Getting a Maryland nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

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

Not published.

Maryland endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Maryland licenses an already-licensed out-of-state RN by endorsement through a six-step process (transcripts, background check, Nursys verification, application, photo, and a credential evaluation for foreign-educated nurses).
Processing time: Not published.
Work while waiting: Yes. The board issues a 90-day temporary RN license to eligible endorsement applicants ($70). If you already hold an active multistate license you are not eligible for the temporary license, since you practice under your compact privilege instead.
Requirements: Verify your original license through Nursys. Complete Live Scan fingerprinting and a criminal background check (submit the application within 48 hours of fingerprinting). Official transcripts emailed to the endorsement unit, plus a digital passport photo. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $230 permanent endorsement license; $70 for the optional 90-day temporary license. Fees are non-refundable.
Compact rules: Maryland is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Maryland practice. Make Maryland your primary residence, or hold only a single-state license, and you must obtain a Maryland license by endorsement.

The Maryland fee schedule increased July 1, 2025.

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

Steps to endorse into Maryland

1Check whether you even need Maryland 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 Maryland 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: Maryland 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.

Maryland endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Maryland nursing license by endorsement?: Not published.
Can I work in Maryland while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. The board issues a 90-day temporary RN license to eligible endorsement applicants ($70). If you already hold an active multistate license you are not eligible for the temporary license, since you practice under your compact privilege instead.
Do I need a Maryland license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Maryland is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Maryland practice. Make Maryland your primary residence, or hold only a single-state license, and you must obtain a Maryland license by endorsement.
How much does Maryland endorsement cost?: $230 permanent endorsement license; $70 for the optional 90-day temporary license. Fees are non-refundable.

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Maryland endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Maryland licenses an already-licensed out-of-state RN by endorsement through a six-step process (transcripts, background check, Nursys verification, application, photo, and a credential evaluation for foreign-educated nurses).
Processing time: Not published.
Work while waiting: Yes. The board issues a 90-day temporary RN license to eligible endorsement applicants ($70). If you already hold an active multistate license you are not eligible for the temporary license, since you practice under your compact privilege instead.
Requirements: Verify your original license through Nursys. Complete Live Scan fingerprinting and a criminal background check (submit the application within 48 hours of fingerprinting). Official transcripts emailed to the endorsement unit, plus a digital passport photo. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $230 permanent endorsement license; $70 for the optional 90-day temporary license. Fees are non-refundable.
Compact rules: Maryland is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Maryland practice. Make Maryland your primary residence, or hold only a single-state license, and you must obtain a Maryland license by endorsement.

The Maryland fee schedule increased July 1, 2025.

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

Steps to endorse into Maryland

1Check whether you even need Maryland 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 Maryland 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.

Maryland endorsement FAQ

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

Not published.

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

Yes. The board issues a 90-day temporary RN license to eligible endorsement applicants ($70). If you already hold an active multistate license you are not eligible for the temporary license, since you practice under your compact privilege instead.

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

Maryland is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Maryland practice. Make Maryland your primary residence, or hold only a single-state license, and you must obtain a Maryland license by endorsement.

How much does Maryland endorsement cost?

$230 permanent endorsement license; $70 for the optional 90-day temporary license. Fees are non-refundable.