How to Become an LPN in Maryland 2026
To become an LPN in Maryland, complete a Maryland Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN exam, and apply for licensure through the MBON. Most approved programs take about a year. Maryland participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so your license provides multi-state practice privileges in other NLC member states.
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Maryland LPNs work across a wide range of settings: nursing homes, home health agencies, hospitals, assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics, and correctional health programs. The Maryland Board of Nursing sets the requirements for initial licensure, renewal, and endorsement. The path to that first license runs through three fixed steps: complete an MBON-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit your application to the Board.
Use the links below to jump to licensing requirements, program information, the application process, and salary data for Maryland LPNs.
- Maryland LPN licensing requirements
- LPN programs in Maryland
- How to apply for your Maryland LPN license
- Nurse Licensure Compact and endorsement
- LPN license renewal in Maryland
- LPN scope of practice in Maryland
- LPN salary and job outlook in Maryland
Maryland LPN Licensing Requirements
The Maryland Board of Nursing requires every LPN applicant to satisfy the following before a license is issued:
- Education — Graduation from an MBON-approved practical nursing program. The Board maintains the official list of approved programs on its website.
- Examination — A passing score on the NCLEX-PN. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE at testing centers. It is not available via remote or at-home proctoring.
- Background check — A criminal background check is required as part of the application. Certain convictions may affect licensure eligibility. The MBON reviews cases with criminal history on an individual basis.
- Application and fee — A completed application submitted to the MBON with the required fee. Check the MBON website for the current fee schedule, as amounts are subject to change.
For a full overview of RN and LPN licensing in Maryland, see the Maryland Board of Nursing licensing guide.
There is no minimum age requirement set by the MBON for LPN licensure, but individual programs may require applicants to be at least 18 at the time of enrollment.
LPN Programs in Maryland
The MBON approves practical nursing programs at community colleges and career and technical schools throughout the state. Graduating from one of the approved LPN programs in Maryland is required to sit for the NCLEX-PN, so verifying approval before enrolling is essential.
Full-time LPN programs in Maryland typically run 12 to 15 months and combine classroom instruction with supervised clinical rotations. Core coursework covers anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, and patient care across settings. Clinical hours take place in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other approved practice sites.
Part-time options exist at some institutions and allow students to complete the program over a longer timeline, which can make it easier to balance school with work or family obligations. A number of Maryland programs are offered in the evenings and on weekends specifically for working adults.
After completing the program, graduates receive official transcripts and a program completion letter, both of which are needed for the MBON application.
How to Apply for Your Maryland LPN License
Once you’ve completed an approved program, the licensing process follows a clear sequence. Here’s how it works:
- Submit your MBON application. Create an account on the MBON’s online licensing portal and complete the initial application. You’ll need to provide identifying information, education history, and responses to background questions.
- Authorize a criminal background check. The MBON requires fingerprinting through an approved vendor as part of the application. Detailed instructions are provided after you submit your initial application.
- Request official transcripts. Your nursing program must submit official transcripts confirming program completion directly to the MBON.
- Register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. After the MBON confirms your eligibility, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) by email. The ATT includes an expiration date set by the MBON — schedule your exam as soon as the ATT arrives, as extensions are not granted.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing sets the passing standard. Results are typically available within 48 hours through the MBON’s Quick Results service.
- Receive your license. After passing, the MBON issues your license. You can verify its status and download a copy through the MBON’s online license lookup tool.
Processing times vary depending on application volume. Check the MBON website for current estimates and any updates to application requirements or fees before you begin.
Nurse Licensure Compact and Endorsement
Maryland is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. LPNs who meet the compact’s primary state of residence requirements receive a multi-state license, which allows practice in other NLC member states without applying for a separate license in each state. As of 2024, more than 40 states participate in the compact.
If your primary state of residence is Maryland and you work across state lines, the multi-state privilege covers those assignments. If you live in another compact state and want to verify your multi-state privileges apply to Maryland, check the NCSBN’s NLC verification tool.
Endorsement in Maryland
LPNs licensed in a non-compact state who want to practice in Maryland must apply for licensure by endorsement. The MBON requires applicants to have obtained their original license by NCLEX examination, submit official transcripts from their nursing program, complete a criminal background check through the state’s fingerprinting process, and verify their existing license through Nursys.com. The endorsement application is submitted through the MBON’s online portal. Processing time for endorsement is longer than for initial licensure by exam, so plan accordingly.
LPN License Renewal in Maryland
Maryland LPN licenses must be renewed every two years. The MBON sends renewal notices by email to the address on file, but it’s the licensee’s responsibility to renew on time. Practicing on a lapsed license is a violation of the Maryland Nurse Practice Act and can result in disciplinary action.
Renewal is completed online through the MBON’s portal. Maryland does not require continuing education hours for LPN renewal. Instead, the MBON requires evidence of 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within a five-year period. Active practice includes direct patient care, supervision, teaching, administration, and other positions requiring nursing knowledge, judgment, and skill. Nurses who cannot meet the practice hour requirement must complete a Board-approved refresher course before renewing to an active license status.
If your license lapses, the MBON has a reinstatement process. Licenses that have been non-renewed or inactive for more than one year require additional steps. Contact the MBON’s RN/LPN Renewals Department directly for current reinstatement guidance.
LPN Scope of Practice in Maryland
Maryland LPNs provide direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. The Maryland Nurse Practice Act defines the scope of practice and sets the boundaries for what LPNs may and may not do independently.
Within their scope, Maryland LPNs can administer medications, perform wound care, collect specimens, monitor vital signs, insert urinary catheters, and carry out treatments ordered by a licensed provider. They document patient observations and report changes in condition to the supervising RN or physician. LPNs are not authorized to perform independent nursing assessments, initiate nursing care plans, or independently interpret assessment findings.
IV therapy is a common point of clarification. Under COMAR 10.27.20, Maryland LPNs may perform peripheral and subcutaneous infusion therapy tasks when an RN is on site or immediately available. However, LPNs generally may not administer medications by IV push. The limited exception is licensed outpatient dialysis facilities, where LPNs may administer IV push medications per physician order under direct RN supervision. This distinction matters when evaluating positions. Confirm IV practice expectations with any employer before accepting a role that involves infusion therapy.
Assisted living, home health, and long-term care settings are the most common workplaces for Maryland LPNs. In these settings, the supervising RN may not be physically present at all times, but a supervision relationship must still exist and be documented. LPNs in these settings also commonly work alongside and supervise certified nursing assistants. For details on the CNA credential, see CNA requirements in Maryland.
LPN Salary and Job Outlook in Maryland
Maryland LPNs earn significantly above the national median. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Maryland was $74,660 as of May 2025, compared to $64,400 nationally. The state employed approximately 9,560 LPNs.
| Area | Mean Annual Wage | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland (statewide) | $74,170 | $74,660 |
| United States (national) | $67,050 | $64,400 |
| Metro Area | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $74,860 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $64,280 |
| Salisbury, MD | $65,730 |
Top earners do better still. Maryland LPNs at the 75th percentile earned $79,670 and those at the 90th percentile earned $90,010 as of May 2025.
Job Outlook
Maryland projects 6.3% LPN job growth between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 650 job openings per year over that period. Job growth is driven in part by an aging population and continued demand in long-term care and home health settings, which remain the largest employers of LPNs in the state.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPN in Maryland?
Most full-time LPN programs in Maryland take 12 to 15 months to complete. After graduating, you’ll need additional time to submit your MBON application, complete the background check process, and schedule and sit for the NCLEX-PN. Budget two to three months beyond graduation for the full licensing process, though timelines vary based on application volume at the MBON.
Does Maryland participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Maryland is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. LPNs whose primary state of residence is Maryland can receive a multi-state license, which permits practice in other NLC member states without applying for a separate license in each one. If you’re licensed in another compact state and Maryland is not your primary state of residence, your existing multi-state license covers practice in Maryland.
What can an LPN do in Maryland?
Maryland LPNs perform direct patient care tasks including medication administration, wound care, vital sign monitoring, specimen collection, and catheter insertion. They document observations and report changes in patient status to a supervising RN or physician. LPNs cannot independently develop nursing care plans or perform nursing assessments without supervision. IV therapy is permitted in Maryland with additional training, but specific procedures depend on the practice setting and facility policy.
How often do Maryland LPN licenses need to be renewed?
Maryland LPN licenses are renewed every two years. Maryland does not require continuing education hours for renewal. Instead, the MBON requires evidence of 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within a five-year period, or completion of a Board-approved refresher course. Renewal is completed online through the MBON’s portal.
Can I transfer my LPN license to Maryland from another state?
Yes. LPNs licensed in another state can apply for licensure by endorsement through the MBON. If you’re already licensed in a Nurse Licensure Compact state and Maryland is your primary state of residence, you may qualify for a multi-state license rather than a separate endorsement. Review the MBON’s endorsement requirements for your specific situation before applying.
Key Takeaways
- Three steps to licensure — Complete an MBON-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit your application to the Maryland Board of Nursing.
- Programs take about a year — Full-time LPN programs in Maryland run 12 to 15 months and combine classroom instruction with clinical rotations.
- Maryland is a compact state — An LPN license issued in Maryland can provide multi-state practice privileges in other NLC member states.
- Salaries are above the national median — Maryland LPNs earned a median annual wage of $74,660 as of May 2025, compared to $64,400 nationally.
- Job demand is steady — Maryland projects 650 average annual LPN job openings between 2022 and 2032, driven by long-term care and home health demand.
Select your state to find MBON-approved LPN programs, application requirements, and licensing information for your jurisdiction.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Data for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061). State data: Maryland. Metro data: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MD, Hagerstown-Martinsburg MD-WV, Salisbury MD. National data included for comparison. Job growth data from the Maryland Department of Labor via BLS state projections, base year 2022, projected year 2032. Data accessed June 2026.