Licensure by Endorsement

RN/LPN Licensure by Endorsement Process

Attention Applicants:

If you EVER held a Maryland license and it is currently listed as Inactive, Non-Renewed, or Invalid, you must request a renewal packet from mbon.nurselicenserenewal@maryland.gov.

If you are requesting licensure as an Advance Practice provider and hold an active compact/multistate license, you only need to apply at:

Nurse Psychotherapist

If you have a non- compact active license in another state but never held a Maryland license, you must complete one of the above advance practice applications in addition to the endorsement process listed below.
If you hold an ACTIVE RN license in another state, hold an Advanced Practice
certification and ARE moving to Maryland, you must complete one of the above
Advanced Practice applications AND complete the RN Endorsement application
below.

Important Information for Veterans

ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE

In order to be endorsed in the state of Maryland, all applicants must have obtained licensure by NCLEX exam and follow the steps below:

Step 1 – Education Program

Verify Nursing Education is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing

Click to view the Approved Schools/Programs
If your school/program is not on the approved list, please forward the assessment tool below to your program Dean/Director to be completed. Assessment Tool Link

Step 2 - Transcript

The Maryland Board of Nursing requires written, verified evidence of completion of the appropriate education requirements in accordance with Md. Code Ann., Health Occupations Article, §8-302 (b) and (c). Complete official transcripts from all Nursing Schools/Programs will need to be emailed to the Maryland Board of Nursing Endorsement Unit. This includes all school/Programs including credits transferred used to obtain a nursing degree. The Board will only accept official transcripts emailed directly from a digital credentialing service.

Please have all official transcripts emailed to mdbon.netstranscripts@maryland.gov.

Step 3 – Background Check/Fingerprinting

In Maryland

Download the Live Scan Background/fingerprinting form.
Include Agency Authorization# 9300000850 and ORI# (if required): MD920480Z
Complete and take to any fingerprinting facility in Maryland
Submit your application within 48 hours of completing background/fingerprinting

Outside of Maryland

Request an “Out-of-State” fingerprinting card at Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)
Include Agency Authorization# 9300000850 and ORI# (if required): MD920480Z
Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)-located in Reisterstown Road Plaza
6776 Reisterstown Rd, Baltimore, Maryland 21215
Hours 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Phone 410-764-4501 https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/fingerprint.shtml

Step 4 - License verification

Using Nursys.com, your “original” state of licensure must be verified
Once registration is completed in nursys.com, your license verification is immediately available for verification

Step 5 – RN/LPN Endorsement Application

The Maryland Board of Nursing requires applicants for Temporary licenses to use a permanent Mailing Address when completing the application for licensure. This is especially important for licensees who are not going to reside in Maryland for an extended period of time.
If applying for endorsement and you have an active multistate license, you are not eligible for a temporary license. You are allowed to work in Maryland under your compact license until your permanent Maryland license is issued.
You will need:

A digital passport style photograph in PNG or JPG file format
The 12 digit tracking number from under the barcode on the fingerprint card or 12 digit tracking number on the Live Scan receipt
To submit your application within 48 hours of completing background/fingerprinting
Active license from another state
A Visa or Masters card credit or debit card

Permanent license fee - $230.00
Temporary 90-day license fee - $70.00

Apply by clicking the RN/LPN Endorsement Application link

If you do not hold a valid U.S. Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), you must complete a paper Endorsement application. Please click the links below.

No SSN or ITIN (Instructions)

No SSN or ITIN (Application)

Affidavit for Licensure

Step 6 - Foreign Educated Nurses Only

This section applies only to nurses whose basic nursing education was completed in another country. Nurses who have an advanced degree from a U.S. college or university on the Maryland Board of Nursing School approval list, are exempt from the English Proficiency Exam requirement upon proof of degree, i.e. official transcripts.
An evaluation of foreign education is required to complete an endorsement application (COMAR 10.27.01.09A (4). Transcripts must be evaluated by TruMerit (formerly- the Commission on Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).
Please contact TruMerit at trumerit.org to request a Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report.
You will need to complete an English Proficiency Exam.

Take either the TOEFL IBT, the IELTS or PTE. Have scores sent to the Maryland Board of Nursing
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

The Board accepts PTE if administered on June 25, 2024, or later

A score of 50 on speaking and all other modules, and 55 overall is passing on the PTE

Questions - email us at mdbon.nets@maryland.gov

Updated 07/10/2025