Verify a Maryland Nurse—and Renew by the Correct Birth-Month Deadline
Most people reaching this page need a practical answer: Is the nurse active today, does the record show multistate authority, why did a renewal remain unprocessed or which document is still missing from an endorsement application?
Maryland uses the MDH CHART system for license lookup, applications and renewals. RN and LPN licenses renew every two years, generally by the 28th day of the nurse’s birth month in a year matching the odd or even birth year.
Nurses born in an even-numbered year are normally in the 2026 biennial renewal cycle. Online renewal opens about 90 days before expiration and remains available for about 30 days after the 28th-day birth-month deadline.
Verify a Maryland nurse
Check active, inactive, non-renewed, invalid, compact and advanced-practice status.
Renew an RN or LPN
Confirm the birth-year cycle, practice requirement, training and background-check notice.
Check application status
Use CHART and the correct exam, endorsement or advanced-practice contact route.
Verify a nursing program
Confirm Board approval, exact program, conditional status and NCLEX performance.
Apply by endorsement
Complete fingerprints, education review, Nursys verification and the $230 application.
Maryland nursing license facts to check first
September and October 2026 expirations: MBON currently requires RN, LPN, advanced-practice and other listed credential holders expiring in those months to complete a criminal-history record check for renewal. Processing can take longer than the normal 5–10 days.
Maryland uses MDH CHART
The state’s current system provides registration, login, applications, license lookup and renewal access.
Verification updates Monday–Saturday
MBON directs employers and the public to use the online record as primary-source verification.
Printed license cards are discontinued
Maryland stopped issuing routine license cards because paper cards can be duplicated or altered.
Even birth years renew in 2026
An RN or LPN born in an even-numbered year normally renews in an even-numbered year.
Maryland is a compact state
A qualifying Maryland resident may hold a multistate RN or LPN license. APRN authority remains state-specific.
Renewal is not immediate
Standard renewal processing can take 5–10 days, with additional time for background checks or manual review.
How to verify a Maryland nursing license
Use MDH CHART License Lookup for the live Maryland record. Search by license number when available and open every relevant credential when the nurse holds both RN and advanced-practice authority.
Open Maryland License Lookup
Use the official CHART search rather than a paper card, employer screenshot or private database.
Open Official LookupSearch by exact license number when possible
Maryland RN numbers normally begin with R followed by six digits. LPN numbers generally begin with LP—or sometimes L0—followed by five digits.
Do not confuse zero with the letter O
MBON states that its credential numbers do not use the letter O. Enter the number zero and remove spaces.
Match every relevant credential
Confirm RN, LPN, APRN, forensic nursing, case-management or other expanded-role status separately.
Print or save the live result
The online result can be printed for facility records. Record the source and the date verification occurred.
| Status shown | What it generally means | Correct next action |
|---|---|---|
| Active | The Maryland credential is currently active under the details displayed. | Check expiration, compact status, advanced-practice authority and discipline. |
| Inactive | The nurse retains an inactive Maryland license but cannot practise under ordinary active authority. | Complete the inactive-to-active conversion and practice or refresher requirements. |
| Non-Renewed | The license was not renewed for the current period. | Request the correct renewal or reinstatement packet before practising. |
| Invalid | The credential cannot currently be used as valid Maryland practice authority. | Contact MBON and review the complete reason or order. |
| Multistate | The RN or LPN has NLC authority connected to the primary state of residence. | Confirm current home-state eligibility through Nursys. |
| Discipline or restriction | A Board order, sanction or limitation may apply. | Read the complete official document and effective dates. |
The public lookup hides addresses and Social Security numbers. It is designed to provide the credential information needed for safe primary-source verification.
No matching result?
Employer verification checklist
Renew a Maryland RN or LPN license in 2026
Maryland RN and LPN licenses renew every two years. Nurses born in an even-numbered year normally renew in an even-numbered year, including 2026, by the 28th day of the birth month.
Confirm the cycle
Check the live expiration date and whether the birth year is even or odd.
Check competency
Confirm 1,000 practice hours in five years, recent graduation or refresher completion.
Complete training and CHRC
Follow the one-time training rule and any birth-month background-check notice.
Submit and verify
Pay online, save confirmation and recheck the license after processing.
Verify the expiration date
Do not estimate from the birth month alone. Open the live Maryland record and note the exact expiration.
Check ExpirationConfirm the active-practice requirement
Be prepared to show 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within five years, recent graduation or completion of a Board-approved refresher route.
Complete the 2026 training requirement
At the first renewal after April 1, 2026, complete approved structural-racism training and implicit-bias training when it was not completed for a prior renewal.
Read Training NoticeCheck whether a CHRC is required
MBON currently requires a criminal-history record check for licenses expiring in September or October 2026 and for certain long non-renewed records.
Check Renewal AlertsLog in with the correct identity information
Online renewal uses the last name, Social Security number and nursing license number connected to MBON records.
Open Renewal LoginPay and confirm the new record
Online renewal accepts Visa or MasterCard credit or debit cards. Save the email confirmation and recheck License Lookup after processing.
| Renewal timing | What it means | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| About 90 days before expiration | Online renewal normally becomes available. | Start early enough to resolve training, CHRC, tax or account issues. |
| 28th day of birth month | Normal license expiration date. | Complete renewal before this date whenever possible. |
| Up to 30 days after expiration | The online system may remain available after expiration. | Do not practise merely because the portal still accepts renewal. |
| Standard processing | Renewals commonly take 5–10 days. | Monitor lookup rather than assuming payment instantly renews the license. |
| Background check required | Processing can exceed 10 days. | Complete fingerprints and enter the tracking number before waiting until the deadline. |
| After online processing | Verification usually reflects the update within approximately 2–4 days. | Print the updated live record for employment files. |
Online access after expiration is not a practice grace period. A nurse should not practise while the public record shows Non-Renewed, Invalid or another status that does not authorize practice.
A renewal can be blocked by a criminal-history requirement, disciplinary disclosure, missing national certification, tax hold, missing SSN or an incorrect license number.
Why online renewal may not work
Maryland RN and LPN renewal requirements beyond the fee
Maryland does not rely on one universal recurring CE-hour total for ordinary RN and LPN renewal. Active licensure is primarily tied to recent nursing practice, recent graduation or a Board-approved refresher pathway, plus any targeted training or background-check requirement.
| Requirement | Who it affects | What satisfies it |
|---|---|---|
| Active nursing practice | RN or LPN seeking active renewal. | 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within the previous five years. |
| Recent education | Recent graduates. | Completion of an approved nursing program within the previous five years. |
| Refresher pathway | Nurses without sufficient recent practice or graduation. | Successful completion of a Board-approved refresher or approved preceptorship route. |
| Implicit bias and structural racism | First license or certificate renewal after April 1, 2026. | Approved training and renewal attestation; prior implicit-bias completion generally does not need repeating. |
| Criminal-history record check | Birth-month groups selected by MBON and certain long non-renewed licensees. | The required fingerprint submission and tracking identification number. |
| APRN national certification | Applicable advanced-practice renewals. | Current national certification or the profession-specific documentation required by MBON. |
Practice is broader than bedside care
MBON includes qualifying supervision, teaching, administration and roles requiring nursing knowledge, judgment or licensure.
Use a five-year lookback
Count qualifying practice or approved education during the five years immediately before the renewal application.
2026 training is generally one-time
The structural-racism and applicable implicit-bias attestation applies at the first renewal after April 1, 2026.
Background checks are assigned by cycle
Do not complete a renewal CHRC solely because another nurse needed one. Follow the current MBON notice for the expiration month.
APRN documents are separate
An RN renewal does not replace submission of current national-certification evidence for applicable advanced-practice credentials.
Keep supporting evidence
Retain practice, training, refresher, fingerprint and national-certification documents in case MBON requests verification.
Nurses who cannot document the active-practice requirement should review inactive status or a Board-approved refresher course before attempting active renewal.
Maryland nursing application and renewal fees
The current nursing fee schedule became effective July 1, 2025. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Fingerprints, Nursys, Pearson VUE and credential evaluation can cost extra.
| Transaction | Current fee | Practical explanation |
|---|---|---|
| RN or LPN examination application | $187 | Maryland Board examination or re-examination fee; Pearson VUE charges separately. |
| RN or LPN endorsement | $230 | Permanent Maryland endorsement application. |
| Temporary RN or LPN license | $70 | Temporary 90-day license when the applicant qualifies. |
| Active RN biennial renewal | $191 | Includes the current $26 Maryland Health Care Commission assessment. |
| Active LPN biennial renewal | $165 | Current active LPN two-year renewal amount. |
| Volunteer RN or LPN renewal | $73 | Biennial volunteer-status renewal. |
| Inactive RN or LPN renewal | $60 | Maintains inactive status without ordinary practice authority. |
| LPN inactive-to-active conversion | $105 | Used after satisfying active-practice or refresher requirements. |
| RN inactive-to-active conversion | $131 | Includes the current $26 MHCC assessment. |
| Advanced-practice RN renewal | $210 | Includes RN-related MHCC assessment and first advanced-practice certification fee. |
| Nurse Practitioner renewal | $216 | Includes MHCC fee, first certification and current preceptorship surcharge. |
| Each additional APRN certification | $10 | Added for each additional advanced-practice certification renewed. |
| Maryland verification to another state | $45 | Compact-state verification is instead completed through Nursys. |
| APRN or VisaScreen verification | $45 | Formal advanced-practice or VisaScreen verification. |
The MHCC assessment applied to active RN-related renewals can vary. Use the amount displayed by the current official system before paying.
Check a Maryland nursing application
Use the original MDH CHART account and the correct MBON unit. Exam, endorsement and advanced-practice applications use different document and contact routes.
Sign in to the original CHART account
Do not create a second identity when an application or credential already exists.
Login or RegisterOpen the correct application
Separate RN/LPN examination, endorsement and advanced-practice transactions before checking missing requirements.
Confirm the fingerprint tracking number
Initial and endorsement applications require the correct CJIS background-check route and tracking information.
Verify direct-source documents
Transcripts, Nursys verification and national-certification records may need to come directly from the issuing organization.
Use the correct unit email
Send a concise inquiry with the full name, application type, submission date and exact missing item.
| Application type | Important document route | Contact route |
|---|---|---|
| RN or LPN examination | Primary-source education documents, background check and NCLEX eligibility. | mdbon.nbexam@maryland.gov |
| RN or LPN endorsement | Transcript, fingerprints, original-state verification and active license information. | mdbon.nets@maryland.gov |
| Advanced practice | RN authority, graduate education, certification and profession-specific documents. | mbon.advancedpractice@maryland.gov |
| RN or LPN renewal | Renewal application, practice attestation, training, CHRC and payment. | mbon.nurselicenserenewal@maryland.gov |
MBON states that advanced-practice processing normally requires about four weeks after a complete file is received. Incomplete or non-standard program records take longer.
The official website does not publish one universal processing time for every RN/LPN endorsement file. Fingerprints, transcripts, education review and applicant history can change the timeline.
“I am contacting the Maryland Board of Nursing about my _____ application. My full name is _____. I submitted the application and fee on _____. The document named _____ was sent by _____ on _____ using _____. My CHART account currently shows _____. Please confirm whether the item has been matched and identify the exact remaining requirement.”
Maryland RN or LPN licensure by endorsement
Endorsement applicants must have obtained nursing licensure through NCLEX and must follow the route matching the current license: compact multistate or non-compact.
If you ever held a Maryland license and it now shows Inactive, Non-Renewed or Invalid, do not submit a new endorsement application. Request the correct renewal or reinstatement packet from MBON.
Confirm the correct endorsement pathway
Determine whether the active source license is a compact multistate license or a non-compact/single-state license.
Verify the nursing education program
Confirm that MBON recognizes the program. When it is not listed, the school may need to complete the Board’s assessment tool.
Arrange the official transcript
The nursing school must provide verified evidence of education directly to the MBON endorsement unit.
Complete fingerprints
Use the Maryland or out-of-state CJIS process and retain the 12-digit tracking number from the receipt or fingerprint card.
Order original-state verification
Use Nursys for the original state of licensure when it participates in the national verification system.
Open Nursys VerificationSubmit within 48 hours of fingerprinting
Prepare a passport-style JPG or PNG photo, 12-digit tracking number, active license details and Visa or MasterCard payment.
Permanent endorsement
The current RN or LPN endorsement application fee is $230.
Temporary 90-day license
A qualifying applicant may request a $70 temporary license. An applicant already working under a valid multistate license is not eligible for the temporary Maryland license.
Foreign-educated nurses require a TruMerit/CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service Professional Report and must satisfy Maryland’s English-language requirements unless an official exception applies.
Maryland single-state and multistate nursing licenses
Maryland participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact for RN and LPN practice. The multistate license must generally come from the nurse’s primary state of legal residence.
| Credential situation | Practice authority | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland single-state RN or LPN | Practice under the Maryland license in Maryland. | Active status, expiration and Board action. |
| Maryland multistate RN or LPN | Practice in Maryland and other participating NLC jurisdictions. | Maryland remains the primary state of legal residence. |
| Out-of-state multistate license | Practice in Maryland while the issuing compact state remains the legal home state. | Active multistate authority through Nursys. |
| Maryland APRN practice | Practice only after obtaining the required Maryland advanced-practice certification. | RN authority, APRN certification and specialty details. |
Primary residence controls the MSL
The legal home state is generally the state used as residence for federal tax purposes.
Only one compact home license
A nurse may not maintain multistate home-state licenses from multiple compact states.
Follow the remote state’s practice law
A Maryland multistate nurse must follow the Nurse Practice Act of the state where the patient is located.
APRN is not included
Compact RN authority does not automatically permit advanced-practice nursing in Maryland.
Use Nursys for compact verification
Maryland does not directly verify compact licenses to another compact state; use the national system.
Moving to Maryland changes the route
A nurse establishing Maryland as primary residence must obtain the appropriate Maryland home-state license.
Check a Maryland RN or LPN nursing program
Verify the exact school, campus and RN or PN program through MBON before paying tuition. Board approval, conditional approval and national accreditation answer different questions.
Open Maryland nursing education resources
Use MBON’s nursing-program page rather than relying only on the college’s marketing material.
Open Program InformationMatch the exact credential pathway
Confirm whether the program leads to PN/LPN or RN licensure and whether the campus is the one shown in your enrollment agreement.
Read the current approval notice
Check whether the program is fully approved, conditionally approved or identified for non-compliance.
Compare NCLEX results
Review several years of first-time RN or PN performance rather than one isolated result.
Review NCLEX StatisticsVerify national accreditation separately
National accreditation can affect transfer credit, graduate education, employer policies and financial aid.
At the July 20, 2026 review date, MBON’s nursing-education page listed Coppin State University and Baltimore City Community College under a current conditional-approval or non-compliance notice. Recheck the live page before making an enrollment decision because program status can change.
Fix Maryland renewal login and profile problems
SSN not on file
Online RN/LPN renewal requires a Social Security number in MBON records. Request a mail-in application when it is unavailable.
RN number format
Enter R followed by six digits without spaces.
LPN number format
Enter LP—or sometimes L0—followed by five digits. Use the number zero, never the letter O.
Name changes need a separate form
A name can no longer be changed through the renewal application. Submit the CHART name-change form and legal proof.
Discipline answer is “Yes”
A nurse disclosing a new conviction or disciplinary action cannot renew online and must request a paper application.
Use a valid email address
MBON sends renewal confirmation electronically, so confirm the email before submitting payment.
Do not create a duplicate CHART account to solve a login issue. Recover the existing identity so the application or credential remains connected to the correct person.
Maryland Board of Nursing phone, email and office details
Use the contact route matching the task. Prepare the license or application number, submission date, fingerprint tracking number and exact missing item before calling or emailing.
General RN/LPN licensing, renewal and Board assistance.
Toll-free nursing license assistance.
Online or mail-in RN/LPN renewal questions and status inquiries.
NCLEX application materials and examination-application status.
Endorsement applications, application status and state-verification questions.
APRN application, certification and written-agreement questions.
“I am contacting MBON about my _____ license or application. My license or application number is _____. I submitted _____ on _____. My fingerprint tracking number is _____, if applicable. The document named _____ was sent by _____ on _____. The public or CHART status currently shows _____. Please identify the exact remaining action.”
Office address
Maryland Board of Nursing
4140 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215-2254
Office hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The office is on the Home Depot side of Reisterstown Road Plaza Mall, behind Burlington. The nurses division is on the upper level above the loading docks.
Call before travelling. An in-person visit does not guarantee same-day license issuance, renewal completion, fingerprint matching or document review.
Maryland Board of Nursing FAQ
How do I verify a Maryland nursing license?
Use MDH CHART License Lookup. Search by legal name or credential number, open the correct RN, LPN or APRN record and review status, expiration, compact authority and disciplinary information.
How often do Maryland RN and LPN licenses renew?
Maryland RN and LPN licenses normally renew every two years.
When does a Maryland nursing license expire?
The normal expiration date is the 28th day of the nurse’s birth month in the applicable odd-year or even-year renewal cycle.
Who normally renews in 2026?
RN and LPN licensees born in an even-numbered year normally renew in an even-numbered year, including 2026. Confirm the exact expiration through License Lookup.
How early can I renew online?
Maryland online renewal normally becomes available about 90 days before the license expires and may remain available about 30 days after expiration.
How much is Maryland RN renewal?
The current active RN biennial renewal fee is $191, including the current $26 Maryland Health Care Commission assessment.
How much is Maryland LPN renewal?
The current active LPN biennial renewal fee is $165.
How long does renewal processing take?
MBON states that renewal normally takes 5–10 days. A required criminal-history record check or manual review can take longer.
Which 2026 renewals require a background check?
MBON currently identifies licenses and certifications expiring in September 2026 and October 2026 as requiring a criminal-history record check for renewal.
Does Maryland require continuing education hours for RN or LPN renewal?
Maryland’s ordinary RN/LPN active-renewal standard focuses on 1,000 active-practice hours within five years, recent graduation or an approved refresher route. Targeted training and APRN requirements can also apply.
What training is required after April 1, 2026?
At the first renewal after April 1, 2026, applicants must complete approved structural-racism training and implicit-bias training when it was not already completed for a previous renewal.
Is Maryland a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Maryland participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact for qualifying RN and LPN multistate licenses. APRN authority remains state-specific.
How much is Maryland licensure by endorsement?
The current permanent RN or LPN endorsement application fee is $230. A qualifying temporary 90-day license costs $70.
How do I check a Maryland nursing application?
Sign in to the original MDH CHART account, open the correct application and use the exam, endorsement or advanced-practice contact route for missing-document questions.
How do I verify a Maryland nursing school?
Use MBON’s nursing education page, match the exact school and program, review current approval notices and compare several years of RN or PN NCLEX results.
What is the Maryland Board of Nursing phone number?
The main RN/LPN telephone number is 410-585-1900. The RN/LPN toll-free number is 888-202-9861.
Maryland sources checked for this guide
Fees, renewal alerts, background-check groups, training rules and application systems can change. Recheck the relevant official page before submitting a renewal, application, verification or payment.
For employers and the public
Use MDH CHART License Lookup, match the exact credential, confirm active status and expiration and use Nursys when compact home-state authority matters.
For nurses and applicants
Use the original CHART account, complete practice and training requirements, follow any CHRC notice and verify every final renewal or issuance through the public record.