If your program is on the list of approved out-of-state
programs, you meet the minimum educational qualification
for licensure by endorsement, and you can proceed with the
endorsement application process.
If your program is on the list of not approved out-of-state
programs, then you do not meet the minimum educational
qualification for licensure by endorsement, and you should
not proceed with the endorsement application process.
If your program is not on either list, you must download the
Out-of-State Nursing Prelicensure Program Substantial
Equivalency Assessment tool under “Nursing Education
Programs” and send it to your nursing program’s Dean or
Director, who should complete the assessment and submit it
to MBON for evaluation.
Have your final official transcripts sent to the Board via a
digital credentialing service only to
If you completed your basic nursing education outside of the
United States, have your transcripts evaluated by the
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
(CGFNS). Contact CGFNS at www.cgfns.org to request a
Credentials Evaluation Service (CES).
Applicants who are unable to prove written and oral
competency in the English language in accordance with
Health Occupation Article, §8-302(e)(2) or (4), Annotated
Code of Maryland, shall submit evidence of proficiency in
listening, reading, speaking, and writing the English
language by obtaining a minimum passing score on one of
the following Board-approved English language competency
examinations:
o Test of English as a Foreign Language
Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) with
minimum passing scores of:
1. Listening — 22;
2. Reading — 22;
3. Speaking — 26; and
4. Writing — 24; or
o International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) with minimum passing
scores of:
1. Listening — 6;
2. Reading — 6;
3. Speaking — 7;
4. Writing — 6; and