Become a Nurse in Maine – Licensure & Requirements

Maine Nursing Salaries

^{Nurse salaries in Maine, shown above, were retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for Maine, the Bangor, ME metropolitan area, and the Portland-South Portland, ME metropolitan area.}

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Maine. The path you take will mostly depend upon the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Maine, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Maine nursing licensure. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in the healthcare sphere it’s difficult to stay current.If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Maine, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

Maine is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.

Prescriptive Authority in Maine

According to the Maine State Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licensure page, nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives may apply for prescriptive authority for Schedule II-V controlled substances. A total of 45 contact hours of pharmacology are required for initial applications. Advanced practice registered nurses with prescriptive authority must also complete 3 Category I contact hours of continuing education on opioid-prescribing during each two-year license renewal period, per current Maine Board of Nursing rule.

Nurse Practitioner in Maine

Education: Successful completion of an approved nurse practitioner program and evidence of 45 contact hours in pharmacology.

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Experience: Varies for Different Certifications

Certification Required: Nurse practitioner certification from a national certifying organization such as American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); National Board of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners; National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties; and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Fees:

• $100 Application Fee
• $50 per additional specialty

Renewal: APRN level renewals are made concurrently with registered nurse (RN) renewal with a $100 fee. Nurse practitioners must provide proof of maintenance of national certification.

Learn more on how to become a nurse practitioner.

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) in Maine

Education: Successful completion of a nurse-midwifery program, approved by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Certification Required: Certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), the former American College of Nurse-Midwives, or the American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council.

Fees:

• $100 Application Fee

Renewal: CNM level renewals are made concurrently with registered nurse (RN) renewal with a $100 fee. CNMs must provide proof of maintenance of national certification. A total of 50 contact hours, including at least 30 Category I hours, are required for renewal per the current Maine Board of Nursing Chapter 8 rule.

Learn more on how to become a certified nurse midwife.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in Maine

Education: Successful completion of a nurse anesthesia program, accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Certification Required: Certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists

Fees:

• $100 Application Fee

Renewal: CRNA level renewals are made concurrently with registered nurse (RN) renewal with a $100 fee. CRNAs must provide proof of maintenance of national certification. A total of 50 contact hours, including at least 30 Category I hours, are required for renewal per the current Maine Board of Nursing Chapter 8 rule.

Learn more on how to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Maine

Education: Successful completion of a master’s degree program in a clinical specialty area, accredited by the National League for Nursing or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Certification Required: Certification in a clinical specialty by a national certifying body.

Fees:

• $100 Application Fee

Renewal: CNS level renewals are made concurrently with registered nurse (RN) renewal with a $100 fee. CNS must provide proof of maintenance of national certification. A total of 50 contact hours, including at least 30 Category I hours, are required for renewal per the current Maine Board of Nursing Chapter 8 rule.

Learn more on how to become a clinical nurse specialist.

Registered Nurse (RN) in Maine

Education: Completion of an Approved Registered Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

• $75 Application Fee
• $200 Examination Fee

Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval. A $75 application fee is required. Registered nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Maine, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Maine.

Renewal: License renewal is every two years on a nurse's birthday. Renewal fees are $75 per renewal period.

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Maine

Education: Completion of an Approved Licensed Practical Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

• $50 Application Fee
• $200 Examination Fee

Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval. A $50 application fee is required. Licensed practical nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Maine, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Maine.

Renewal: License renewal is every two years on a nurse's birthday. Renewal fees are $50 per renewal period, per the current Maine Board of Nursing Fees & Fines schedule.

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information Disclosure:

Information for the nursing careers above was retrieved from the Maine State Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licensure page, the Maine State Board of Nursing – Chapter 8 Regulations Relating to Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (PDF), the Maine State Board of Nursing Fees & Fines schedule, and the Maine State Board of Nursing website, as of September 2026.