sentence, if and when you completed your sentence, and
any other information you would like the Board to consider,
such as subsequent work history, what you have learned, etc.;
AND
Court certified or true-test copies of court documents regarding
the facts and circumstances of the crime, your plea(s) or the
disposition of your charge(s), the sentence imposed, and
current status of your sentence (i.e., all fines paid in full,
completion letter from Parole/Probation Officer, etc.), or a
letter/form from the court indicating that no records are
available. Examples of court documents that show facts and
circumstances surrounding the crime include a statement of
probable cause/application for statement of charges, arrest
affidavit, or plea agreement.
Advanced Practice Certification
38. What are the
minimum
qualifications to
obtain and maintain
licensure as an
APRN?
The general minimum qualifications for all types of APRN
certifications are set forth in Health Occ. § 8-302.1. Each APRN
certification also has its own minimum qualifications for
certification, which you can review by accessing the following links:
COMAR 10.27.07.02 (CRNP), COMAR 10.27.06.02 (CRNA),
COMAR 10.27.05.02 (CNM), and COMAR 10.27.27.02 (CNS).
Generally, you must maintain a current and active RN license and
submit verification of current national certification for the APRN
designation for which you’ve applied. You must maintain an active
RN license and an active national certification at all times while you
are certified as an APRN.
39. I am a new APRN
graduate. How do I
apply for an APRN
certification?
Download and complete the appropriate APRN application based on
your education and training (i.e., certified registered nurse
practitioner (CRNP), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA),
certified nurse midwife (CNM), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS)).
Mail or bring your completed application to the MBON office, along
with the appropriate fee.
Have your final transcripts verifying completion of your APRN
training program sent to the Board via a digital credentialing service
only.
Access the application and instructions for APRN licensure here:
Advanced Practice Registered Nursing
40. I hold more than one
APRN degree and
national
certification. Do I
complete one
application?
No. You must complete a separate APRN application for each
APRN certification you wish to obtain (e.g., CRNP, CRNA, CNM,
or CNS), along with the appropriate fee for each application. You
must provide documentation of current national certification for
each APRN application submitted.
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41. I am licensed as an
RN and APRN in
another State. How
do I endorse into
Maryland?
Complete the process for licensure by endorsement for your RN
license and complete the appropriate paper application for an initial
APRN certification. Your APRN certification will not be issued
until your RN license is issued and all requirements for APRN
certification are met.
If you hold an active multistate RN license under the Nurse
Licensure Compact, and you are not declaring Maryland as your
primary state of residence, then you should not apply for
endorsement of your RN license. You only need to complete and
submit a paper application for initial APRN certification.
42. Is there a temporary
certificate/license for
APRNs?
No.
43. What is the current
processing time for
an initial APRN
certification?
10 – 15 weeks upon receipt of a complete application, along with
the appropriate fee.
44. Will my APRN
certification be
renewed
automatically when
I renew my RN
license?
No. You must apply for renewal of your APRN certification and
submit the applicable fee. You must also provide documentation
that your national APRN certification is current before the Board
may renew your APRN certification.
45. What is the current
processing time for
my online APRN
renewal?
7 – 10 business days from receipt of a complete renewal application.
RN/LPN License Renewal
46. What are the
minimum
qualifications for
renewal of my
RN/LPN license?
The minimum qualifications for renewal are set forth in the
Maryland Nurse Practice Act and its accompanying regulations.
Specifically, please review Health Occ. § 8-312 and COMAR
10.27.01.13.
47. Why didn’t I receive
a renewal notice in
the mail?
MBON no longer sends renewal notices in the mail. MBON now
sends renewal notices via email to your email address on file.
Renewal notices are sent 90 days before your license expiration date.
Licensees should notify the Board when their email address changes.
48. How long does it
take to process my
license renewal
application?
Typically, it takes approximately 48–72 hours to process online
renewal applications once submitted, except under certain
circumstances such as a tax hold, child support arrearage, or
answered yes to a discipline. It takes approximately 7–10 business
days to process paper applications once the board receives a
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Last Updated: 08/09/2024
completed paper application and renewal staff verifies that all
minimum requirements for renewal are met.
49. I completed my
renewal application
online. Why is my
license not renewed?
The Board may not have renewed your license because:
You have a tax hold. Contact the Office of the Comptroller to
arrange payment. Notice of tax hold release will only be accepted
from the Office of the Comptroller.
You are scheduled to have a Criminal History Record Check, but
you did not complete it.
You failed to meet one or more of the other minimum
qualifications for renewal in accordance with COMAR
10.27.01.13.
Please note that if your answer to a disciplinary question on the
renewal application is “yes”, or if you are renewing/reinstating
your license more than 365 days past your expiration date, you
are required to submit a paper renewal application to the Board.
The Board will process your paper renewal application as
quickly as possible in the order in which it is received.
(Approximately 14 - 21 business days).
50. My license has been
non-renewed for a
year or more. What
is the process for
renewal?
In addition to meeting all minimum qualifications to renew your
license, you must also complete the following steps:
Submit to a criminal history records check. Access instructions
here: Criminal History Record Check
Complete a paper renewal application in person or request that a
paper renewal application be mailed to you by contacting the
Renewal Department. See FAQ 47.
Complete the supplemental renewal form included with the
application, providing the name(s) of your employer(s) and dates
of employment while your license was active. Please note that
working on a non-renewed license is a violation of the Nurse
Practice Act and you could be subject to disciplinary action.
Return the completed application with the applicable renewal fee
to MBON in person or by mail
