Before Start:
- Must have completed a nursing program equivalent to U.S. standards.
- Must have a current, valid nursing license from the country where they were educated and any other jurisdictions where they have practiced.
- Must demonstrate English language proficiency, if the nursing education was not in English. Therefore you must pass the English Exam such as TOEFL or IELTS before starting the endorsement.
- Must have the NCLEX-RN issued by any state in the US.
- Social Security Number(SSN) is not required to complete the endorsement.
- Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) allows foreign nurses to complete the license endorsement outside of the US.
Steps to Apply:
NOTE:
- The endorsement takes some time. You need to be patient.
- MBON(Maryland Board of Nursing) might reply LATE to your email.
- Credential Evaluation(CES):
Obtain a credential evaluation report from an approved agency such as the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). The report must verify that your nursing education is equivalent to U.S. standards. - Criminal Background Check (Fingerprint):
Complete a criminal background check (CBC) with fingerprinting through Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS). - Application Submission:
Complete the application for licensure by endorsement. The application form is downloadable. Pay the required application fee (Money Order / non-refundable). - English Language Proficiency:
If your nursing education was not in English, you must pass an English proficiency exam such as the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System), before starting your journey to endorsement of your current nursing license to Maryland. - Verification of Licenses (Nursys):
Verify your foreign nursing license and any other nursing licenses you hold through Nursys.
Additional Requirements:
- Submit official transcripts from your nursing program, translated into English if necessary.
- Provide any additional documentation requested by the Maryland Board of Nursing to verify your qualifications and experience.
- Maryland Board of Nursing(MBON) does not require you to add an English Test score on your CES Professional report. However, you still need to prove your English Test Score to MBON directly when asked.
