Verify a Maine Nurse—or Renew Before the Birthday Deadline
Maine does not use one statewide December renewal date. Each nursing license has its own expiration date tied to the nurse’s birthday, and there is no grace period after that date. A missed birthday deadline changes the task from renewal to resolving a lapsed license.
This guide explains the public license search, two-year renewal cycle, RN and LPN fees, APRN continuing education, application checklist, endorsement, fingerprints, compact rules, Nursys verification, name changes and the exact contact route for unresolved licensing problems.
Use Maine’s public Professional License Search to check status and expiration. Use the secure Maine Regulatory Licensing portal to renew, check an application, reactivate, change contact information or request a license copy.
Verify a Maine nurse
Check license status, credential type, expiration and public enforcement information.
Renew a nursing license
Renew online on or before the birthday expiration date shown on the license.
Check application status
Review the outstanding-document checklist for examination, endorsement or renewal.
Verify a nursing program
Check Maine-approved RN and LPN programs before enrolling or transferring.
Apply by endorsement
Apply online, obtain the Maine background check and order formal license verification.
Maine nursing-license facts that control your next step
Maine has no renewal grace period. When a license expires on the nurse’s birthday, the nurse cannot continue practising until the lapsed status has been resolved and active authority is restored.
Renewal is biennial
After the first renewal, Maine RN and LPN licenses generally renew every two years.
The deadline is personal
The relevant date is the birthday expiration printed on the current license certificate.
The emailed certificate is the license
The certificate includes the issue and expiration dates and can be requested again through the portal.
Online renewal is mandatory
Maine requires nursing renewal applications to be completed through the online licensing system.
APRN CE is different
Advanced-practice renewal includes specialty-based continuing-education and certification requirements.
Compact residence matters
Multistate RN or LPN authority follows the nurse’s primary state of residence.
How to verify a Maine nursing license
Use Maine’s free professional-license search for the current public record. A license number usually gives the cleanest match, especially when several nurses share a similar name.
Open the official Maine license search
Use the Maine Professional and Financial Regulation database rather than a private directory.
Open Official SearchEnter the license number when available
If the number is unknown, search the current legal name and consider a previous surname.
Match the correct nursing credential
Confirm whether the record is RN, LPN, CNP, CNM, CRNA, CNS or another Board-issued authorization.
Read status and expiration together
Do not treat an old certificate or screenshot as proof that the license remains active today.
Review public enforcement information
Open available disciplinary or enforcement documents before making an employment decision.
Record the verification date
Employers should retain the source, result, date checked and name of the person who completed verification.
| Record item | What to confirm | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Legal name | Match the applicant or employee and consider a previous surname. | A similar name can produce the wrong record. |
| License type | RN, LPN or the exact APRN specialty. | One individual can hold more than one credential. |
| Status | Active, inactive, lapsed or another status shown. | Only the current official status determines authority. |
| Expiration date | The birthday and assigned renewal year. | Maine does not use one statewide nursing deadline. |
| Compact status | Single-state or multistate RN/LPN authority. | Compact authority can change after relocation. |
| Discipline | Public Board orders, limitations or enforcement action. | The complete record may include practice conditions. |
No result or unexpected status?
Maine employers can use free Nursys e-Notify to receive alerts when an enrolled RN or LPN license changes, expires or receives disciplinary information.
Renew a Maine RN, LPN or APRN license
The first Maine nursing license is issued for at least one year and no more than two years, depending on the birth date. After the first renewal, the license generally renews every two years on or before the birthday.
Check the current certificate or public record
Confirm both the birthday and expiration year before opening the renewal transaction.
Verify ExpirationPrepare APRN requirements where applicable
RN and LPN renewal differs from APRN renewal. APRNs should confirm CE, specialty and national-certification requirements first.
Open the secure Maine licensing menu
Select “Renew your RN, LPN, CNP, CNM, CRNA, or CNS license.”
Open Maine MenuComplete every disclosure accurately
Recent convictions or discipline can be disclosed online, but explanations and supporting documents may require Board review.
Pay with an authorized credit card
A family member or employer card may be used with permission. A prepaid Visa card can also be used.
Save the emailed certificate
The emailed certificate is the Maine nursing license and should show the new issue and expiration dates.
RN renewal
$75 every two years.
LPN renewal
$50 every two years.
APRN renewal
$100 every two years.
Grace period
No grace period after expiration.
Why the renewal transaction may not complete
Renewal submission is not a substitute for checking the final license record. Confirm that the new certificate and public expiration date have been issued before relying on renewed authority.
What to do when a Maine nursing license has lapsed
Maine does not provide a practice grace period after the birthday expiration date. A nurse with a lapsed license must stop practising and resolve the status through the Board’s online licensing menu.
Stop licensed nursing practice
Do not continue working while waiting for the lapsed status to be resolved.
Verify the public status
Confirm the exact license type, expiration date and current status shown by Maine.
Choose Reinstate or Reactivate
Use the secure Maine licensing menu and select the option matching the current status.
Open Reinstatement MenuPay the correct reinstatement amount
The published reinstatement fee is $10 more than the current renewal fee for each nursing credential.
Wait for active authority
Return to practice only after the public record or updated certificate confirms active status.
| Status or transaction | Published fee | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| RN reactivation | $75 | Return an inactive RN license to active status. |
| RN reinstatement | $85 | Resolve a lapsed RN license. |
| LPN reactivation | $50 | Return an inactive LPN license to active status. |
| LPN reinstatement | $60 | Resolve a lapsed LPN license. |
| APRN reactivation | $100 | Return an inactive APRN credential to active status. |
| APRN reinstatement | $110 | Resolve a lapsed APRN credential. |
Maine may issue a Letter of Concern for unlicensed practice lasting 90 days or less. Longer unlicensed practice can lead to a consent agreement, warning and a $500 fine.
Maine nursing application, renewal and verification fees
The fees below are published by the Maine State Board of Nursing. Fingerprinting, Nursys, examination registration and delivery services can create separate charges.
| Transaction | Published amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| LPN examination | $50 | Maine LPN application by examination. |
| LPN endorsement | $50 | Maine LPN endorsement application. |
| LPN renewal | $50 | Two-year LPN renewal. |
| LPN reinstatement | $60 | Lapsed LPN license resolution. |
| RN examination | $75 | Maine RN application by examination. |
| RN endorsement | $75 | Maine RN endorsement application. |
| RN renewal | $75 | Two-year RN renewal. |
| RN reinstatement | $85 | Lapsed RN license resolution. |
| APRN licensure | $100 | Initial Maine APRN credential. |
| APRN renewal | $100 | Two-year APRN renewal. |
| APRN reinstatement | $110 | Lapsed APRN credential resolution. |
| Maine background check | $52 | One-time fingerprint and criminal-background-check process. |
| RN/LPN Nursys verification | $30 | Verification sent to another participating nursing board. |
| APRN or international verification | $30 | Board-processed verification request. |
| NP supervision registration | $50 | First registration, change or late supervisory registration. |
Maine nursing fees are separate from NCLEX registration, optional expedited delivery and other third-party services. Verify the amount on the live transaction before paying.
Maine APRN continuing-education and certification rules
Maine APRN renewal requires specialty-relevant education completed during the two-year license period. The Board audits selected renewals and may request certificates, activity descriptions and national-certification evidence.
| APRN requirement | Official standard | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Total continuing education | Minimum 50 CEUs in nursing, medicine or allied health during the two-year period. | Use education relevant to the approved advanced-practice specialty. |
| Category I | At least 30 of the 50 CEUs should be Category I. | Retain formal certificates showing the topic, date and credit. |
| Category II | Specific professional activities may count toward the remaining total. | List the activity, date, time spent and connection to the specialty. |
| Pharmacology | A non-prescribing NP or CNM may need 15 pharmacology CEUs during the previous 24 months. | Keep pharmacology certificates ready for the renewal audit. |
| National certification | Required certification must remain current. | Do not practise after certification expires, even when the state APRN license still appears current. |
| First short renewal cycle | The online system may recognize that the APRN has not been licensed for a full two years. | Answer the live renewal questions and provide requested pharmacology evidence. |
An APRN whose required national certification expires is not permitted to practise in the APRN role until recertification is granted and documented with the Board.
Check a Maine nursing application and missing-document checklist
Maine provides two useful routes: the secure licensing menu has a “Check the status of an application” option, and the public license search can display the pending license record and outstanding checklist.
Open the secure Maine licensing menu
Select “Check the status of an application” and use the pending or active license number.
Check Secure StatusSearch the applicant’s name publicly
The pending license number may display next to the applicant’s name.
Open the individual record
Double-click or open the name to view the checklist identifying outstanding documents.
Confirm who must send each item
Formal license verification, education documents or disciplinary records may need to come from the issuing source.
Do not resubmit the entire application
Resolve the named checklist item rather than creating a duplicate application.
| Checklist item | What it usually means | Best next action |
|---|---|---|
| License verification | The original or required state verification has not been matched. | Order Nursys verification or contact the non-participating board. |
| Criminal background check | The Maine fingerprint process is incomplete or not matched. | Use Maine’s approved registration process and verify personal details. |
| Education information | The Board needs formal nursing-program documentation. | Follow the exact checklist instruction rather than uploading an unofficial screenshot. |
| Disciplinary documents | A yes answer requires explanation or official records. | Provide a clear signed explanation and every document requested. |
| National certification | An APRN certification has not been verified or updated. | Send current certification documentation through the approved route. |
| No progress shown | A document may not have been received, indexed or matched. | Confirm the sending date, delivery method and exact applicant name. |
“I am contacting the Maine State Board of Nursing about my _____ application. My pending or active license number is _____. The checklist still shows _____ as incomplete. It was sent by _____ on _____ through _____. Please confirm whether it has been received and matched, or identify the exact additional document required.”
Maine RN and LPN licensure by endorsement
Endorsement applications are completed online. Applicants should coordinate the Maine criminal-background check and original-state verification with the online checklist rather than sending unrelated documents in advance.
Choose the correct endorsement license
Select RN endorsement or LPN endorsement through the Maine online licensing system.
Open Endorsement PagePay the application fee
The published endorsement fee is $75 for an RN and $50 for an LPN.
Register for the Maine background check
Maine uses its approved fingerprint vendor and publishes a one-time $52 fee.
Open Fingerprint InstructionsOrder original-state verification
Use Nursys when the original state participates. The published Nursys verification fee is $30.
Open Nursys VerificationMonitor the application checklist
Respond to the exact requests for education, legal, identity or disciplinary information.
Verify issuance before practising
Wait until the Maine public record and emailed certificate confirm active authority.
A background check completed for an employer, school or another facility does not automatically satisfy the Maine Board of Nursing’s initial-licensure fingerprint process.
Maine license search, Nursys or Board verification?
| Your task | Correct service | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Check a Maine nurse today | Maine Professional License Search. | Displays the current Maine public license record. |
| Check compact authority | Nursys QuickConfirm. | Shows RN or LPN multistate authority and participating-board information. |
| Send RN/LPN verification to another board | Nursys License Verification. | Maine discontinued processing RN and LPN verification forms for other jurisdictions. |
| Send APRN verification | Maine Board request with $30 fee. | APRN verification is processed through the Board’s stated email or mailing route. |
| Send CGFNS or foreign verification | Maine Board request with $30 fee. | International verification requires the receiving address and applicable form. |
| Move to another compact state | Apply in the new home state within 60 days. | The multistate license must be issued by the primary state of residence. |
Compact status applies to RN and LPN authority, not independent APRN practice authority. A nurse treating patients located in Maine in an APRN role must hold the required Maine APRN authorization.
Check a Maine RN or LPN nursing program
Use the Maine Board’s current RN and LPN program lists before enrolling. State approval, institutional accreditation and nursing-program accreditation are separate checks.
Choose RN or LPN
Start with the program list matching the nursing credential the student plans to pursue.
Match the exact school and location
Do not assume that every campus or delivery format has the same approval status.
Review current NCLEX performance
Compare multiple years of RN or LPN pass-rate information rather than one advertised result.
Check accreditation separately
Board approval confirms regulatory status; accreditation can affect transfer, employment and graduate study.
Get total costs in writing
Include tuition, clinical supplies, background checks, examinations, uniforms and graduation charges.
Maine RN programs
Check approved registered-nursing programs directly through the Board’s education section.
View RN ProgramsMaine LPN programs
Check approved practical-nursing programs and confirm the exact institution.
View LPN ProgramsName changes, address updates and license copies
Report a legal-name change online
Use Maine Menu and upload the accepted legal document in PDF format.
Accepted name documents
Maine identifies marriage certificates, full divorce decrees and probate-court documents as acceptable proof.
Name correction requires birth proof
A birth certificate may be required when correcting rather than legally changing a name.
Update address, phone and email
Use the secure portal and complete the Declaration of Primary Residence information where prompted.
Request a license copy
The portal can email the certificate or provide an immediate PDF copy.
Compact address changes matter
Nurses relocating to another compact home state must initiate a new multistate application within 60 days.
Keep an accessible email address on file. Maine sends the updated license certificate by email after renewal or an approved name change.
Maine Board of Nursing phone, email and address
Check the public record and application checklist before contacting staff. Prepare the license number, application type, submission date and exact outstanding item.
RN, LPN, APRN, renewal, endorsement and application questions.
General licensing and Board correspondence.
Use fax only when the relevant Board instructions permit it.
Closed weekends and Maine state holidays.
Include the Maine license number, name, recipient and applicable verification form.
Available for callers needing relay assistance.
“I am contacting the Maine State Board of Nursing about my _____ license or application. My license or pending number is _____. I submitted _____ on _____. The online record currently shows _____. Please identify the exact remaining requirement and whether it must come directly from the issuing organization.”
Physical address
Maine State Board of Nursing
161 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333
Mailing address
Maine State Board of Nursing
158 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0158
Call before travelling. An office visit does not guarantee same-day renewal, application approval, document matching or license issuance.
Maine Board of Nursing FAQ
How do I verify a Maine nursing license?
Open Maine’s Professional License Search, enter the license number or name, match the correct nursing credential and review the complete status, expiration and enforcement record.
When does a Maine nursing license expire?
A Maine RN or LPN license generally expires on the nurse’s birthday in the assigned renewal year.
How often does a Maine nursing license renew?
After the first licensing period, Maine nursing licenses generally renew every two years.
Is there a grace period after a Maine nursing license expires?
No. Maine does not provide a renewal grace period. A nurse cannot continue practising after the license lapses.
How much is Maine RN renewal?
The current published Maine RN renewal fee is $75.
How much is Maine LPN renewal?
The current published Maine LPN renewal fee is $50.
How much is Maine APRN renewal?
The current published Maine APRN renewal fee is $100.
Is online nursing-license renewal mandatory in Maine?
Yes. Maine requires nursing renewal applications to be completed through the online regulatory licensing system.
How do I check a Maine nursing application?
Use the Check Application Status option in Maine Menu. You can also search the applicant’s name publicly, open the pending record and review the outstanding-document checklist.
How much is Maine nursing endorsement?
The published endorsement fee is $75 for an RN and $50 for an LPN. The fingerprint process and Nursys verification are separate.
How much is the Maine nursing background check?
The Maine Board’s current background-check page lists a one-time $52 fingerprinting fee.
How do I send a Maine RN or LPN verification to another board?
Use Nursys License Verification. Maine no longer processes RN and LPN verification forms for other jurisdictions.
How many continuing-education hours does a Maine APRN need?
A Maine APRN generally needs 50 CEUs during the two-year license period, including at least 30 Category I credits.
Can a Maine APRN practise after national certification expires?
No. When required national certification expires, the nurse cannot practise in the APRN role until recertification is obtained and documented.
Does Maine belong to the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Eligible Maine residents may hold a multistate RN or LPN license, and a nurse moving to another compact home state must apply there within 60 days.
What is the Maine Board of Nursing phone number?
The Maine State Board of Nursing phone number is (207) 287-1133.
Maine Board of Nursing pages used for this guide
Fees, online transactions, licensing requirements and Board procedures can change. Recheck the relevant official page before submitting an application, document or payment.
For employers and public users
Use the live Maine license search or Nursys, match the exact nurse and credential, review status, expiration, compact authority and discipline, and retain the dated verification.
For applicants and licensees
Use Maine Menu for renewal, application status, reactivation, name changes, contact updates and license copies. This independent guide cannot access or modify private licensing records.