LPN License Requirements in Maine 2026
Maine licenses LPNs through the Maine State Board of Nursing. Candidates must complete a board-approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit an online application including a criminal background check. Maine is a Nurse Licensure Compact member state, so Maine residents can apply for a multistate license covering all other compact states.
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The Maine State Board of Nursing (MBON) oversees LPN licensure from initial application through renewal. The process starts before graduation and moves through exam registration, a fingerprint-based criminal background check, and an online application submitted through the board’s portal. Maine’s LPN scope of practice also includes specific IV therapy rules that are worth understanding before accepting positions with infusion duties.
Use the links below to jump to program requirements, the application process, NCLEX-PN steps, compact license rules, scope of practice, renewal, and salary data for Maine LPNs.
- LPN programs in Maine
- How to apply for LPN licensure
- Taking the NCLEX-PN
- Nurse Licensure Compact
- LPN scope of practice and IV therapy
- License renewal
- LPN salary and job outlook in Maine
LPN Programs in Maine
To qualify for licensure in Maine, you must graduate from a practical nursing program approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing. Programs must meet board-defined curriculum standards covering both theoretical instruction and clinical training. Clinical hours must be completed in person at approved healthcare facilities. An LPN program can’t be completed entirely online.
Maine has a small number of approved programs. Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston offers a one-year Practical Nursing certificate program. For program listings, see our guide to LPN programs in Maine, or check the MBON website directly for the current approved list.
Some LPNs also use the credential as a starting point toward registered nursing. If that’s part of your plan, see our overview of LPN to RN bridge programs.
How to Apply for LPN Licensure in Maine
All LPN applications are submitted online through the Maine State Board of Nursing website. Paper applications are no longer accepted. The board processes applications in the order they’re received and issues the license by email once all requirements are cleared.
The application steps are:
- Go to the MBON website and select “Apply for a License.”
- Upload a recent headshot photo. It must be a color, unedited, full-face image with no filters, hats, glasses, glare, or other people. Passport-style copies and ID badge photos will be rejected.
- Upload the completed Application Signature Page, available in the License by Examination section of the MBON website.
- Upload a Declaration of Primary State of Residence form. The form must reflect your current address. Future-dated forms indicating plans to relocate won’t be accepted.
- Fully disclose any criminal history or prior professional disciplinary action. A signed, dated letter of explanation is required for any yes answers.
- Complete the fingerprint-based criminal background check through IdentoGO, the board’s authorized vendor. Background check results are only valid for 90 days, so coordinate the timing with your exam schedule. The check must be complete before the board issues your license, but you don’t need it in hand before taking the NCLEX-PN.
Applicants graduating from Maine nursing programs must have their program administrator (not the registrar or the applicant) send a completed School Certification Form directly to the board, stamped with the school’s official seal.
Out-of-state graduates must arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly from their school to the Maine State Board of Nursing or submitted electronically via Parchment. Review current application fees on the MBON website before submitting, as fee schedules are subject to change.
Taking the NCLEX-PN
Passing the NCLEX-PN is required before the board will issue your license. Pearson VUE administers the exam. Register at nclex.com and pay the non-refundable registration fee to begin the process.
The board will review your application and issue an Authorization to Test once you’re eligible. The ATT is valid for 90 days and can’t be extended for any reason. Schedule your test date promptly after receiving it. Exam registrations stay open for 365 days, giving the board time to process your eligibility, but once the ATT is issued, the 90-day clock starts.
Internationally educated applicants must have their credentials evaluated through CGFNS. The board only accepts CGFNS credential evaluations. If your education was completed in a language other than English, you’ll also need a passing TOEFL score sent directly to the board.
Nurse Licensure Compact
Maine is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). LPNs who claim Maine as their primary state of residence (PSOR) can apply for a multistate license that allows practice in all other NLC member states under a single license.
PSOR is determined by where you hold legal documents and are permanently domiciled. It has nothing to do with where you own property, attend school, or work. If your PSOR is another compact state, you’re not eligible for Maine licensure. If your PSOR is a non-compact state, you may qualify for a single-state Maine license.
Nurses moving to Maine from another compact state have 60 days to apply for a Maine multistate license after relocating. Submit a Declaration of Primary Residence form after you establish Maine as your PSOR. Visit nursecompact.com for the current list of NLC member states.
LPN Scope of Practice and IV Therapy
Maine defines the LPN scope of practice in a board rule. The IV therapy rules in Chapter 10 of the MBON rules are particularly worth knowing before taking a position with infusion duties.
Chapter 10 divides IV therapy tasks into three categories. The first category covers tasks within every LPN’s baseline scope: adjusting flow rates, observing and documenting adverse reactions, inspecting insertion sites, changing dressings, and removing peripheral IV needles or catheters (midline removal is excluded). The second category covers more advanced tasks an LPN may perform after completing educational training based on the policies and procedures of the employing facility, under on-site RN delegation and supervision. The third category is reserved for RNs only.
Category II tasks include venipuncture to administer IV fluids in the peripheral veins of the upper extremities. That authorization doesn’t extend to midlines, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), or ultrasound-guided peripheral catheters. Category II also covers IV medication administration, PCA cassette changes, and central line dressing and tubing changes, among other tasks.
For the complete breakdown of authorized tasks, review Chapter 10 of the MBON rules on the board’s website.
License Renewal
Maine LPN licenses renew every two years. The expiration date is your birthday in the renewal year. The board doesn’t offer a grace period. A lapsed license means you can’t practice until you resolve the lapsed status with the MBON.
Renewal is completed online through the Maine State Board of Nursing portal. Maine doesn’t require LPNs to complete continuing education hours as a condition of renewal. The renewal process includes updating personal and professional information, attesting to continued competency, and answering compliance questions about current law and regulations.
Review the current renewal fee on the MBON fee schedule before submitting.
LPN Salary and Job Outlook in Maine
Maine LPNs earned a median annual wage of $73,200 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. LPNs at the 75th percentile earned $77,420, and those at the 90th percentile earned $82,600.
| Wage Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) | $73,200 |
| 75th percentile | $77,420 |
| 90th percentile | $82,600 |
Projections Central forecasts 2.1% employment growth for LPNs in Maine between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 80 job openings per year. That’s a modest growth rate, but Maine’s older population and aging healthcare workforce continue to generate consistent demand for LPNs in long-term care and rehabilitation settings.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Maine State Board of Nursing regulate?
The MBON licenses RNs and LPNs, approves nursing education programs, and investigates complaints against licensees. It doesn’t process CNA applications. For certified nursing assistant requirements and registry questions, see our guide to becoming a CNA in Maine or contact the Maine CNA Registry directly.
Does Maine require continuing education for LPN license renewal?
No. Maine LPNs don’t need to complete a set number of continuing education hours to renew their license. Renewal requires attesting to continued competency and paying the renewal fee. Check with the board before each renewal cycle, as requirements are subject to change.
Can I transfer my LPN license from another state to Maine?
Yes. Maine accepts LPN applications by endorsement for nurses licensed in other states. If your original state participates in Nursys, you must complete Nursys verification and pay their $30 fee. If not, your original state board must send verification directly to the Maine State Board of Nursing. Review the current LPN endorsement requirements on the MBON website for the full document checklist.
How does the Nurse Licensure Compact work for Maine LPNs?
Maine LPN multistate licenses allow practice in all other NLC member states without a separate license in each state. To qualify, Maine must be your primary state of residence. Nurses who move to Maine from another compact state should file a Declaration of Primary Residence form with the board after relocating to convert their license to a Maine multistate license.
What IV therapy tasks require additional training for Maine LPNs?
Under Chapter 10 of the MBON rules, certain Category II IV tasks require facility-based educational training before you can perform them. These include venipuncture for peripheral IV access in the upper extremities, under on-site RN delegation and supervision. Basic Category I tasks are within the standard LPN scope. Some tasks are Category III and reserved for RNs only. Review Chapter 10 on the MBON website for the full breakdown of authorized tasks.
Key Takeaways
- The MBON handles all LPN licensing — applications, program approvals, and renewals are all managed through the Maine State Board of Nursing’s online portal.
- A board-approved program is required — Maine has a small number of approved practical nursing programs. Graduation from one is a condition of eligibility for the NCLEX-PN.
- The ATT is only valid for 90 days — once the MBON issues your Authorization to Test, schedule your NCLEX-PN date promptly. Extensions aren’t available.
- Maine is an NLC member — Maine residents can apply for a multistate license covering all compact states. Your primary state of residence determines eligibility.
- IV therapy has three categories under Chapter 10 — Category I tasks are in the baseline LPN scope. Category II tasks require facility-based training and on-site RN delegation and supervision. Category III is RN only.
Select your state to find approved LPN programs, application steps, and licensing requirements for your location.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.