Maryland Board of Nursing Insights: Mastering Licensure and Certification 

At the heart of Maryland’s commitment to top-notch nursing and healthcare stands the Maryland Board of Nursing. This dedicated group’s mission? To champion the art and science of nursing, ensuring the residents of Maryland receive nothing but the safest, highest quality care. They do this through a careful blend of licensing, certification, education, and unwavering accountability.

Diving into the makeup of the Board, we find a diverse team of 14 members. This includes nine registered nurses bringing a wealth of experience from various nursing fields, one versatile nurse who could be an LPN, RN, or APRN, a pair of licensed practical nurses, and two voices from the community they serve.

The registered nurses among them are a mix of specialists: two are advanced practice nurses, others are educators and administrators, each bringing a master’s degree or higher in their respective fields. Whether it’s acute care or nursing in a community setting, these professionals represent the full spectrum of nursing expertise. The practical nurse members ensure the Board stays connected to the grassroots of nursing, especially in long-term care settings.

Board members serve four-year terms, with a slight twist for one of the consumer members who starts with a two-year term.

As the regulatory guardian of nursing in Maryland, the Board operates under the Maryland Nurse Practice Act. They’re empowered to adopt regulations, ensuring the law is not just followed but lived by nurses across the state. The Board oversees a wide range of professionals: from RNs to LPNs, and CNAs to midwives.

In 2023, the Board managed over 100,634 current licenses and 91,243 certified members. The year saw the issue of 7,474 new licenses and 13,985 new certifications, in addition to 45,787 renewed licenses and 33,412 certificate renewals.

The total number of registered nurses has increased by 11%, from 81,238 in 2019 to 89,832 in 2023. Even more striking is the 80% growth in APRNs, from 7,958 to 14,310. This significant rise demonstrates the growing need for specialist nursing skills and advanced practice positions in the Maryland healthcare system.

Between 2019 and 2023, the number of LPNs declined by 8%, from 11,617 to 10,713. The decline of active CNA certificate holders was far more dramatic, falling 36% from 89,459 in 2022 to 57,394 in 2023.

Board Of Nursing Maryland Contacts

Maryland Board Of Nurses Practice Laws & Regulations

A registered nurse (RN) in Maryland has received Board authorization to perform this critical healthcare duty. This indicates that the nurse satisfies all of the stringent criteria and is qualified to deliver high-quality nursing care. This role demands a deep well of specialized knowledge and skills:

• Nursing care teams management.
• Educating patients and their families about health management.
• Guidance and support through counseling.
• Overseeing the quality of nursing practices.
• Carrying out treatment plans, including managing medications and other therapies.
• Taking on independent nursing tasks and those delegated by doctors.
• Engaging in additional responsibilities as sanctioned by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

The Scope of Nurse Practitioners in Maryland

Nurse practitioners (NPs) in Maryland enjoy a wide scope of practice that empowers them to:

• Carry out all the responsibilities of registered nursing.
• Perform detailed physical assessments.
• Diagnose and manage a range of chronic stable conditions or acute short-term health issues.
• Order and interpret lab tests to guide patient care.
• Prescribe medications, following specific state regulations.
• Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Work with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
• Critical emergency care when needed.

This framework guarantees that nurses and nurse practitioners in Maryland play critical roles in the healthcare system, with the power and autonomy to make important contributions to patient health and welfare.

Maryland Board Of Nursing Licensure Eligibility Requirements 

In Maryland, the path to becoming a licensed nurse is paved with clear guidelines designed to uphold the highest standards of care while accommodating the diverse circumstances of nursing professionals. Before we dive into eligibility for different license types, let’s break down the exceptions.

• Out-of-State Nurses

Nurses holding an active license from another state or jurisdiction are allowed to offer their services for up to 30 days to visitors in Maryland for medical, educational, or personal reasons. This flexibility extends to nurses involved in the interstate transport of patients and those responding to emergency situations.

• Nursing Graduates

Nursing graduates from Maryland Board of Nursing-approved or equivalent out-of-state programs are allowed to practice under certain conditions until the soonest of 90 days post-graduation or receiving their initial NCLEX examination results. However, should they not pass the NCLEX on their first attempt, their ability to practice is immediately revoked.

After completing a staff development program and demonstrating competence, graduates gain additional responsibilities. They can transcribe medication orders, administer medications, and engage in patient assessments under established policies and guidelines. However, their practice remains within the boundaries set by their temporary status: they cannot work unsupervised, assume the title or duties of an RN or LPN, take on charge responsibilities, or perform initial patient assessments and other critical care tasks independently.

Nursing Board Of Maryland Application Process

The application process with the Maryland Board of Nursing underscores the commitment to patient safety and quality care that defines Maryland’s healthcare system. It’s important to note that an initial license won’t be issued less than 90 days from the application.

• Kickstart your application by filling out the Board’s official form.
• Undergo a background check that includes providing two sets of fingerprints for scrutiny by both the Central Repository and the FBI and covering all associated fees.
• Provide additional paperwork, especially if your background check unveils any criminal history. This includes official, certified court documents and a personal account detailing the context, outcome, and present status of any criminal records or any extra information the Board deems necessary.

You have a 12-month window to supply all missing details and documents as outlined above.

Let’s delve deeper into the exact requirements and process for examination, endorsement and temporary nursing licenses.

Maryland State Board Of Nursing Examination Requirements

Registered Nurse (RN) candidates must complete a registered nursing program recognized and approved by the Board. This could be within Maryland or elsewhere, provided the Board deems it equivalent to Maryland’s standards at the time of your graduation.

Future Maryland Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) need a high school diploma or its equivalent, plus a diploma from a Board-approved LPN program. Like RN candidates, if your education was outside Maryland, it needs to meet the Board’s criteria for equivalency.

Alternatively, meeting the RN educational prerequisites also qualifies you for LPN examination.

Applicants whose native language is not English must show proficiency. This involves achieving certain scores on standardized tests such as the TOEFL IBT or the IELTS.

International nursing graduates must submit transcripts for assessment to the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

Application steps:

• Make sure you meet all of the prerequisites given above.
• Fill out and submit the application to the NCSBN, along with any applicable fees.

Ensure that your medical school’s management or an authorized person signs the application and confirms your qualifications. Before you take the test, the signer must provide the Board with formal certification of your program completion.

If you do not take the exam after six months of completing your application, you have to apply again and pay all applicable costs.

Note that the Test Card remains valid for six months. If you do not take the exam within this time limit, you will have to re-register and repay the NCLEX testing fees.

Maryland State Board Of Nursing Licensure by Endorsement 

Nurses with licenses from other states, jurisdictions, or nations may practice in Maryland by obtaining a license by endorsement. The goal of this procedure is to maintain Maryland’s nursing care standards while allowing experienced nurses to move smoothly.

1. Verification and Documentation

You’ll need to provide verification directly from authoritative bodies, confirming:

• Accreditation of your nursing program at graduation.
• Education alignment with Maryland’s requirements at the graduation time.
• Successful completion of a Maryland-recognized licensing test, including exam information
• Proficient in English.
• Nurses trained abroad must get their transcripts confirmed by the CGFNS.

2. Active Practice or Refresher Requirements:

Provide confirmation of either 1,000 hours of nursing practice in the last five years or participation in a Board-approved refresher course or the preceptorship

If you cannot demonstrate the minimum 1,000 hours of current nursing practice or have not finished your refresher course, you can nevertheless apply for an inactive license, which gives you time to satisfy the active practice criteria.

The Maryland Board stresses the value of mentored clinical training in nursing education. If your program lacked this component, it might not meet Maryland’s standards. However, the Board offers waivers for:

• RN applicants with an active, unencumbered license and recent active practice if they graduated from an accredited program recognized by the Board.
• LPN applicants under similar conditions as RNs, ensuring they’ve actively practiced within the last year and graduated from an accredited program.
• Documentation for the 1,000 hours of active practice can be a detailed employer letter or pay stubs, providing comprehensive evidence of your professional engagement.

Maryland State Nursing Board Temporary Nursing License

Aspiring nurses or those relocating from other states have the option to apply for a temporary nursing license. This bridge allows practice while completing the required checks or while the full license is being processed.

1. Application Completion

Start by filling out the necessary application provided by the Maryland State Nursing Board.

2. Verification of Out-of-State License

If you’re already practicing as a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) elsewhere, you’ll need to show a current, active license from that state.

3. Fee Payment

You must provide a valid form of personal identification and pay the applicable fee associated with the temporary license application.

4. Criminal History Records Check

Submit proof that you’ve initiated a criminal history records check as mandated by the Health Occupations Article, §8-303, Annotated Code of Maryland.

A temporary license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. For those who need to meet specific practice requirements, the Board offers the possibility to extend your temporary license in 90-day increments. However, the total duration cannot exceed one year from the initial issuance date.

Maryland State Board Of Nursing CNA Certification Requirements

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are guided by a set of clear requirements set forth by the Maryland State Board of Nursing. These regulations ensure that CNAs are well-trained, ethical, and ready to provide high-quality care to patients.

Certification requirements for CNAs:

1. Education and Training

You must successfully complete a CNA program that either was approved by the Maryland Board or meets the Board’s standards if taken in another state or territory.

2. Age Requirement

Applicants must be at least 16 years old, setting a responsible age threshold for entering the field.

3. Clean Record

It’s essential that you haven’t engaged in any action that would be grounds for discipline or denial of certification in Maryland or any history of abusing, neglecting, or misappropriating client property, or any pending disciplinary actions in any state or territory.

For CNAs certified in other states looking to practice in Maryland, there’s a pathway too, provided you:

• Meet all Maryland’s certification prerequisites.
• Pay the necessary fees.
• Supply verification of good standing, appropriate training, and a clean professional record directly from your prior certifying authority.

In some cases, the Board may issue a temporary practice certificate to applicants who fulfill certification criteria, have no criminal background, and have not faced disciplinary action in Maryland or elsewhere. This temporary certificate is valid for 90 days but can be extended for another 90 days if you’re waiting on your criminal history record results.

An individual wishing to process with the Maryland Board of Nursing renewal must present adequate documentation of 16 hours of active, compensated employment as a nursing assistant during the two years immediately before the renewal date.

Board Of Nursing MD CCRN Certification Requirements

CCRN certification is offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), recognizes RNs and APRNs who provide direct care to acutely or critically ill patients or who influence patient care through their knowledge.

One of the pathways to obtain a CCRN certificate is Direct Care Pathway designed for nurses who are hands-on in treating critically ill patients across any setting. To obtain a certification through this way you must

• Hold a current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license.
• Fulfill one of the clinical practice hour requirements

Two-Year Option: Accumulate 1,750 hours of direct care to critically ill patients over the last two years, with at least 875 of those hours in the most recent year.

Five-Year Option: Gather a minimum of 2,000 hours of direct care experience over the last five years, with at least 144 hours in the past year.

Another option is the Knowledge Professional Pathway, catering to nurses who use their critical care knowledge to impact patient care indirectly. The requirements include a current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license and 1,040 practice hours in the last two years, with 260 of these hours in the most recent year. Eligible hours include those where your knowledge positively affected patient care, fellow nurses, or the healthcare organization.

Dive into the CCRN Exam Handbook for more information.

MD Board Of Nursing Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

Maryland’s participation in the NLC simplifies the process for nurses to practice in multiple states, ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance. Nurses applying for licensure in their home state must provide proof of their primary residence. Acceptable evidence includes a signed declaration by the licensee, supplemented by items like a driver’s license, voter registration card, federal income tax return, military documentation, or a W2 form indicating the state of residence.

Nurses holding a visa from another country can designate either their country of origin or their party state as their primary residence. If the country of origin is chosen, the nurse will receive a single-state license.

A license issued by a party state is valid for practice across all other party states, unless it’s specifically marked as valid only in the issuing state.

If a nurse faces a disciplinary order or agreement that restricts their practice or requires monitoring, the order will specify that the nurse must limit their practice to their home state while the order is active. With prior written approval from both the home state and any other state involved, a nurse may be allowed to practice outside their home state despite disciplinary restrictions.

MD State Board Of Nursing License Renewal

Maintaining your nursing license updated in Maryland is critical. The Maryland Board of Nursing license renewal is biennial. The renewal year is determined by whether you were born in an odd or even year. Odd birth years renew in odd years; even in even.

The board mails out a renewal notification no later than three months before the license expires, through postal mail or email, using the latest specified contact information.

The requirements for MD state board of nursing license renewal are:

• 1,000 hours of practice
• 30 continuing education units (CEUs) in the last 2 years.

You can also complete CEU requirements by taking nursing-related college or university courses, with 15 CEUs given every semester hour.

Not everyone needs a criminal history records check at each renewal. If it’s your turn, you’ll receive instructions along with your renewal notice. Another factor to consider, if you’re currently out of state but need to renew, the Board will send you a packet with all necessary documents and instructions.

Maryland State Nursing Board Continuing Education (CEU)

Only CEUs approved by recognized entities count towards your license renewal. These entities are expressly stated, and they include well-known organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Maryland Nurses Association (MNA).

Remember that it is your responsibility to verify that your CEU actions have been board-approved and to preserve records for six years following renewal. You cannot predict when the board may want an inspection, and you must be prepared to provide documentation within 30 days.

CEUs can be obtained from an array of reputable sources, which include but are not limited to:

• Regional, state, and national Area Health Education Centers (AHECs)
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• Professional organizations relevant to advanced practice nursing
• Educational programs from professional nursing associations
• The National League for Nursing

RNs and LPNs have to finish 1,000 hours of continuous nursing practice within 5 years, a Board-approved educational program within 5 years, or 30 CEUs within 2 years prior to renewal. RN-FNEs (Forensic Nurse Examiners) are obliged to complete 16 hours of forensic sciences or forensic nursing every two years. APRNs must remain current and produce confirmation of national certification.

APRNs who seek for or renew their registration with the Office of Controlled Substances Administration (OCSA) to dispense or administer controlled substances (CDS) must complete a two-hour one-time course on prescribing or dispensing controlled dangerous substances.

Note, that what you earn for this renewal period stays in this renewal period. You can’t roll over CEUs to the next.

If you fall short of achieving the CEU requirements at renewal time, enroll in a Board-approved refresher program or a Board-approved preceptorship course to get back on pace.

Maryland Nursing Board Complaints And Disciplinary Actions

Malpractice happens when healthcare personnel break from the accepted standards of care in their sector, resulting in patient injury. It is defined by four key elements:

• Duty: The professional owed a duty of care to the patient.
• Breach: This duty was breached through action or inaction.
• Injury: The patient suffered harm as a result.
• Causation: The breach directly triggered the harm.

For a malpractice lawsuit to succeed, these elements must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Board may modify disciplinary proceedings based on a variety of aggravating elements, such as past records of violations or the intentional nature of the misbehavior, as well as mitigating considerations, such as the lack of a prior misconduct record or signs of rehabilitation.

The Maryland Board of Nursing protects patient care and maintains the trust to the nursing workforce by regularly monitoring and responding to complaints and disciplinary proceedings. For example, the Maryland Nursing Board received 530 complaints between November 2022 and June 2023:

• Out of State (Reciprocal) Discipline: 18%
• Standards of Practice (Failure to Comply): 15%
• Abandonment/Neglect: 11%
• Diversion/Substance Abuse: 4%
• Abuse: 6%

With the actions, ranging from suspensions to revocations:

• Total Suspensions (not for child support): 92
• Suspensions (for non-payment of child support): 4
• Revocation: 13
• Reprimand: 11
• Probation: 7
• Denial of License or Certificate: 7
• Surrender of License for Violations: 34

Maryland Board Of Nursing License Lookup & Verification

Whether you’re a nurse, a healthcare employer, or simply verifying a nurse’s qualifications, navigating the Maryland Board of Nursing’s license lookup and verification procedures are simple.

Board of Nursing Maryland license lookup by license number

• First, select the profession that corresponds to your license or certification type.
• Type in your license or certification number without any spaces.
• Hit the ‘Search’ button, and your record should pop up.

Click on your name to see the specifics of your record.

Maryland Board of Nursing license verification by name

• Similarly, select the correct profession for your license or certification.
• Type in the last name, a comma, a space, the first name, and an asterisk (e.g., Doe, John*). The system doesn’t fuss about capitalization; any mix will do.
• Click ‘Search’ to retrieve your record. Then, click on your name to see the details.

The online verification tool provided by the state’s Board of Nursing is easy to use and accessible. Whether you’re reviewing your personal credentials or validating the ones of a potential recruit, the procedure is designed for simplicity and speed. Visit the Maryland Board of Nursing license lookup and verification tool at: Maryland Board of Nursing License Verification 

Maryland Board Of Nursing Useful Online Resources 

• Name Change Form
• Name Change Instructions and FAQS
• Address Change Form
• Address Change Instructions and FAQS
• Declaration of Primary State of Residence
• Maryland Board of Nursing License Verification 
• CCRN Exam Handbook