Nurse Multi-State Licensure Compact

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Effective October 1, 2012, any Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) applying for licensure and living in a member state of the Multistate Licensure Compact must take the NCLEX exam in their home state.  The Maryland Board of Nursing is required by the Nurse Practice Act (Health Occupations, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland), to abide by the below regulations:
  • § 8-301(d) - A Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can hold a license in only one party state at a time and that license has to be issued from the home state of the licensee;
  • § 8-304(2)(iv)-  An applicant for licensure by examination in Maryland must submit satisfactory evidence to the Board that the applicant’s primary state of residence is Maryland or a state that is not a party to the compact; and
  • § 8-305(b) An applicant whose primary state of residence is a party state, other than Maryland, is not entitled to be examined for a license as an RN or LPN in Maryland. 

Please understand that if the Board receives your application and you live in a Compact State, your application WILL NOT be processed and WILL BE returned to you.   

  • Virginia Has Joined the Nurse Compact  - The State of Virginia has joined the Compact as of January 1, 2005. If your primary state of residence is Virginia, and you have an active Virginia License, you will no longer need a Maryland license. You will be able to work in Maryland on your Virginia license as of January 1, 2005. Please DO NOT RENEW your Maryland License! We will not be able to issue refunds!
 

updated 1/30/2018

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