PROFESSIONAL LICENSE PORTABILITY FOR SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR SPOUSES
On December 23, 2024, Congress made significant changes to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act - Public Law 118-159 (SCRA) (50 USC 4025a) that allows servicemembers and their spouses to have their professional licenses and certificates recognized in different jurisdictions when they must relocate due to military orders.
The Maryland State Board of Long-Term Care Administrators (the “Board”) is dedicated to supporting the important service of military families and ensuring a seamless professional transition for those relocating to our state.
To fulfill this commitment, Maryland has enacted the Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act, which aligns state law with federal provisions to eliminate "license lag". Effective October 1, 2026, this law allows eligible active-duty service members and their spouses to practice in Maryland under an applicable professional license issued by another jurisdiction for the duration of their military orders. While individuals recognized under these provisions must comply with Maryland standards of practice and professional conduct, the Board is actively streamlining its processes to facilitate this federal support and ensure skilled professionals face no unnecessary hurdles in continuing their careers as Nursing Home Administrators or Assisted Living Managers.
Professional license portability is not a permanent Maryland Nursing Home Administrator or Assisted Living Manager license. It applies only while the individual remains eligible under federal law. Individuals seeking permanent Maryland licensure must apply through the Board's regular licensure process.
CRITERIA FOR QUALIFYING
For a license to be considered valid in a new location, a servicemember or their spouse may qualify if the following criteria are met:
1) Have a covered license, which means a professional license that, with respect to a scope of practice:
a) Is in good standing with the licensing authority that issued such license;
b) Has not been revoked or had discipline imposed by any State;
c) Does not have an investigation relating to unprofessional conduct pending in any State relating to it; and
d) Has not been voluntarily surrendered while under investigation for unprofessional conduct in any State.
2) Move to another State due to military orders; and
3) Applied for a license in the State where you moved.
LIST OF REQUIREMENTS
Submission of the Board approved application
Copy of military orders indicating military service in Maryland (or if application is for a spouse, provide the sponsor’s military orders indicating the spouse’s name, or in cases where military orders do not have the spouse’s name listed, provide a copy of the marriage certificate with the military orders).
Certified Letter or Signed License Verification Form with the State Seal affixed from each state in which you hold a nursing home administrator or assisted living manager license, verifying that the license is in good standing.
Passport size and type photograph - Photos taken with a smartphone are acceptable taken against a solid white or light-colored background.
Documentation of legal name change (i.e., marriage certificate, divorce decree, legal name change).
Obtain State and FBI background checks and using the Board’s Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) and Authorization numbers. More detailed information is available on the Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) page on our website at: CHRC
A signed "Privacy Act Statement and Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights" form, which is located on the CHRC page of our website.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION, REVIEW, AND PROCESSING TIME
The application along with all required documents must be submitted to the Board via email at: [email protected]
A member of the licensing team will review the application for completeness and compliance with the list of requirements. If there are any questions, the team member will contact the applicant.
The Board is committed to processing applications within 10 business days of receiving all required documents, including receipt of the electronic transmission of both the State and FBI background checks from Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS). The board cannot accept background reports submitted by the applicant or from another agency.
Upon approval, the Board will issue a "Recognition to Practice" approval letter to the license portability (servicemember or spouse) applicant that should serve as official confirmation to an employer that you may practice as a Nursing Home Administrator or Assisted Living Manager in Maryland.
