Maine LPN License: Lookup, Renewal, CE, and Fees

Maine belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, effective January 19, 2018. For an LPN moving to Maine, this means that once Maine becomes the nurse's declared primary state of residence, a Maine license can serve as a multistate license valid to practice in other compact states. A nurse whose primary state of residence is a different compact state is not eligible for Maine licensure and must instead look to that state.

Endorsement applicants apply online for $50 with a compliant headshot and complete an IdentoGO fingerprint-based background check for $52, valid 90 days. Licensure must be verified through Nursys for $30, or directly from the applicant's board if that board does not use Nursys. The board's PN requirements list no state law or jurisprudence exam. Foreign-educated applicants need a TruMerit (CGFNS) CES report and a TOEFL score unless they passed the NCLEX in English. The board does not state whether it issues temporary permits.

Maine requires graduation from a Board-approved practical nursing program. Graduates of Maine programs need a School Certification Form completed and mailed by their program, while out-of-state graduates submit an official transcript. Candidates then take the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE, with registration staying open for 365 days; the board's PN licensure-by-examination requirements include no separate state law or jurisprudence exam. Foreign-educated applicants need a TruMerit (CGFNS) CES report and a TOEFL score unless they passed the NCLEX in English.