Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Maine
Maine may be known best for its craggy coastline and abundance of lobsters, but there are a lot of other good reasons to establish your nursing career there. The state is experiencing enormous growth in healthcare jobs, while also having one of the lowest crime rates and costs of living in the nation.
In this article, we will cover:
- How to get your Maine nursing license by exam
- How to get your license by endorsement
- How to renew your Maine nursing license
- Licensing fees
- Continuing education requirements
- How to contact the Maine Board of Nursing
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How to get your Maine nursing license by examination
Step 1: Education
Maine is home to many fine nursing programs at both the associate and baccalaureate level, and the Board of Nursing has published a list of approved educational programs in the state. Whether you earned your nursing degree in Maine or elsewhere, the approach of graduation is the moment you’ve been working for. Now it’s time to apply for your nursing license.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.
Step 2: Apply
All licensure applications must be submitted online through the Maine State Board of Nursing’s Regulatory Licensing & Permitting portal. You will be asked to pay a $75 application fee and to provide a Social Security number, a photo, and an application signature page and to upload them with your online application or to send them via email at [email protected] or by mail to:
Maine State Board of Nursing
158 SHS
Augusta ME 04333
The other important step in your application process is to register to take the NCLEX exam. Registration is available at this website or by phone at 866-263-9600. There is a $200 registration fee.
Step 3: Submit Official Transcripts
If you graduated from an in-state nursing program, the school must complete the Certification of School Form for online applicants. Graduates of out-of-state programs must have the school send or email a final transcript with degree and date conferred to:
Maine State Board of Nursing
158 SHS
Augusta ME 04333
Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)
To complete your application for licensure by examination, you must complete the fingerprinting process for a criminal background check, which must be completed through the Maine Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the FBI, based on a set of fingerprints provided to IdentoGO. The Board of Nursing cannot accept fingerprint cards or criminal background check results mailed by you, or results that were completed for another facility, even if the previous check was completed through the DPS and the FBI.
To complete the process, register for fingerprinting online at https://me.ibtfingerprint.com/. There is a one-time $52 fee for this process.
Step 5. Take the NCLEX
Once you’ve submitted all required materials to the Maine State Board of Nursing, Pearson VUE will be notified of your eligibility and will email you an Authorization to Test. Taking and passing the NCLEX exam is the last step on your path to becoming a licensed registered nurse. The test covers the foundational material that you learned over the course of your nursing program and during your clinical practice. Topics include:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Management of Care
- Safety and Infection Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
- Physiological Adaptation
Upon your passage of the NCLEX exam you will be issued a Maine nurse license. If you do not pass the exam you will be able to retake the test by registering to take the exam again. You will not need to resubmit the Certification of School form, but your criminal background check is only good for 90 days, so you may need to go through that process again. You must wait 45 days before taking the exam again, and in doing so you will need to register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 testing fee again.
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Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)
If you are licensed in another state and would like to switch your registered nurse license to Maine, begin by visiting the state’s online portal. Select the option to apply for a license.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit an application fee of $75. You will also need to upload a current photo and a manually signed application signature page as well as all supporting documentation and explanations of any “yes” responses to questions in the disciplinary section.
The application requires:
- A letter documenting that you have met the basic requirements for registered nursing licensure from your nursing program. Submission of transcripts will be requested in some cases, and always will be needed for graduates of accelerated BSN programs. If you are asked to submit transcripts, your school can email them to [email protected] or mail them directly to:
Maine State Board of Nursing
158 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333
- You must complete the fingerprinting process for a criminal background check conducted by both the Maine Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the FBI based on a set of fingerprints provided to IdentoGO. The Board of Nursing cannot accept fingerprint cards or criminal background check results mailed by you, or results that were completed for another facility, even if the previous check was completed through the DPS and the FBI. To complete the process, register for fingerprinting online at https://me.ibtfingerprint.com/. There is a one-time $52 fee.
To verify your license in a state that participates with the NURSYS system, visit the site and request licensure verification. There is a $30 fee per state. If your original license comes from a state that does not participate with NURSYS, contact the state’s board of nursing and request that verification of your license be sent.
How to renew your Maine nursing license
Step 1: When to submit your renewal application
The state of Maine now requires all license renewal applications be submitted online. When you are issued your first nursing license, your license will be active for at least one year and no more than two years. After you renew your license for the first time, you will renew your license every two years on or before your birthday. The renewal fee is $75.
Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements
Maine does not require nurses to complete any continuing education requirements before renewing their licenses.
Step 3: Submit your renewal application
License renewals and the $75 fee must be submitted through the state’s online portal.
Maine nursing licensing fees
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Maine whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Maine from another state. For more information visit the Maine licensing page.
Licensing fees by examination (NCLEX exam for first-time nurses):
- NCLEX fee: $200
- Application fee: $75 (RN); $50 (LPN)
Licensing fee by endorsement (already have RN licensure):
- Application fee: $75 (RN); $50 (LPN); $100 (APRN, $50 for each specialty)
License renewal fees:
- Application fee: $75 (RN); $50 (LPN); $100 (APRN)
Maine is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.
*Fees are subject to change.
**Most states require a background check, but prices are not always listed.
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Continuing education requirements
RN: No requirements
LPN: No requirements
APRN: 50 contact hours every 2 years
Licensees with prescriptive authority are required 3 hours of Category I education on prescribing opioid medication.
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Maine State Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
How to contact the Maine Board of Nursing
Maine State Board of Nursing
Phone: (207) 287-1133
Fax: (207) 287-1149
Website: https://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/
161 Capitol Street
158 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0158
