How to Fill Out the Maryland Nurse Practitioner License Application (w/ Examples) + FAQs

The Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) Application for Advanced Practice Certification is the form every nurse who wants to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP/APRN) in Maryland must complete and submit to the Board’s Advanced Practice Unit. It is the document that turns a licensed registered nurse into a state-certified nurse practitioner with the legal right to diagnose, treat, and prescribe in Maryland.

If even one piece of this packet is missing or wrong, your application stops moving. The Board will not process an incomplete file, and a single skipped transcript, an unsigned residence form, or a missing fingerprint receipt can add weeks to a process that already takes two to four weeks when it goes smoothly. According to the MBON application instructions, the Board asks you to allow approximately 2–4 weeks for processing, and it warns plainly that incomplete applications will require additional processing time.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

• 📝 How to fill out every box on the certification application, line by line, with real sample entries
• 📂 Which documents to gather before you start so your packet does not get held
• 👩‍⚕️ How the 18-month mentor rule works and exactly where to enter your mentor’s name and license number
• 💳 What the application costs, how to pay, and where to mail or hand-deliver your packet
• ❓ Answers to the field-level questions that confuse new grads and out-of-state nurses the most

This guide uses the current MBON advanced practice application, with instructions last updated 12/12/2024 on the Board’s nurse practitioner page. Always check that page before you file so you have the newest version.

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

The Maryland CRNP/APRN application is a state certification form, not a brand-new nursing license. You must already hold an active RN license, or be in the process of getting one in Maryland, before this form means anything. The form sits on top of your RN credential and adds advanced practice authority in a specific population focus, such as family, pediatric, or psychiatric mental health.

Anyone who wants to work as a nurse practitioner in Maryland must file it. That includes new graduates fresh out of a Board-approved NP program, nurses moving to Maryland from another state, and current Maryland NPs who want to add a second certification area. The legal authority for the form comes from the Maryland Annotated Code, Health Occupations Article, Section 8-205 and the regulations governing nurse practitioners at COMAR 10.27.07.

The Board that receives and reviews the form is the Maryland Board of Nursing, working through its Advanced Practice Unit at 4140 Patterson Avenue in Baltimore. The Board checks your education, your national certification, your background, and your residence, and only then issues your CRNP number. If you practice as an NP before this certification is granted, you are practicing outside your scope, which can trigger discipline against your RN license.

Three pieces work together here: the statute (Section 8-205) requires the certification, the regulation (COMAR 10.27.07) sets the standards you must meet, and the Board enforces both. The deadline is practical rather than fixed: you cannot work as an NP until the certification is granted, so most people file the moment they pass their national exam. The penalty for getting it wrong is delay at best and discipline at worst.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather everything below before you open the application. The Board reviews your packet as a whole, so one missing item freezes the entire file. Think of this as a pre-flight checklist for your career.

• Active RN license or compact license. You need a current Maryland RN number, a current compact-state RN license, or an endorsement application in progress, because the certification rides on top of your RN credential. Without it, the Board has nothing to certify.
• Sealed official transcripts. Your NP program must send sealed transcripts straight to the Board, and they must show advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced physical assessment. Missing these three courses stops your file cold.
• Copy of current national certification. You need a copy of your certificate from an accepted board such as ANCC, AANP, PNCB, or NCC, or a letter of eligibility for graduate status. Without proof of certification, you do not qualify.
• Fingerprint card copy or receipt. A criminal history records check is required, so keep a copy of your fingerprint card or your Maryland receipt with a tracking number. No background check means no certification.
• Declaration of Residence form. This form names your legal state of residence and must carry your original signature. Leaving it out is one of the most common reasons packets bounce back.
• State ID or driver’s license copy. You must attach a copy of your photo ID so the state on your ID matches the residence you declare. A mismatch raises a flag and delays review.
• Mentor’s name and Maryland license number. If you have never been certified as an NP anywhere, you need a Maryland NP or physician mentor with at least three years in good standing. No mentor means no certification for first-time NPs.
• Your Social Security number and date of birth. The Board uses these to verify identity and run your background check. A wrong digit can route your file to the wrong record.
• The $50 application fee. You pay $50 for your first certification or $25 for each extra area, by check or money order to the Maryland Board of Nursing. The Board will not process the form without payment.

If any single item is missing, expect a hold. The Board states clearly that if your program has not been approved your application will not be processed until approval has been obtained, so confirm your school is on the approved NP programs list before you mail anything.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official application lives on the MBON website. You download the Application for Certification to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner directly from the Board’s advanced practice page. Do not use a copy you found on a third-party blog, because those are often outdated and may be missing the current background questions.

From the same nurse practitioner index page, you also grab the companion forms you will likely need. These include the Nurse Practitioner Graduate Supervision Agreement for graduate status applicants and the Nurse Practitioner Program Approval Form if your school is not yet on the approved list. The Declaration of Residence form is built into the application PDF itself, as the final page.

If you also need a Maryland RN license, you start that separately through the NETS online portal. RN licensure by endorsement is handled online, while the CRNP certification application is a paper packet you print, sign, and mail. The two processes run in parallel, and your CRNP file will not finish until your RN status is settled.

Print the form on plain white paper and fill it out in black ink, or type your answers into the PDF fields before printing. Either way, you must sign the form by hand where original signatures are required. The Board specifically asks for an original signature on the Declaration of Residence, so a typed name there is not enough.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Maryland CRNP Application Line by Line

The application has several distinct parts: the identification block, the discipline questions, the background questions, the signature, the certification-type page, the education block, the mentor block, the affirmation, and the Declaration of Residence. Complete every part in order, and never leave a field blank. A blank box reads as an unanswered question, and the Board treats unanswered questions as an incomplete application.

1. NAME (Last, First, Middle or Maiden)

This field asks for your full legal name, split into last name, first name, and middle or maiden name. Write your name exactly as it appears on your RN license and your national certification, because the Board cross-checks all three. Use the order printed on the form, with your last name first.

For example, Maria Elena Lopez writes LOPEZ in the last box, MARIA in the first box, and ELENA in the middle box. If your certification still shows a maiden name you no longer use, enter the maiden name in the middle field so the records match.

A common edge case is a recent name change after marriage or divorce. If your RN license shows your new name but your transcript shows your old one, attach a copy of your marriage certificate or court order so the Board can link the documents. The most common mistake here is entering a nickname or shortened name, which creates a mismatch that puts your file on hold while staff sort out who you are. Many applicants wrongly believe the Board will “figure it out” from context, but the system matches names exactly, and a Liz where your license says Elizabeth can stall everything.

2. ADDRESS (Number and Street, City, State, Zip Code)

This field asks for the mailing address where the Board will send every letter about your application. Write a full, current address where you reliably receive mail, because the form warns that all correspondence goes to this address unless you send written notice of a change. Use your street number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code.

For example, David Nguyen enters 742 Evergreen Terrace on the street line, then Baltimore, MD, and 21215 below. If you move during the two-to-four week review, send the Board written notice right away so approval letters do not go to your old place.

A frequent edge case is using a P.O. Box. A P.O. Box is fine for mail, but the Declaration of Residence still needs a real residential address, so do not use a box there. The most common mistake is listing an address you are about to leave, which means your certificate or a request for missing documents never reaches you and your file quietly stalls. Some applicants assume email updates replace a mailing address, but the Board relies on postal mail for official notices, so the address must be accurate.

3. MARYLAND RN LICENSE # (or PENDING)

This field asks for your Maryland RN license number, or for you to mark PENDING if you do not have one yet. Write your Maryland RN number if you hold one, or check the PENDING box if your RN endorsement is still in process. The Board needs to tie your CRNP certification to an active RN credential.

For example, Maria Lopez, who already holds a Maryland RN license, writes R123456 in the box. David Nguyen, who is endorsing in from Virginia and has not yet received his Maryland number, marks PENDING instead.

A key edge case is the compact-license holder. If you live in a compact state and hold a current compact RN license, you do not need a Maryland number, but you must attach a copy of that compact license, as the instructions require. The most common mistake is leaving this field blank with no PENDING mark, which makes the Board unable to match your file to any RN record and triggers a request for more information. People often think a compact license must be “converted” to a Maryland number first, but a valid compact license lets you apply directly.

4. DATE OF BIRTH and SOCIAL SECURITY

This field asks for your date of birth and your Social Security number. Write your date of birth in month, day, and year, and enter your nine-digit Social Security number in the three-part box. The Board uses both to confirm your identity and to run your criminal history records check.

For example, Maria Lopez writes 03/14/1985 for her date of birth and fills in 123-45-6789 across the three Social Security segments. Keep the spacing exactly as the boxes show, with the dashes already printed on the form.

An edge case arises if you do not have a Social Security number, which can happen for some international graduates. Contact the Board’s Advanced Practice Unit before filing, since they will tell you what alternate identifier to use. The most common mistake is transposing two digits in the Social Security number, which sends your background check to the wrong record and bounces the result back to the Board. Some applicants worry this number is optional for privacy reasons, but it is required by statute for the background check and cannot be skipped.

5. WORK TELEPHONE, HOME/CELL TELEPHONE, and E-MAIL ADDRESS

This field asks for the phone numbers and email where the Board can reach you quickly. Write a daytime work number, a personal cell number, and an email address you check often. The Board uses these when something needs a fast fix rather than a mailed letter.

For example, David Nguyen enters his clinic line as his work number, his cell as (410) 555-0182, and his personal email dnguyen.np@email.com so he sees Board messages right away. Use a personal email rather than a soon-to-expire school address.

An edge case is a brand-new graduate with no work number yet. Leave the work line blank only if you truly have no job number, and make sure your cell and email are correct so the Board can still reach you. The most common mistake is listing a school email that gets shut off after graduation, which means urgent requests vanish into a dead inbox. People often assume the Board only mails letters, but staff frequently email about missing items, so a live email speeds everything up.

6. DISCIPLINE QUESTIONS (Misdemeanor, Felony, Disciplinary Action)

This part asks three yes-or-no questions about your record: whether you have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, a felony, or had disciplinary action taken against your license in any state. Mark YES or NO honestly for each line. The Board verifies your answers against your national background check, so honesty is not optional.

For example, Maria Lopez, who has a clean record, marks NO on all three lines. Janet Rivera, who received probation before judgment on a misdemeanor years ago, marks YES on the misdemeanor line and attaches a detailed explanation letter with court documents.

A vital edge case is probation before judgment, often called PBJ. The form makes clear that a guilty plea for which a PBJ was received still counts as a yes, so do not treat a PBJ as if it never happened. The most common mistake is answering NO to hide an old charge, which the background check uncovers anyway and which turns a minor matter into a serious credibility problem. Many people wrongly believe an expunged or dismissed case never needs disclosure, but the Board’s questions are broad, so when in doubt, disclose and explain.

7. BACKGROUND QUESTIONS (Items 1 through 5)

This part asks five detailed background questions covering any criminal act, any drug-related conviction, any denied or disciplined health care license, any non-disciplinary monitoring program, and any license surrendered while under investigation. Check Yes or No on each numbered question. These go deeper than the discipline block and demand the same complete honesty.

For example, David Nguyen answers No to all five because he has a clean professional history. Marcus Allen, who once entered a nurse monitoring program for a substance issue, answers Yes to question 4 and attaches a detailed letter plus official program documents.

A frequent edge case involves out-of-state discipline that you think Maryland will not see. The Board’s national database reaches across states, so a license action in another state must be disclosed even if it feels far away. The most common mistake is answering these from memory and missing an old action, which reads as concealment once the records arrive. People often assume “non-disciplinary” programs do not count, but question 4 specifically asks about monitoring and remediation, so those must be reported too.

8. APPLICANT SIGNATURE (After Background Questions)

This field asks for your signature and the date, right after the background section. Sign your name by hand and write the date you sign. Your signature certifies that your background answers are true.

For example, Janet Rivera signs in cursive and writes 06/04/2026 beside it on the day she completes the packet. Do not pre-date or post-date this line.

An edge case is filing electronically, but this paper form needs a wet-ink signature, so print the page and sign it. The most common mistake is leaving this signature blank because applicants think the final affirmation signature covers everything, which it does not, and an unsigned background section invalidates your disclosures. Some people believe a typed name counts as a signature here, but the Board wants an actual handwritten signature on this line.

9. ADVANCED PRACTICE CERTIFICATION TYPE(S) APPLYING FOR

This part asks you to check the population focus you are certified in, such as Family, Pediatric Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health, Adult Gerontology Primary Care, or others. Check only the box that matches your national certification, and attach a copy of that certification. Your checked box must line up exactly with your certifying exam.

For example, Maria Lopez, a family nurse practitioner, checks FAMILY and attaches her AANP certificate. David Nguyen, certified in psychiatric mental health, checks PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH and attaches his ANCC certificate.

A common edge case is adding a second area later, such as a family NP who later certifies in psychiatric mental health. You file a separate application for each area and pay $25 for each additional certification. The most common mistake is checking a box that does not match your certificate, which the Board catches when it compares the two and which sends your file back. Many applicants think one application can cover two specialties, but the instructions require a separate application for each certification you are applying for.

10. ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE PROGRAM (School, Degree, Year)

This part asks for your NP program details: the name of your school, its address, the degree or certificate conferred, and your year of graduation. Write the exact name of the program as it appears on your transcript, then check whether you earned a Masters, Post-Masters, or DNP. The Board matches this against the approved programs list and your sealed transcript.

For example, Maria Lopez writes University of Maryland School of Nursing, checks MASTERS, and enters 2025 as her graduation year. She also confirms her school is on the approved NP programs list before filing.

A key edge case is attending more than one school to become an NP, in which case you must submit a sealed transcript from each program. The most common mistake is naming a program that is not yet Board-approved, which freezes your file until your school submits the NP Program Approval Form. Applicants often assume any accredited school automatically qualifies, but Maryland must approve the specific program, title, and degree type before it will certify you.

11. MENTOR’S NAME and LICENSE NUMBER

This part asks whether you have ever been certified as an NP in any state, and if not, it asks for your mentor’s name and Maryland license number. Check YES or NO, and if no, enter a qualifying mentor. Under COMAR 10.27.07.03.B(3)(c), first-time NPs need a mentor for 18 months from the application date.

For example, Maria Lopez, a new grad, marks NO and writes her mentor Dr. Susan Patel, R-NP license number N045678, a Maryland NP with eight years of experience. Her mentor must be a physician or NP licensed in Maryland in good standing with three or more years of clinical experience.

A common edge case is an out-of-state NP with years of experience but no prior certification recognized here; if you have never been formally certified, you still need a mentor. The most common mistake is naming a mentor who does not meet the three-year, good-standing rule, which voids the requirement and stalls your file. Many new grads wrongly think the mentor must directly supervise every patient, but the role is mentorship over 18 months, not constant on-site oversight.

12. FINAL AFFIRMATION (Legal Name, Signature, Date)

This field asks you to type your legal name into the affirmation sentence, then sign and date it. Type your full legal name in the blank, sign by hand, and write the date. This affirms that everything on the form is true and complete.

For example, David Nguyen types David Minh Nguyen into the blank, signs in ink, and dates it 06/04/2026. The form warns that providing false or misleading information may result in disciplinary action by the Board.

An edge case is signing on behalf of someone else, which is not allowed; only the applicant may sign. The most common mistake is leaving the typed legal name blank while only signing, which leaves the affirmation incomplete. Some applicants think this signature is a formality, but it is a sworn statement, and false answers here can cost you your license.

13. DECLARATION OF RESIDENCE (Final Page)

This separate page asks for your name, current mailing address, nursing license number, issuing state, and your declared legal state of residence, with an original signature. Fill in every line, declare your home state, and sign by hand. You must also attach a copy of your state ID or driver’s license.

For example, Maria Lopez declares Maryland as her legal residence, lists her Maryland RN number, signs in ink, and attaches a copy of her Maryland driver’s license. Her ID state matches her declared state, exactly as required.

A common edge case is military members and spouses, who must also include a copy of the military 2058 form as proof of residence. The most common mistake is a typed signature or a missing ID copy, which the Board rejects because it specifically asks for an original signature and a matching photo ID. People often assume their home state does not matter, but it determines whether you need a Maryland RN license or can rely on a compact license, so declare it carefully.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Below are three common filers walked through the form from start to finish. Each shows what that person enters in the main sections so you can see how the pieces fit together.

Scenario A: Maria Lopez, New-Grad Family NP in Maryland

Maria just finished her FNP program at a Maryland school and passed her AANP exam. She already holds a Maryland RN license and lives in Baltimore.

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Name	LOPEZ, MARIA, ELENA
Address	742 Evergreen Terrace, Baltimore, MD 21215
Maryland RN License #	R123456
Date of Birth / SSN	03/14/1985 / 123-45-6789
Discipline questions	NO on all three lines
Certification type	Checks FAMILY, attaches AANP certificate
NP program	University of Maryland School of Nursing, MASTERS, 2025
Mentor	NO to prior certification; mentor Dr. Susan Patel, N045678
Declaration of Residence	Declares Maryland, attaches MD driver’s license
Fee	$50 check to Maryland Board of Nursing

Scenario B: David Nguyen, Out-of-State Psych Mental Health NP

David is a PMHNP moving from Virginia. He holds a Virginia compact RN license and is endorsing into Maryland.

Form Section	What David Enters
Name	NGUYEN, DAVID, MINH
Address	118 Harbor View Dr, Alexandria, VA 22301
Maryland RN License #	Marks PENDING (endorsement in process)
Compact license	Attaches copy of Virginia compact RN license
Discipline questions	NO on all three lines
Certification type	Checks PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH, attaches ANCC certificate
NP program	Out-of-state program, confirmed Board-approved, MASTERS, 2023
Mentor	NO to prior MD certification; lists qualifying MD mentor
Declaration of Residence	Declares Virginia, attaches VA driver’s license
Fee	$50 money order to Maryland Board of Nursing

Scenario C: Janet Rivera, Adding a Second Certification Area

Janet is already a Maryland-certified family NP. She recently earned psychiatric mental health certification and wants to add it.

Form Section	What Janet Enters
Name	RIVERA, JANET, MARIE
Address	55 Lakeside Ave, Rockville, MD 20850
Maryland RN License #	R654321
Discipline questions	YES on misdemeanor (old PBJ), attaches explanation letter
Certification type	Checks PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH, attaches new certificate
NP program	Post-master’s certificate program, POST-MASTERS, 2026
Prior certification	YES (already certified as FNP), no new mentor needed
Declaration of Residence	Declares Maryland, attaches MD ID
Fee	$25 check for additional certification area
Separate application	Files a brand-new application just for this area

How to File the Completed Form

You file the CRNP certification application by mail or in person, and you start any needed RN licensure online. The certification application itself is a paper packet, so plan to print, sign, and send it. Keep copies of everything you submit.

• By mail. Send your full packet, including the signed application, Declaration of Residence, transcripts arrangement, certification copy, fingerprint copy, and fee, to the Maryland Board of Nursing, Advanced Practice Unit, 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215. Pay the $50 fee for your first area or $25 per added area by check or money order payable to the Maryland Board of Nursing. Use a trackable mail service and keep the tracking receipt as your proof of filing.
• In person. You may pay the fee and drop off your packet in the lobby at the Patterson Avenue address, as the instructions note you can pay in the lobby. Bring a check or money order, since cash handling is limited, and ask for a date-stamped copy as proof.
• Transcripts. Have your school mail sealed official transcripts to the Board or send them electronically to mbon.advpractranscripts@maryland.gov. The transcript must show advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced physical assessment.
• RN licensure online. If you need a Maryland RN license by endorsement, complete that through the NETS online portal and request verification through Nursys. This runs alongside your CRNP packet.

Processing takes about two to four weeks for a complete file. Keep your tracking number, a copy of your check, and a full copy of your packet so you can prove what you sent and when if anything goes missing.

What Happens After You File

After the Board receives your packet, staff review it for completeness and verify each piece. They confirm your RN status, match your transcript and certification, check your background results, and confirm your program is approved. If everything lines up, the Board issues your CRNP/APRN certification.

If something is missing, the Board contacts you using the address or email you provided, which is why accurate contact fields matter. Common holds include a transcript that has not arrived, a program awaiting approval, or a background check still in process. The Board states that incomplete applications will require additional processing time, so a single gap can stretch the timeline well past four weeks.

Once certified, you receive your CRNP number and may begin practicing within your population focus. If you are a first-time NP, your 18-month mentor requirement begins on your application date, so track that window. Keep your national certification current, because your Maryland certification depends on it staying active.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Each mistake below has a direct consequence. Read them before you mail your packet.

• Leaving a box blank. The Board treats unanswered fields as incomplete and holds your file.
• Name mismatch across documents. A nickname or old name that differs from your license delays identity matching.
• Wrong Social Security digit. A transposed number sends your background check to the wrong record.
• Hiding an old charge or PBJ. The background check finds it anyway and turns a small issue into a credibility problem.
• Listing a dying school email. Urgent Board messages vanish after graduation cuts off the account.
• Naming a program not Board-approved. Your file freezes until your school submits the approval form.
• Forgetting sealed transcripts. Loose or photocopied transcripts do not count, and your file stalls.
• Checking the wrong certification box. A box that does not match your certificate gets your file kicked back.
• Skipping the mentor for a first-time NP. Without a qualifying mentor, the Board cannot certify you.
• Typed signature on the Declaration of Residence. The Board requires an original ink signature and rejects typed names.
• Missing ID copy or mismatched residence state. A residence claim with no matching ID raises a flag and delays review.
• Sending the original fingerprint card to the Board. You attach a copy and mail the original to CJIS, or your check fails.

Do’s and Don’ts

These quick rules keep your packet clean and moving.

• Do write your name exactly as it appears on your RN license, because the Board matches all your records by name.
• Do confirm your NP program is on the approved list first, since an unapproved program halts processing.
• Do use a permanent address and a personal email, so Board notices actually reach you.
• Do disclose any past charge or discipline, because honesty protects your credibility when records arrive.
• Do keep copies of your full packet and your mailing receipt, so you can prove what you filed.
• Do file a separate application and fee for each certification area, as the Board requires.
• Don’t leave any field blank, because blanks read as incomplete and trigger a hold.
• Don’t send original transcripts opened by you, since the Board needs sealed transcripts straight from the school.
• Don’t name a mentor who lacks three years in good standing, because that voids the requirement.
• Don’t mail the original fingerprint card to the Board, since the original goes to CJIS and the copy goes to the Board.
• Don’t use a typed signature where an original is required, because the Board rejects it.
• Don’t wait until you move to file, since your certificate could land at an old address.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Most new grads file this packet themselves, and many succeed. Still, some choose help from a school advisor, a credentialing service, or an experienced colleague. Here is how the two paths compare.

Filing on Your Own	Filing With Help
Free beyond the $50 fee, since you do all the work yourself	Costs more if you use a paid credentialing service
You learn the process, which helps at renewal and when adding areas	You save time, which matters when starting a job soon
Full control over timing and document order	A second set of eyes catches blank fields and mismatches
Direct contact with the Board builds your own record	Experienced helpers know which holds are most common
Simple for a clean record and a Board-approved program	Worth it for complex cases like past discipline or multiple schools

If your situation is simple, a clean record, a Maryland program, and a current RN license, filing yourself is usually quick. If you have a disciplinary history, attended more than one program, or are endorsing from out of state, a knowledgeable helper can save you weeks. Either way, you sign your own affirmation, so you remain responsible for every answer.

FAQs

Do I need a Maryland RN license before I apply as a nurse practitioner?

Yes. You need an active Maryland RN license, a current compact-state license, or a pending endorsement, because the CRNP certification rides on top of your RN credential.

Do new graduates really need a mentor?

Yes. First-time NPs need a Maryland NP or physician mentor with three or more years in good standing, for 18 months from the application date, under COMAR 10.27.07.

Do I write my maiden name or married name in the Name box?

Yes, use whichever matches your RN license and national certification, and enter a maiden name in the middle field if your certificate still shows it, then attach proof of the change.

Do I check the PENDING box if I have no Maryland RN number yet?

Yes. Mark PENDING if your RN endorsement is still processing, so the Board knows your number is on the way rather than missing.

Do compact license holders need a Maryland RN number?

No. If you hold a current compact RN license and declare a compact state as your residence, you attach a copy of that license instead of getting a Maryland number.

Do I have to disclose a probation before judgment (PBJ)?

Yes. The form counts a guilty plea for which a PBJ was received, so mark YES and attach a detailed explanation with court documents.

Do I send the original fingerprint card to the Board?

No. You attach a copy of the card or your receipt to your application and mail the original card with its fee to the CJIS Central Repository.

Do I file one application for two certification areas?

No. You file a separate application for each area and pay $50 for the first and $25 for each additional certification.

Do my transcripts need to come straight from my school?

Yes. Sealed official transcripts must be mailed by your school or sent electronically to mbon.advpractranscripts@maryland.gov, showing advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment.

Do I need my program to be on the approved list?

Yes. The Board will not process your file until your specific program, title, and degree type appear on the approved NP programs list.

Do military spouses have special residence rules?

Yes. Military members and spouses must attach a copy of the military 2058 form along with the Declaration of Residence as proof of residency.

Do I have to attach a copy of my photo ID?

Yes. You attach a copy of your state ID or driver’s license with the Declaration of Residence, and the ID state must match your declared residence.

Do typed signatures work on this application?

No. The Board requires an original handwritten signature on the Declaration of Residence and on the affirmation, so a typed name will be rejected.

How long does processing take?

Yes, it generally takes about two to four weeks for a complete packet, though incomplete applications take longer because the Board pauses review until missing items arrive.