How to register for the NCLEX in Maryland

To work as an RN in Maryland you license with the Maryland Board of Nursing. Fingerprints come first: a Criminal History Records Check through CJIS (US$57.25) before you submit the online exam application (US$187), then your transcript, the Declaration of Primary State of Residence and Pearson VUE. Once the Board has your fingerprint card you may take the NCLEX, but no licence is issued until the record check is reviewed. A US$70 temporary licence is available to qualifying applicants. Maryland is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.

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

At a glance

BoardMaryland Board of Nursing (Maryland Department of Health)

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

Application feeUS$187 exam or re-exam

FingerprintsCJIS Criminal History Records Check, US$57.25, before you apply

Temporary licenceUS$70, issued in 3 to 5 business days to applicants who meet the fingerprint and licence requirements

CompactYes, since January 19, 2018

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

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

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

7 steps

Get fingerprinted for the Criminal History Records Check firstBefore you apply, complete the CHRC through Maryland's Criminal Justice Information System (US$57.25 paid to CJIS). Electronic fingerprinting at a State Police barracks or CJIS office returns results in about a week; manual cards take three to four weeks. Keep the receipt postcard with the verification number.MBON: CHRC fact sheet for NCLEX applicants →
Submit the online Licensure by Exam application and pay US$187Apply through the Board's online portal. Graduates of Maryland programs and of programs the Board finds substantially equivalent are eligible; out-of-state students need an official final sealed transcript sent to the Board.MBON: NCLEX-RN application instructions →
Declare your primary state of residenceThe Declaration of Primary State of Residence decides whether your licence is multistate (Maryland residents who meet the uniform requirements) or single-state.
Register with Pearson VUE (US$200)Read the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin and register; once the Board has your fingerprint card and application it makes you eligible and Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test.Pearson VUE: NCLEX →
Optional: temporary licence (US$70)Applicants who meet the fingerprinting and active-licence requirements can be issued a temporary licence within three to five business days. Confirm with the Board whether your exam application qualifies.MBON: schedule of fees →
Write the NCLEX-RNYou may take the exam once the Board has received your fingerprint card, but no licence is issued until the record check has been reviewed. Pearson VUE requires 45 days between attempts; a re-exam application is US$187.What to bring on exam day →
Licence issued; renew every two yearsBiennial active renewal is US$191 (including the US$26 MHCC fee). Verification to another state costs US$45.MBON: schedule of fees →

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

Use the Board's international application instructionsGraduates of schools outside the United States follow a separate instruction page covering credential evaluation and English proficiency, with its own application.MBON: international application instructions →
CJIS fingerprints, Pearson VUE, NCLEX-RNThe same CHRC (US$57.25) before applying, then Pearson VUE (US$200, plus US$150 to test outside the US). No licence until the record check is reviewed.MBON: CHRC fact sheet →

Documents to have ready

CJIS Criminal History Records Check completed before applying (US$57.25) with the receipt postcard
Online Licensure by Exam application and US$187
Official final sealed transcript (out-of-state programs) or program verification
Declaration of Primary State of Residence
Pearson VUE registration (US$200)
International graduates: documents per the Board's international instructions

Fees

RN exam or re-exam application	US$187
CJIS Criminal History Records Checkpaid to CJIS before you apply	US$57.25
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.	US$200
Temporary licence	US$70
Biennial active renewalincludes US$26 MHCC fee	US$191
Endorsement from another state	US$230

How long it takes

Fingerprints before the application; electronic results in about one week, manual cards 3 to 4 weeks.
Temporary licence issued within 3 to 5 business days when requirements are met.
You may test once the Board has the fingerprint card; licence only after the CHRC is reviewed.
Retake after 45 days (Pearson VUE rule).

Mistakes that cost people time or money

Maryland is fingerprints first: book CJIS electronic fingerprinting before you open the application.
Keep the CJIS receipt postcard; the verification number is what the Board asks for if results go missing.
A re-exam costs the full US$187 again in Maryland; prepare for the first attempt accordingly.
If your primary residence is in a neighbouring compact state (Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania), apply there for the multistate licence instead.

Questions people ask about Maryland

How do I register for the NCLEX in Maryland?

Complete the CJIS Criminal History Records Check first (US$57.25), then submit the online Licensure by Exam application (US$187), have your transcript sent, declare your primary state of residence and register with Pearson VUE (US$200). Once the Board has your fingerprint card and application it makes you eligible and Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test.

How much does a Maryland RN licence cost?

US$187 for the exam application, US$57.25 for the CJIS record check and US$200 to Pearson VUE, plus US$70 if you want a temporary licence. Renewal is US$191 every two years.

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

The Board issues a US$70 temporary licence within three to five business days to applicants who meet the fingerprinting and active-licence requirements; ask the Board whether your exam application qualifies. No permanent licence is issued until the criminal history check has been reviewed.

Is Maryland a compact state?

Yes, since January 19, 2018. Your Declaration of Primary State of Residence decides whether you receive a multistate licence (Maryland residents meeting the uniform requirements) or a single-state licence.

How long does the Maryland fingerprint check take?

About one week for electronic fingerprints taken at a State Police barracks or CJIS office; three to four weeks for manual cards.

What does an internationally educated nurse need for Maryland?

Follow the Board's international application instructions (credential evaluation and English proficiency), complete the CJIS record check, and register with Pearson VUE; the licence is issued only after the record check is reviewed.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on MBON'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 Maryland Board of Nursing.

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