Maryland Board of Nursing Certification – Overview
The Maryland Board of Nursing supervises the state’s Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs).
According to a report by the Nursing Database, Maryland currently has more than 73,080 registered nurses and around 13,530 licensed practical nurses.
The Maryland Board of Nursing also supervises Certified Nursing Assistant licenses.
LPN License Requirement in Maryland
The educational requirement to become an LPN includes completing a state-approved practical nursing program. The aspiring LPN should enroll in a practical nursing program approved by the Maryland Board or a similar program with approval from another state’s licensure board.
The Maryland Board also allows graduates from registered nursing programs to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and get licenses to work as LPNs.
NCLEX-PN and Other Application Processes
Upon graduation, the student should apply to the Maryland Board of Nursing to sit for the NCLEX exam.
To request an application for NCLEX or resolve a query, contact the Maryland Board of Nursing directly through their official contact methods.
The licensing process has several steps. You will first need to have your fingerprints registered with the Board. The Board prefers candidates go to a police facility with electronic fingerprinting equipment.
To do this, make sure you follow the instructions precisely on the Board website at https://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/nursing-assistant-certification.aspx.
A postcard needs to be stamped during this process. This becomes evidence that you have completed the fingerprinting process.
Once the fingerprinting process is completed, you must meet the other requirements to become eligible to appear for the NCLEX exam.
The NCLEX exam fee is US$ 200, payable to Pearson VUE through the official Pearson VUE website.
LPN for Endorsement Candidates
You will require an email address to complete the endorsement application online. For this, keep a passport-size photo handy.
The Board website, https://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/licensure-by-endorsement.aspx, provides specific instructions for filling out this form and the tool required to crop your digital photo.
Out-of-state applicants may be eligible for a temporary license, subject to meeting the Maryland Board of Nursing’s requirements. Such candidates do not need to undergo fingerprinting if they follow the instructions correctly.
In such cases, the candidate will receive a purple-colored postcard from the local police station during the fingerprint check. This is evidence that the step has been completed.
Out-of-state applicants should submit their criminal background check results as per the Maryland Board of Nursing’s submission guidelines.
The application fee for a temporary or permanent license is $140; however, if a temporary license is not required, you will need to pay only US$ 100.
RN License Requirement in Maryland
You should enroll in an approved nursing training program to become a registered nurse. Conventionally, Maryland Board approves programs within its borders, just like other states.
There are several in-state programs at the ADN and BSN levels. Out-of-state programs are accepted as long as they are significantly equivalent. Candidates from non-equivalent out-of-state programs may need a preceptorship from https://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/licensing-index.aspx.
Nursing students in Maryland are not required to be certified as CNAs to fulfill their clinical program requirements. A background check is part of this process.
The licensure application is simple and can be handled by your medical school at https://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/licensure-by-endorsement.aspx.
LPNs in Maryland can pursue LPN to RN programs approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing; for a list of approved programs, refer to the Board’s official website.
You can choose to complete your LPN to RN program at the Chamberlain College of Nursing for an associate’s degree or Indiana State University for a baccalaureate-level degree.
Application for NCLEX-RN
Once you graduate as an RN, you must appear for and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. You must apply to the Board to take this exam. You can request an application at https://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/licensing-index.aspx.
All applicants for RN licensure in Maryland must undergo a background check as part of the licensure process, regardless of previous background checks.
You should make sure to read the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin. You also need to pay US$ 200 as a registration fee at https://www.nclex.com//.
Although these exams are scheduled continuously, you should take the exam within the time frame approved by the Authorization to Test.
The candidate’s graduate status allows them to work while the licensing process is underway. Thus, graduates can continue to work under their CNA license.
Conclusion
The Maryland Board of Nursing conducts the NCLEX-RN exam to grant practice licenses to eligible nursing professionals. A state nursing board license is mandatory if you want to work as an LPN or RN in Maryland.
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