Getting a Maine nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

Endorsement timeline, fees & requirements · Verified 2026-06-18

Not published. Applications are processed in the order received and licenses issue only when all documents are in.

Maine endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Sourced, verify

How it works: Maine grants license by endorsement (reciprocity) to an RN currently licensed in another jurisdiction; applications are processed in the order received.
Processing time: Not published. Applications are processed in the order received and licenses issue only when all documents are in.
Work while waiting: Not published for general endorsement applicants. The only published temporary-license provision is the military temporary license, valid 180 days.
Requirements: Nursys verification ($30) if your original state participates, otherwise paper verification; fingerprinting through IdentoGo (mailed cards and outside results are not accepted; results valid only 90 days). No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: The endorsement application fee is set out in the board's RN Endorsement Licensure Requirements; confirm the current amount there or at application. Nursys verification is $30, paid separately.
Compact rules: Maine is a compact state. A nurse holding an active multistate license may practice in Maine without applying. To get a Maine multistate license, Maine must be your declared primary residence with evidence; a single-state out-of-state licensee must endorse.
Military spouse: Maine issues a temporary license to active-duty members, recently separated military, and their spouses or partners who hold a comparable unrestricted license elsewhere and complete the application and a notarized affidavit; it is effective 180 days, during which you must apply for full licensure.

The board's endorsement details and fee are in a linked RN Endorsement Licensure Requirements PDF; confirm the current fee there or at application.

Source: Maine State Board of Nursing, license by endorsement/reciprocity, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Maine

1Check whether you even need Maine endorsement: if your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license may already cover you.
2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).
3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.
4Submit the Maine State Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.
5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Start at the source: Maine State Board of Nursing or the online licensing portal. Not sure if you even need to endorse? The compact eligibility quiz sorts compact privilege from a required license in two minutes.

Maine endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Maine nursing license by endorsement?: Not published. Applications are processed in the order received and licenses issue only when all documents are in.
Can I work in Maine while my endorsement application is processing?: Not published for general endorsement applicants. The only published temporary-license provision is the military temporary license, valid 180 days.
Do I need a Maine license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Maine is a compact state. A nurse holding an active multistate license may practice in Maine without applying. To get a Maine multistate license, Maine must be your declared primary residence with evidence; a single-state out-of-state licensee must endorse.
How much does Maine endorsement cost?: The endorsement application fee is set out in the board's RN Endorsement Licensure Requirements; confirm the current amount there or at application. Nursys verification is $30, paid separately.

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Maine endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Sourced, verify

How it works: Maine grants license by endorsement (reciprocity) to an RN currently licensed in another jurisdiction; applications are processed in the order received.
Processing time: Not published. Applications are processed in the order received and licenses issue only when all documents are in.
Work while waiting: Not published for general endorsement applicants. The only published temporary-license provision is the military temporary license, valid 180 days.
Requirements: Nursys verification ($30) if your original state participates, otherwise paper verification; fingerprinting through IdentoGo (mailed cards and outside results are not accepted; results valid only 90 days). No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: The endorsement application fee is set out in the board's RN Endorsement Licensure Requirements; confirm the current amount there or at application. Nursys verification is $30, paid separately.
Compact rules: Maine is a compact state. A nurse holding an active multistate license may practice in Maine without applying. To get a Maine multistate license, Maine must be your declared primary residence with evidence; a single-state out-of-state licensee must endorse.
Military spouse: Maine issues a temporary license to active-duty members, recently separated military, and their spouses or partners who hold a comparable unrestricted license elsewhere and complete the application and a notarized affidavit; it is effective 180 days, during which you must apply for full licensure.

The board's endorsement details and fee are in a linked RN Endorsement Licensure Requirements PDF; confirm the current fee there or at application.

Source: Maine State Board of Nursing, license by endorsement/reciprocity, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Maine

1Check whether you even need Maine endorsement: if your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license may already cover you.

2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).

3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.

4Submit the Maine State Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.

5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Maine endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Maine nursing license by endorsement?

Not published. Applications are processed in the order received and licenses issue only when all documents are in.

Can I work in Maine while my endorsement application is processing?

Not published for general endorsement applicants. The only published temporary-license provision is the military temporary license, valid 180 days.

Do I need a Maine license if I already hold a compact multistate license?

Maine is a compact state. A nurse holding an active multistate license may practice in Maine without applying. To get a Maine multistate license, Maine must be your declared primary residence with evidence; a single-state out-of-state licensee must endorse.

How much does Maine endorsement cost?

The endorsement application fee is set out in the board's RN Endorsement Licensure Requirements; confirm the current amount there or at application. Nursys verification is $30, paid separately.