MARYLAND BOARD OF NURSING
4140 PATTERSON AVENUE
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21215-2254
TELEPHONE: 410 585-1900
TOLL FREE: 1-888-202-9861
www.mbon.org

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF SCHOOLS OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES

Eligibility Requirements for Maryland Licensure by Examination (NCLEX):

1. A high school diploma or its equivalent (GED)

2. Graduation from an approved school of nursing substantially equivalent to Maryland programs and offering a program of correlated theory and clinical practice in Medical, Surgical, Obstetric, Pediatric, Gerontologic, and Psychiatric Nursing. 

3. Competency in oral English by either:

a. Graduation from an onsite 3-year or longer nursing program located in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada except Quebec, New Zealand, or Ireland and recognized by the Board as requiring competence in spoken English, or

b. Passing the TOEFL iBT speaking score of 26, or the ILA Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), with a score of at least 3 or the IELTS taken on or after October 01, 2005 with a score of at least 7 on the Speaking Module and 6 on other Modules, plus 6.5 overall for RNs. 

Steps in Application Process:

1. Maryland Board of Nursing Application for Licensure by Examination
2. Credentials Evaluation Service Application (CGFNS) 
3. TOEFL iBT, IELTS or ILA OPI*
4. NCLEX Candidate Bulletin**

You must file an application with the Maryland Board of Nursing before the Board can receive supporting documents. You should request the supporting documents from CGFNS and the oral English test at the same time that you file your Maryland application, because any application that is inactive and not completed within ONE (1) YEAR will be destroyed and a new application must be filed and another fee paid. Your eligibility to take the RN or PN test will be determined by the Board as soon as all information required has been received from you, from CGFNS, and from TOEFL iBT, ILA OPI, or IELTS. The Board will then evaluate your complete application and determine whether you are eligible for either the RN or PN test. After the Board’s evaluation, register for the appropriate examination with the tester by Internet (www.pearsonvue.com/nclex), by phone, or by mail. You will then receive the Authorization To Test (“ATT”) by email or by letter, and will be able to make an appointment to test with the tester.

*More information is available on the Board’s webpage www.mbon.org.
**INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS SHOULD WAIT UNTIL THEIR APPLICATION IS COMPLETE AND APPROVED BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THE NCLEX.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT THE MARYLAND BOARD OF NURSING APPLICATION 
FOR RN OR PN LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION

THE BOARD OF NURSING ACCEPTS PAPER APPLICATIONS ONLY
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

• Print and use only capital letters. Put one letter per box. Skip one box between words.
• Use black or blue pen only, not pencil or felt tip pen. 
• Use abbreviations when possible. 
• Leave a box blank, or mark with an “X” but do not circle or write anything outside of the boxes on the form.
• Your name must be the same on your application, your supporting documents, and your photo identification when you test. Use the name that you want to appear on your license.

1. Address section: Complete “section 13. Country” only if you are currently residing outside of the United States. 

2. If you have had a criminal conviction(s), you must submit a separate page with a complete description and explanation of each incident.

3. Tape one recent passport type full-face photo (2" X 2") to the application where indicated. Print your name on the back of the photo before you attach it to the application.

4. Mail your completed application to the Board with a money order or check for $100.00. Make payable to the “Maryland Board of Nursing.” 

5. NEED FOR SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: The Maryland Board of Nursing complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in accommodating candidates with special needs.

A. Notify the Board immediately at 410-585-1929 if you have a need for special testing accommodations. 

B. The following written documents must be submitted to the Board office verifying the disability and need before special accommodations can be considered.

1. Letter from the candidate: stating diagnosis and accommodations 

2. Letter from the school of nursing: describing any special accommodations given 

3. Letter from a health professional i.e. Medical Doctor, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, etc.: must include diagnostic codes and suggested accommodations.

NCLEX TESTING APPLICATION

1. After your application to the Maryland Board of Nursing is complete, including reports from CGFNS and your oral English exam, read the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin (enclosed) carefully.

2. Follow the directions to register for the NCLEX on the web (www.pearsonvue.com/nclex). You may also choose to register by telephone or by mail. To register by mail, complete the form found in the middle of the enclosed bulletin. Use a No. 2 pencil; do not use ink. Mail in the envelope provided in the bulletin. Do not return this application to the Board of Nursing. 

3. For online or telephone registration you will need a major credit card. If registering by mail, you must enclose a certified check, cashier's check, or money order for the appropriate amount. Make checks payable to the “National Council of State Boards of Nursing.” 

4. If all application requirements are complete and approved, the Board will notify the tester. You will then receive your ATT via e-mail, or by regular mail if you registered by mail and have no e-mail, and can schedule your test. If you do not appear for your NCLEX testing appointment, you will be required to re-register, and to re-pay the Board and the NCLEX fees. 

TDD FOR DISABLED MARYLAND RELAY SERVICE 1-800-735-2258

 

 

Supplemental Information for Maryland Board of Nursing Applicants for Licensure Examination: 

APPLICATION FOR ORAL ENGLISH TEST

TOEFL iBT: Obtain an application, or apply directly, using the Online Application System on the Web at www.ets.org. The mailing address is: Educational Testing Service, Rosedale Road, Princeton, NJ 08541

ILA OPI: Obtain the application on the Board’s web page, www.mbon.org/licensure/opi_app.pdf. This is an in-person test, offered in Maryland. The results are available in less than one month. The mailing address is: ILA OPI, 6400 Baltimore National Pike, # 211, Catonsville, MD 21228

IELTS: If testing after October 1, 2005, obtain an application and information at www.ielts.org.

You must request that test results be sent to the Maryland Board of Nursing

 

 

CREDENTIALS EVALUATION SERVICE APPLICATION PACKET

Information and the Online Application System are available on the Web at www.cgfns.org. Read all instructions carefully. 

Answers to most frequent questions:

A. Request For Academic Records For Credentials Evaluation:

1. Send the request for Licensure Validation directly to your original licensing agency. Send the request for your Academic Records, including secondary education, directly to your school(s). Request the school to send your transcript directly to:

CGFNS/Attn:CES
3600 Market Street
Suite 400
Philadelphia, Pa 19104-2651, USA 

2. The Maryland Board of Nursing cannot accept transcripts.

B. Application Form For Credentials Evaluation Service

1. Complete application by following all instructions. Apply online if possible.

2. Indicate at “Report Recipients” that you want this report to be mailed to: 

Donna Dorsey, MS, RN, FAAN, Executive Director
Maryland Board of Nursing
4140 Patterson Ave 
Baltimore, MD 21215-2254 

3. The type of report that you must request is the Full Course-By-Course Report .

4. You must include both the name that you use now and your name while attending school, if different, on your application for Credentials Evaluation.