Is your nursing license or certification about to expire?
Are you wondering what the CE requirements are for the type of nursing license you have in Maryland?
Luckily, you found us!
In this article, we will discuss the requirements needed to be eligible for a license or certification renewal in Maryland.
Are you ready? Let’s go!
Maryland Nursing CE Requirements
Don’t have time to read the entire article? Here’s everything you need to know:
| CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) | Continuing education is NOT required for CNAs. CNAs must show proof of 16 hours of active nursing assistant practice within the past two years OR complete a nursing assistant refresher training program. The expiration of your certificate is every 28th of your birth month. |
| LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) | If renewing active license: (i) 1,000 practice hours within the 5 previous years OR (ii) Completion of Board-approved nursing program within the past 5 years OR (iii) complete 30 CEUs within the 24 months preceding renewal You need to renew your license every 2 years, according to this schedule: 1. LPNs with an odd-numbered birth year shall always renew in an odd-numbered year not later than the 28th day of your birth month; and 2. LPNs with an even-numbered birth year shall renew in an even-numbered year not later than the 28th day of your birth month. |
| RN (Registered Nurse) | If renewing active license: (i) 1,000 practice hours within the 5 previous years OR (ii) Completion of Board-approved nursing program within the past 5 years OR (iii) complete 30 CEUs within the 24 months preceding renewal You need to renew your license every 2 years, according to this schedule: 1. RNs with an odd-numbered birth year shall always renew in an odd-numbered year not later than the 28th day of your birth month; and 2. RNs with an even-numbered birth year shall renew in an even-numbered year not later than the 28th day of your birth month. |
| APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) | Continuing education is NOT required for APRNs. Must maintain and provide proof of current approved national certification Certification as an APRN expires at the same time as your RN license (every 2 years) |
If you want MORE information, continue reading!
Maryland CNA Continuing Education Requirements
CNAs in Maryland are not required to take continuing education.
However, you should maintain an active practice in Maryland. You must show proof of at least 16 hours of active nursing assistant practice within the past two years.
If you did not work as a CNA in the past two years, then you can complete a nursing assistant refresher training program approved by the Maryland BON.
The expiration date of your certification is every 2 years, on the 28th day of your birth month. CNAs must renew their certifications online on the Maryland Board of Nursing website at least 60 days before or 30 days after the expiration date.
Didn’t get the chance to renew your certification before the deadline?
You should contact the Maryland Board of Nursing (Nursing Assistant Certification Program) at 410-585-2041.
Maryland LPN Continuing Education Requirements
As for LPNs in Maryland, they are not necessarily required to take continuing nursing education. Instead, they have an option to satisfy any of the 3 requirements:
- Practice 1,000 hours signed by an employer for the past 5 years; OR
- Complete a Board-approved nursing education program for the past 5 years; OR
- Complete 30 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) within the 2-year renewal
If you complete one of these, you’ll already be eligible to renew your LPN license.
As for the expiration date, it will expire every 28th day of your birth month. The year will depend on your birth year.
If you were born on an even-numbered year, then your license will also expire on even-numbered years. If you were born on an odd-numbered year, then your license will expire on odd-numbered years.
For example, if you were born on March 4, 1996, your expiration date will be March 28 every even-numbered year. In turn, if you were born in an odd-numbered year, then it will expire on March 28 every odd-numbered year.
Now, license renewal can be done online or by mail at least 90 days before the expiration date.
Maryland RN Continuing Education Requirements
Just like LPNs, RNs have a choice for their license renewal requirements. These are:
- 1,000 practice hours signed by an employer for the past 5 years; OR
- Completion of Board-approved nursing education program within the past 5 years; OR
- Completion of approved or awarded 30 CEUs within the 24 months preceding renewal
If you choose the 3rd option, then know that 16 out of the 30 hours should be on forensic science forensic nursing.
And, like LPNs, the expiration date will depend on the year you were born. So if you were born in an even-numbered year, your license will expire on the 28th of your birth month, every even-numbered year.
License renewals are done at least 60 days prior to the expiration date. Maryland offers a grace period of 30 days.
Maryland APRN Continuing Education Requirements
Good news for APRNs in Maryland—you’re not required to take continuing nursing education!
To meet the renewal requirements, APRNs must maintain an active and current national certification every 2 years.
Your APRN license expires at the same time as your RN license (every 2 years). So you must renew your RN license first so that it will be active when you renew your APRN license.
FAQs
Where can I check the status of my license in Maryland?
You can check the status of your nursing license on the Maryland Board of Nursing License Verification website.
How to renew an inactive nursing license in Maryland?
Working with an inactive or expired nursing license is a criminal act and can result in suspension, probation, or fines.
To restore an inactive license, you must submit a petition for reinstatement to the Board. The petition must include:
- A completed renewal application form
- Proof of compliance with the minimal practice requirements
- Proof of completed criminal background check
- Renewal fee
- Supporting documents to address conduct that resulted in the suspension of license, if applicable
Once all requirements are delivered, the Maryland Board of Nursing will review the documents and evidence submitted.
The Board has the right to approve or deny reinstatement or reinstate the license with conditions including a probationary period.
Is Maryland a compact nursing state?
Yes! In fact, Maryland was the first to join the NLC in 1999. Multistate license holders are able to practice in any of the 25 NLC participating states without having to get additional licensing requirements.
Conclusion
That’s what you need to know about license renewal in Maryland!
As you can see, Maryland DOES NOT require continuing nursing education. However, you must ensure that you have a current national certification to continue practicing.
And to do that, LPNs and RNs can select from 3 different options, while APRNs have to make sure that they hold an active and current national certification.
Hopefully, this article has helped you with your concerns regarding nursing CE requirements in Maryland.
If your expiration date is fast approaching, you should start with your requirements right away!
Last updated: April 5, 2023 (Requirements taken from Maryland BON website)