Maine Nursing License: Lookup, Renewal, CE, and Fees
Maine is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. RNs renew every 2 years with no continuing education hours required, and pass the NCLEX-RN.
Look up a Maine nursing license
The lookup runs on Maine's state licensing portal, which covers RNs alongside other licensed professions. Nursys Quick Confirm is a free national check you can use as a second source.
Maine State Board of Nursing (Department of Professional and Financial Regulation) · read 2026-09-02 · a dash means the board publishes no figure
Renewal and continuing education in Maine
Maine RN licenses renew every two years, on or before the licensee's birthday, under state law. The board's own FAQ notes that the first renewal after initial licensure can fall sooner than a full two-year cycle. Renewal does not require continuing education hours; the board lists no CE requirement for licensees. The profile does not state what happens to a lapsed license, so nurses should confirm that directly with the board.
The renewal fee is $75, the same as the $75 initial license fee. This is the board's renewal charge alone; costs tied to first-time licensure, such as the NCLEX-RN exam through Pearson VUE and the IdentoGO fingerprint-based background check, are separate and are not part of the renewal fee itself. The board does not list any additional renewal-specific charges beyond the $75 fee.
How much does a Maine RN license cost?
Board fees exclude exam registration and fingerprinting · Maine board fee schedule ↗ · read 2026-09-02
Moving to Maine: endorsement and temporary permits
Maine has belonged to the Nurse Licensure Compact since January 19, 2018. A registered nurse who declares Maine as their primary state of residence can hold a multistate license, letting them practice in other compact states without a separate license for each one. A nurse whose primary state of residence is a different compact state is not eligible for a Maine license; declaring Maine as the primary state of residence is required for a Maine multistate license.
Endorsement into Maine is handled online for a $75 non-refundable fee, along with a compliant headshot photo. Applicants complete an IdentoGO fingerprint-based criminal background check for $52, with results valid for 90 days, and licensure verification through Nursys for $30, or directly from the licensing board if that board does not use Nursys. The board does not mention a temporary permit or jurisprudence exam. Foreign-educated applicants need a TruMerit (CGFNS) credential report and a TOEFL score unless they passed the NCLEX in English.
Education and exam for an RN license in Maine
To become licensed as an RN in Maine, candidates must complete a nursing education program; the board's documents do not specify a particular degree type such as an associate, bachelor's, or diploma program. Maine-program graduates submit a mailed School Certification Form, while out-of-state graduates submit an official transcript showing the degree earned. All candidates must then pass the NCLEX-RN, administered through Pearson VUE. Maine does not require a separate state law or jurisprudence exam for RN licensure by examination.
What do RNs earn in Maine?
BLS OES May 2025 · 16,540 RNs employed in Maine · RN salary in Maine by city →
Nearby states
| State | Compact | Renewal | CE per cycle | Initial fee | Lookup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | Yes | Every 2 years | None | $75 | Verify |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Every 2 years | 30 hours | $116 | Verify |
Official boards of nursing · read 2026-09-02
Sources
- Maine State Board of Nursing (Department of Professional and Financial Regulation) ↗licensure, renewal, CE, and fee rulesmedium confidence
- maine.gov/boardofnursing/licensure/fees-fines
- maine.gov/boardofnursing/licensure/licensing-by-examination
- maine.gov/boardofnursing/sites/boardofnursing/files/2026-06/RN%20licen…
- maine.gov/boardofnursing/sites/boardofnursing/files/archive/Endorsemen…
- maine.gov/boardofnursing/licensure/license-faqs
- maine.gov/boardofnursing/licensure/license-renewal-reactivation
- Nursys ↗ national license verification
- BLS OES May 2025 Maine RN wages and employment
Read 2026-09-02. Rules and fees change; confirm with the board before acting.