How to register for the NCLEX in Maine

To work as an RN in Maine you license with the Maine State Board of Nursing online only (US$75). After you apply you register with IdentoGO for the US$52 fingerprint background check (Livescan in Maine, mailed card from outside), your school sends the School Certification or Course Completion form, and you register with Pearson VUE. Background results usually reach the Board within 24 to 48 hours and must be under 90 days old. Maine is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.

✓ Checked against MSBON's official pages on October 7, 2026

At a glance

BoardMaine State Board of Nursing (MSBON)

ExamNCLEX-RN, through Pearson VUE (US$200)

Application feeUS$75 RN exam, non-refundable

FingerprintsIdentoGO, one-time US$52; Livescan in Maine, mail-in card outside; results in 24-48 hours

Rulerepeat the background check if the result is more than 90 days old

CompactYes, since January 19, 2018; Declaration of Primary Residence

Steps Educated outside the US Documents Fees How long it takes Questions Official links

The steps, in order (graduates of a Maine program)

Tick each step as you finish it; your progress is saved on this device.

7 steps

Apply online for licensure by examination (US$75)Since January 1, 2020 every application is online; paper is returned. The US$75 application fee is non-refundable.MSBON: licensing by examination →
Register with IdentoGO for the background check (US$52)Only after the online application is complete can you request the fingerprint check at me.ibtfingerprint.com. In Maine, Livescan; outside Maine, register as 'mail in', have prints inked locally and post the card with your IdentoGO receipt to the card-scan operation in Tallahassee. Results typically reach the Board in 24 to 48 hours; a result older than 90 days must be repeated.MSBON: criminal background checks →
Your school sends the School Certification or Course Completion formThe Board's forms are completed by your nursing program; see the RN Exam Licensure Requirements document.
Register with Pearson VUE (US$200)Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test once the Board makes you eligible.NCSBN: NCLEX →
Submit the Declaration of Primary ResidenceMaine residents who meet the uniform requirements receive a multistate licence; the declaration decides which licence you get.MSBON: declaration of primary residence →
Write the NCLEX-RN; retake per the Board's processPearson VUE requires 45 days between attempts; the Board publishes an NCLEX Retake Process document. Maine's licensing pages describe no graduate permit for exam candidates.What to bring on exam day →
Licence issued; renewal US$75Practising without a licence for 91 days or more brings a US$500 fine under the Board's fines schedule.MSBON: fees and fines →

If you were educated outside the United States

The exam is the same; the path to being allowed to write it is longer. These are the extra steps.

2 steps

Follow the Board's foreign-educated applicant requirementsCredential evaluation and English proficiency are set out on the Board's foreign-educated applicants page.MSBON: foreign educated applicants →
Application (US$75), IdentoGO mail-in card (US$52), Pearson VUEPearson VUE: US$200, plus US$150 to test outside the US. Mail-in fingerprint cards take longer than Livescan.MSBON: criminal background checks →

Documents to have ready

Online application for licensure by examination and US$75
IdentoGO fingerprint background check (US$52), requested after the application is complete
School Certification Form or Course Completion Form from your program
Pearson VUE registration (US$200)
Declaration of Primary Residence
International graduates: documents per the foreign-educated applicants page

Fees

RN licence by examinationnon-refundable	US$75
IdentoGO fingerprint background checkone-time; repeat if the result is over 90 days old	US$52
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.	US$200
Renewal	US$75
Verification of licensure	US$30

How long it takes

Background results typically reach the Board in 24 to 48 hours (longer by mail or with a criminal history).
Repeat the background check if the result is more than 90 days old.
Retake after 45 days (Pearson VUE rule).

Mistakes that cost people time or money

Apply first, then IdentoGO: the fingerprint request only unlocks after the online application is complete.
Do not post fingerprint cards to the Board; they go to IdentoGO's card-scan centre or they are lost.
Time the prints: a result older than 90 days when your file completes means paying US$52 again.
Maine lists no graduate permit, so start dates follow the licence.

Questions people ask about Maine

How do I register for the NCLEX in Maine?

Apply online to the Maine State Board of Nursing (US$75), then register with IdentoGO for the US$52 fingerprint background check, have your program send the School Certification or Course Completion form and register with Pearson VUE (US$200). The Board makes you eligible and Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test.

How much does a Maine RN licence cost?

US$75 to the Board, US$52 to IdentoGO and US$200 to Pearson VUE. Renewal is US$75.

Can I work in Maine before I pass the NCLEX-RN?

Maine's licensing pages describe no graduate permit for exam candidates; plan to start after the licence issues.

Is Maine a compact state?

Yes, since January 19, 2018. Submit the Declaration of Primary Residence; Maine residents who meet the uniform requirements receive a multistate licence.

How do out-of-state applicants get fingerprinted for Maine?

Register with IdentoGO as 'mail in', have prints inked at a local police department or sheriff's office, and mail the card with your IdentoGO receipt to the IdentoGO Maine card-scan operation in Tallahassee, never to the Board.

How long are Maine background check results valid?

Ninety days; an older result must be repeated before the licence can issue.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on MSBON's and NCSBN's own pages on October 7, 2026; when a detail matters to you, confirm it there:

This guide explains the process; it is not legal or immigration advice. Decisions about your eligibility are made by Maine State Board of Nursing.

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