Become a Nurse in Maryland – Licensure & Requirements

Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Maryland Board of Nursing before applying for licensure. Last updated: 1/27/2020

Nursing Licenses in MarylandMaster’s Required?
Nurse Practitioner
Yes
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Yes
Certified Nurse-Midwife
Yes
Nurse Anesthetist
Yes
Nurse Psychotherapist
Yes
Registered Nurse (RN)
No
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
No

Maryland Nursing Salaries

MD Nurse CareerState-Wide Annual Mean WageBaltimore-Columbia-Towson Annual Mean WageCalifornia-Lexington Park Annual Mean WageSalisbury, MD-DE Annual Mean Wage
Licensed Practical Nurse
$53,650
$53,380
$53,990
$46,070
Registered Nurse
$76,820
$77,920
$57,930
$72,300
Nurse Practitioner
$115,060
$118,780
$106,240
$109,910
Nurse Anesthetist
$191,160
$217,880
Not Available
Not Available
Nurse Midwife
$115,440
$117,840
Not Available
Not Available

Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Maryland in January 2020.

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Maryland. The path you take will mostly depend upon the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Maryland, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Maryland nursing licensure. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in the healthcare sphere it’s difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Maryland, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

info

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

  • Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
  • Complete in as few as 24 months
  • Full-time and part-time tracks available

Georgetown University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

  • Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
  • Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
  • Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

St. John Fisher University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

  • Part-time and accelerated tracks available
  • Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

info SPONSORED

Compact State Status

Maryland is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.

Prescriptive Authority in Maryland

According to the Maryland Department of Health, Chapter 07, Section 07 Practice of the Nurse Practitioner – Preparing and Dispensing Chapter 05, Section 11 Practice of Nurse Midwifery – Prescribing of Substance by a Certified Nurse Midwife nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives may apply for prescriptive authority for Schedule II-V controlled substances in collaboration with a physician.

Nurse Practitioner in Maryland

Education: Master’s Degree or Higher from an Approved Nurse Practitioner Program

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Fees:

  • $50 Application Fee
  • $25 Fee for Additional Areas of Certification
  • Certification Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)

Certification Required: National Certification as a Nurse Practitioner.

Additional Information: An active registered nurse license from a compact state is required for standard application. Registered nurses from non-compact states may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to a $100 fee. All nurse practitioner applicants must complete an attestation form, in addition to the application forms.

Renewal: Renewal fee is $161 annually. Nurse practitioners must provide proof of active national certification, transcripts showing board-approved refresher course completed if nurse has failed to meet 1,000 practice hours, and proof signed by your employer of 1,000 hours of active practice in the past five years, if applicable.

Learn more on how to become a nurse practitioner.

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Maryland

Education: Master’s Degree or Higher from an Approved Clinical Nurse Specialist Program

Certification Required: National Certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Fees:

  • $50 Application Fee
  • Certification Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)

Additional Information: An active registered nurse license from a compact state is required for standard application.

Renewal: Renewal fee is $146 annually. Clinical nurse specialists should proof of active national certification, transcripts showing board-approved refresher course completed if nurse has failed to meet 1,000 practice hours, and proof signed by your employer of 1,000 hours of active practice in the past five years, if applicable.

Learn more on how to become a clinical nurse specialist.

Certified Nurse-Midwife in Maryland

Education: Master’s Degree or Higher from a Nurse-Midwife Program Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education

Examination: Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Exam from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)

Certification Required: Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)

Fees:

  • $50 Application Fee
  • $500 Certification Examination Fee

Additional Information: An active registered nurse license from a nursing compact state is required for application.

Renewal: Renewal fee is $146 annually. CNMs will need to provide proof of active national certification, transcripts showing board-approved refresher course completed if nurse has failed to meet 1,000 practice hours, and proof signed by your employer of 1,000 hours of active practice in the past five years, if applicable.

Learn more on how to become a certified nurse midwife.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in Maryland

Education: Master’s Degree or Higher from a Nurse Anesthetist Program Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs

Examination: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Exam from the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)

Certification Required: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) from the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

Fees:

  • $50 Application Fee
  • $725 Certification Examination Fee

Additional Information: An active registered nurse license from a nursing compact state is required for application.

Renewal: Renewal fee is $146 annually. CRNAs must provide proof of active national certification, transcripts showing board-approved refresher course completed if nurse has failed to meet 1,000 practice hours, and proof signed by your employer of 1,000 hours of active practice in the past five years, if applicable.

Learn more on how to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Nurse Psychotherapist (PMH/APRN) in Maryland

Education: Master’s degree or higher from a psychiatric and mental health clinical nurse specialist program accredited by the Commission on the Collegiate of Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)/

Examination: Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist—Board Certified (PMHCNS-BC) Examination from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Certification Required: Clinical Specialist in Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing or Clinical Specialist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (PMHCNS-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Fees:

  • $50 Application Fee
  • Certification Examination Fee $295 for American Nurses Association (ANA) Members, $220 for American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Members, or, $395 for Non-Members

Additional Information: An active registered nurse license from a nursing compact state is required for application.

Renewal: License renewal is $146. Nurse psychotherapists in Maryland must provide proof of maintenance of a national certification as a PMH/APRN.

Learn more on how to become a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner.

Registered Nurse (RN) in Maryland

Education: Completion of an Approved Registered Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

  • $200 Examination Fee
  • $100 Application Fee

Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state who can provide proof of either 1,000 practice hours in the past 5 years or successful completion of an approved refresher course may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to a $100 fee. Registered nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for a license in Maryland, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Maryland.

Renewal: Renewal fee is $136. Renewals for licensee’s with an odd birth year renew in odd numbered year not later than the 28th day of the licensee’s birth month. This same process applies for those born in even-numbered years, renewing on even-numbered years. RNs must provide proof of either 1,000 active hours of nursing practice, complete a degree from a nursing program, or 30 continuing education credits within two years before renewal date.

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Maryland

Education: Completion of an Approved Licensed Practical Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

  • $200 Examination Fee
  • $100 Application Fee

Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state who can provide proof of either 1,000 practice hours in the past 5 years or successful completion of an approved refresher course may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to a $100 fee. Licensed practical nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for a license in Maryland, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Maryland.

Renewal: Renewal fee is $110. Renewals for licensee’s with an odd birth year renew in odd numbered year not later than the 28th day of the licensee’s birth month. This same process applies for those born in even-numbered years, renewing on even-numbered years. LPNs must provide proof of either 1,000 active hours of nursing practice, complete a degree from a nursing program, or 30 continuing education credits within two years before renewal date.

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information on the above nursing careers in Maryland was retrieved from the Maryland Board of Nursing, as of January 2020.

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

info

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

  • Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
  • Complete in as few as 24 months
  • Full-time and part-time tracks available

Georgetown University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

  • Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
  • Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
  • Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

St. John Fisher University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

  • Part-time and accelerated tracks available
  • Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

info SPONSORED