Maryland Nursing License Requirements: RN, LPN

Overview

The mission of the Board of Nursing is to advance safe quality care in Maryland through licensure, certification, education and accountability for public protection.

The Board of Nursing functions under the Maryland Nurse Practice Act, Health Occupations Article, Section 8. It has authority to adopt regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the law. The Board is mandated to regulate the practice of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, nursing assistants, medication technicians, and electrologists.

Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure by Examination

Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:

 

  • Register with the testing agency before or just after submitting the licensure application to take the licensure test, NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination). You may use any of the following ways to complete the registration:
    • Register online. The registration fee of $200 can be paid via American Express, Visa, or MasterCard. OR
    • By mail: You may request the Board of Nursing office to send an NCLEX registration form. Provide essential details in the form and include an appropriate fee of $200.00 in the form of a money order or cashier’s check made payable to the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing). Mail it to the following address:

NCLEX Operations
Post Office Box 64950
St. Paul, Minnesota- 55164-0950

  • When all your essential documents are approved, the Board will inform the testing agency, Pearson VUE, making you eligible to take the licensure exam.
  • Pearson VUE will send you an ATT (Authorization to Test) via email or on the address provided by you during the registration process.

 

Foreign Educated Nurses Must Also:

  • Complete on-line application and fee to CGFNS
  • Complete and mail Request for Academic Records to your school of nursing.
  • Complete and mail Request for Validation of Registration to your licensing agency

Note: When the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools receive all three required applications, they will complete the report and mail it to the Maryland Board of Nursing.

  • Take an oral English test. Take either the ILA OPI, TOEFL iBT, or the IELTS.
  • A score of 3 is passing on the ILA OPI.
  • A score of 26 is passing on the TOEFL iBT.
  • The Board accepts the IELTS if administered on October 01, 2005, or later. A score of 7 on speaking, 6 on all other modules, and 6.5 overall is passing on the IELTS

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Examination

Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Complete satisfactorily and meet all requirements for a diploma from:
    • A practical nursing education program approved by the Board; or
    • A practical nursing education program in any other state that the Board finds substantially equivalent to the program in this State; or
    • A registered nursing education program approved by the Board or that the Board finds substantially equivalent to the registered nurse program in this state.
  • Request and submit Maryland Board of Nursing Licensure application.
  • Complete Criminal History Record Check.
  • Submit Declaration of Primary State of Residence.
  • Register with the testing agency before or just after submitting the licensure application to take the licensure test, NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination). You may use any of the following ways to complete the registration:
    • Register online. The registration fee of $200 can be paid via American Express, Visa, or MasterCard. OR
    • By mail: You may request the Board of Nursing office to send an NCLEX registration form. Provide essential details in the form and include an appropriate fee of $200.00 in the form of a money order or cashier’s check made payable to the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing). Mail it to the following address:

NCLEX Operations
Post Office Box 64950
St. Paul, Minnesota- 55164-0950

  • When all your essential documents are approved, the Board will inform the testing agency, Pearson VUE, making you eligible to take the licensure exam.
  • Pearson VUE will send you an ATT (Authorization to Test) via email or on the address provided by you during the registration process.

Foreign Educated Nurses Must Also:

  • Complete on-line application and fee to CGFNS
  • Complete and mail Request for Academic Records to your school of nursing.
  • Complete and mail Request for Validation of Registration to your licensing agency

Note: When the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools receive all three required applications, they will complete the report and mail it to the Maryland Board of Nursing.

  • Take an oral English test. Take either the ILA OPI, TOEFL iBT, or the IELTS.
  • A score of 3 is passing on the ILA OPI.
  • A score of 26 is passing on the TOEFL iBT.
  • The Board accepts the IELTS if administered on October 01, 2005, or later. A score of 7 on speaking, 6 on all other modules, and 6.5 overall is passing on the IELTS

Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Endorsement

Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:

  • Complete a Background Check.

Note: If you DO NOT currently reside in Maryland, please send an e-mail to mdbon.nets@maryland.gov with your name and current mailing address to receive the required Background Check forms prior to applying on-line. Maryland residents ONLY may use this form to complete the Background Check.

  • Apply for an RN/LPN Endorsement online.
  • A $100.00 charge is required if you apply for an Endorsement license, a $40.00 charge is required if you apply for a Temporary license.

Note: All fees are nonrefundable.

For more information visit the official Maryland Board of Nursing website.

References:

http://www.mbon.org/main.php?v=norm&p=0&c=licensure/index.html

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