1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Active nursing practice” as used in Health Occupations Article, §8-312, Annotated Code of Maryland, means:

      1. (a) The practice of registered nursing or licensed practical nursing as defined in Health Occupations Article, §8-101, Annotated Code of Maryland;
      2. (b) Related nursing activities approved by the Board, including but not limited to a generic nursing education program, degree completion programs, or graduate programs within the last 5 years; and
      3. (c) Completion of a generic nursing education program, degree completion program, or a graduate program within the last 5 years.
   2. (2) “Advanced practice registered nurse” has the meaning stated in Health Occupations Article, §8-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   3. (3) “Biennial renewal” means renewal of a license every 2 years in the licensee’s birth month.
   4. (4) “Board” means the Maryland Board of Nursing.
   5. (5) “Central Repository” means the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
   6. (6) “Certified nursing assistant (CNA)” has the meaning stated in Health Occupations Article, §8-6A-01, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   7. (7) “Continuing education” means planned, organized learning experiences designed to augment the knowledge, skill, and ability to enhance nursing practice and therefore improve health care delivered to the public.
   8. (8) “Continuing education unit (CEU)” means 1 contact hour of 50—60 minutes.

   9. (9) “Cosign” means a registered nurse verifies that:

      1. (a) An activity was performed safely and accurately by the nursing graduate; and
      2. (b) The documentation is complete and accurate.
   10. (10) “Criminal history records check” means the performance of both a State criminal history check by the Central Repository, and a national criminal history check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
   11. (11) “Criminal history records information” means information provided by the criminal history records check regarding an applicant's criminal arrests, charges, and convictions, and other dispositions of criminal charges.
   12. (12) “Direct patient care” means healthcare activities that involve direct interaction between a healthcare professional and a patient.
   13. (13) “Endorsement” means, for qualified applicants who have an unencumbered license from another state or country to practice registered nursing or licensed practical nursing, a waiver of the initial licensure requirement to take the national licensure examination in accordance with Health Occupations Article, §8-307, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   14. (14) “English language competency examination” means an examination that tests an individual’s written and oral competency in the English language.

   15. (15) Entry-level Registered Nursing Education Program.

       1. (a) “Entry-level registered nursing education program” means a registered nursing education program that is the initial entry point for formal registered nursing education that, upon successful completion, qualifies an individual with no prior registered nursing education to obtain licensure as a registered nurse.

       2. (b) “Entry-level registered nursing education program” does not include degree completion programs, including but not limited to:

          1. (i) Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing to Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing (AAS-BSN);
          2. (ii) Associate of Degree in Nursing to Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing (ADN-BSN);
          3. (iii) Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing to Masters of Science Degree in Nursing (AAS-MSN);
          4. (iv) Associate Degree in Nursing to Masters of Science Degree in Nursing (ADN-MSN);
          5. (v) Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing to Masters of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN-MSN);
          6. (vi) Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Philosophy (BSN-PHD);
          7. (vii) Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Education (BSN-EDD);
          8. (viii) Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP);
          9. (ix) Masters of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Philosophy (MSN-PHD);
          10. (x) Masters of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Education (MSN-EDD);
          11. (xi) Masters of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-DNP); or
          12. (xii) Masters of Science Degree in Nursing to Post Masters Certificate/Post Graduate Certificate.
   16. (16) “Former licensee” means an individual who once had an active license with the Board who is no longer active.
   17. (17) “Multistate licensure privilege” means an authorization to practice registered nursing or licensed practical nursing in Maryland that is granted to a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who has an active multistate license issued by another state in accordance with the Nurse Licensure Compact.
   18. (18) “NCLEX” means the National Council Licensure Examination for initial licensure as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
   19. (19) “Nursing assistant” means an individual certified by the Board as a certified nursing assistant.
   20. (20) “Preceptor” means a registered nurse who meets the qualifications of faculty as described in Regulation .16 of this chapter.
   21. (21) “Preceptorship” means an individualized refresher course approved by the Board and offered by an institution employing nurses which complies with Regulation .16 of this chapter.
   22. (22) “Student” means a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who is required to complete a refresher course in order to maintain or reestablish an active license.
   23. (23) “Substantially equivalent” has the meaning stated in §§C and D of this regulation.
   24. (24) “Volunteer” means a licensee who, at the time of licensure renewal, elects to receive a license which only allows the licensee to provide professional services without remuneration.
   25. (25) “Written and oral competency in the English language” means the ability to demonstrate proficiency in listening, reading, speaking, and writing the English language.

3. C. “Substantially equivalent” means a registered nursing or licensed practical nursing education program that:

   1. (1) Contains theoretical learning experiences and related clinical learning experiences that include direct patient care within various settings consistent with program objectives, outcomes, or competencies conducted either concurrently with or after the theoretical learning experience; and

   2. (2) Meets the curriculum requirements for Maryland schools of nursing at the time of the applicant’s graduation, including, but not limited to:

      1. (a) The appropriate level of the graduate's intended scope of practice;
      2. (b) Didactic and clinical learning experiences that are diverse and consistent with program objectives, outcomes, or competencies;

      3. (c) Didactic and clinical instruction in nursing care of families and clients throughout the life span in a variety of care settings requiring nursing measures appropriate for:

         1. (i) The maintenance or restoration of mental and physical health;
         2. (ii) Preventive, rehabilitative, and curative aspects of health care;
         3. (iii) Biophysical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual components of health and illness; and
         4. (iv) Professional issues content; and

      4. (d) Didactic and clinical instructional content that includes, but is not limited to, the areas of:

         1. (i) Medical and surgical nursing;
         2. (ii) Maternal and child health;
         3. (iii) Psychiatric nursing; and
         4. (iv) Geriatric nursing.
4. D. “Substantially equivalent” does not mean a registered nurse or licensed practical nursing education program in another state or country that does not have a supervised clinical learning experience requirement.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§1-213, 1–230, 8-101, 8-201, 8-205, 8-206, 8-301—8-315, 8-6A-05(a), 8-701, 8-7A-01, Article 1116(b)(2), and 8-703; Tax-General Article, §§10-738 and 10-739(b)(1); Annotated Code of Maryland; Ch. 486, Acts of 2012; Chs. 281 and 282, Acts of 2013; Chs. 385 and 386, Acts of 2016; and Chs. 234 and 234, Acts of 2017

Effective date:

Regulation .01B, C amended effective May 5, 1978 (5:9 Md. R. 684)

Regulation .02A amended effective January 7, 1976 (3:1 Md. R. 40)

Regulation .02B, F amended effective October 13, 1976 (13:21 Md. R. 1206)

Regulation .02G amended effective May 14, 1975 (2:10 Md. R. 752)

Regulation .05 amended effective January 7, 1976 (3:1 Md. R. 40)

Regulation .08 repealed effective March 23, 1979 (6:6 Md. R. 512)

Regulations .01—.07 renumbered as Regulations .02, .03, .04, .05, .07, .08, and .09, respectively

Regulation .01 adopted effective March 23, 1979 (6:6 Md. R. 512)

Regulation .02A, C, E, G, H amended effective March 23, 1979 (6:6 Md. R. 512)

Regulation .02B, C amended effective June 29, 1979 (6:13 Md. R. 1128)

Regulations .03A—F, H and .05A amended effective March 23, 1979 (6:6 Md. R. 512)

Regulation .06 adopted effective March 23, 1979 (6:6 Md. R. 512)

Regulations .08A, C and .09 amended effective March 23, 1979 (6:6 Md. R. 512)

Regulations .01—.09 repealed effective August 11, 1986 (13:16 Md. R. 1827)

Regulations .01—.11 adopted effective August 11, 1986 (13:16 Md. R. 1827)

Regulations .01—.06 amended as an emergency provision effective April 11, 1994 (21:9 Md. R. 744); amended permanently effective August 15, 1994 (21:16 Md. R. 1384)

Regulation .01B amended effective December 11, 1989 (16:24 Md. R. 2620); May 10, 1993 (20:9 Md. R. 779)

Regulation .02A amended effective December 11, 1989 (16:24 Md. R. 2620); October 1, 1990 (17:19 Md. R. 2321); May 10, 1993 (20:9 Md. R. 779)

Regulation .02A amended as an emergency provision effective July 1, 1991 (18:14 Md. R. 1606); adopted permanently effective January 2, 1992 (18:25 Md. R. 2751)

Regulation .02A amended as an emergency provision effective October 27, 1995 (22:23 Md. R. 1795); amended permanently effective February 12, 1996 (23:3 Md. R. 169)

Regulation .02A amended as an emergency provision effective November 14, 1997 (24:25 Md. R. 1717); amended permanently effective March 9, 1998 (25:5 Md. R. 369)

Regulation .02A amended as an emergency provision effective August 2, 1999 (26:17 Md. R. 1314); amended permanently effective November 15, 1999 (26:23 Md. R. 1777)

Regulation .04D adopted effective November 8, 1993 (20:22 Md. R. 1707)

Regulation .06G amended as an emergency provision effective November 1, 1987 (14:23 Md. R. 2412); adopted permanently effective March 1, 1988 (15:3 Md. R. 304)

Regulation .06G amended effective May 10, 1993 (20:9 Md. R. 779)

Regulation .07 amended effective October 1, 1990 (17:19 Md. R. 2321); May 10, 1993 (20:9 Md. R. 779)

Regulation .07A amended effective December 11, 1989 (16:24 Md. R. 2620); November 8, 1993 (20:22 Md. R. 1707)

Regulation .08E adopted effective October 1, 1990 (17:19 Md. R. 2321)

Regulation .09 amended as an emergency provision effective October 27, 1995 (22:23 Md. R. 1795); amended permanently effective February 12, 1996 (23:3 Md. R. 169)

Regulation .09C amended effective May 10, 1993 (20:9 Md. R. 779)

Regulation .10 amended effective December 11, 1989 (16:24 Md. R. 2620)

Regulation .10D amended and H adopted effective October 1, 1990 (17:19 Md. R. 2321)

Regulation .10I adopted effective May 10, 1993 (20:9 Md. R. 779)

Regulation .11 recodified to Regulation .12 and new Regulation .11 adopted effective December 11, 1989 (16:24 Md. R. 2620)

Regulation .13 adopted effective December 11, 1989 (16:24 Md. R. 2620)

Regulations .14 and .15 adopted effective May 10, 1993 (20:9 Md. R. 779)

Chapter revised effective April 30, 2001 (28:8 Md. R. 760)

Regulation .01B amended effective March 1, 2004 (31:4 Md. R. 316)

Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective January 2, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 397); amended permanently effective May 7, 2007 (34:9 Md. R. 825)

Regulation .01B amended effective September 22, 2008 (35:19 Md. R. 1717)

Regulation .01C adopted effective September 22, 2008 (35:19 Md. R. 1717)

Regulation .02 repealed and new Regulation .02 adopted effective April 1, 2013 (40:6 Md. R. 474)

Regulation .02A amended effective September 3, 2001 (28:17 Md. R. 1556); August 27, 2007 (34:17 Md. R. 1508)

Regulation .03 amended effective March 1, 2004 (31:4 Md. R. 316)

Regulation .03A amended effective September 22, 2008 (35:19 Md. R. 1717)

Regulation .04 amended effective September 22, 2008 (35:19 Md. R. 1717)

Regulation .04B amended effective September 3, 2001 (28:17 Md. R. 1556)

Regulation .05 amended effective March 1, 2004 (31:4 Md. R. 316); September 27, 2004 (31:19 Md. R. 1433)

Regulation .05A amended as an emergency provision effective January 2, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 397); amended permanently effective May 7, 2007 (34:9 Md. R. 825)

Regulation .05D amended effective September 22, 2008 (35:19 Md. R. 1717)

Regulation .05I adopted as an emergency provision effective January 2, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 397); amended permanently effective May 7, 2007 (34:9 Md. R. 825)

Regulation .09A amended as an emergency provision effective January 2, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 397); amended permanently effective May 7, 2007 (34:9 Md. R. 825)

Regulation .09A amended effective January 6, 2014 (40:26 Md. R. 2164)

Regulation .09D adopted as an emergency provision effective January 2, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 397); amended permanently effective May 7, 2007 (34:9 Md. R. 825)

Regulation .11 amended as an emergency provision effective January 2, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 397); amended permanently effective May 7, 2007 (34:9 Md. R. 825)

Regulation .11 amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 617)

Regulation .12 amended effective April 1, 2013 (40:6 Md. R. 474)

Regulation .12F, G amended effective April 24, 2006 (33:8 Md. R. 733)

Regulation .12H adopted effective October 11, 2004 (31:20 Md. R. 1485)

Regulation .12I, J, K adopted as an emergency provision effective January 2, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 397); amended permanently effective May 7, 2007 (34:9 Md. R. 825)

Regulation .12I amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 617)

Regulation .12I-1, I-2, J-1 adopted effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 617)

Regulation .12I-1 amended effective June 13, 2011 (38:12 Md. R. 705)

Regulation .13 amended as an emergency provision effective January 2, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 397); amended permanently effective May 7, 2007 (34:9 Md. R. 825)

Regulation .13A amended effective April 24, 2006 (33:8 Md. R. 733)

Regulation .13C amended effective January 6, 2014 (40:26 Md. R. 2164)

Regulation .15 amended effective April 24, 2006 (33:8 Md. R. 733)

Regulation .16 amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 617)

Regulation .17C amended effective March 1, 2004 (31:4 Md. R. 316)

Chapter revised effective February 13, 2017 (44:3 Md. R. 189)

Regulation .01B amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667); June 17, 2019 (46:12 Md. R. 544); August 23, 2021 (48:17 Md. R. 669); Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective January 4, 2022 (49:4 Md. R. 297); emergency status expired effective July 3, 2022

Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective September 7, 2022 (49:21 Md. R. 940); emergency status expired effective March 5, 2023

Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective May 4, 2023 (50:10 Md. R. 405); emergency status expired effective October 31, 2023

Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective August 26, 2025 (52:20 Md. R. 999); amended permanently effective October 13, 2025 (52:20 Md. R. 1001)

Regulation .01B amended effective April 27, 2026 (53:8 Md. R. 356

Regulation .01D adopted effective August 23, 2021 (48:17 Md. R. 669)

Regulation .02 amended effective January 29, 2018 (45:2 Md. R. 69); July 1, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 436)

Regulation .03 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)

Regulation .03A, C amended as an emergency provision effective January 4, 2022 (49:4 Md. R. 297); emergency status expired effective July 3, 2022

Regulation .03C amended as an emergency provision effective September 7, 2022 (49:21 Md. R. 940); emergency status expired effective March 5, 2023; Regulation .03C amended as an emergency provision effective May 4, 2023 (50:10 Md. R. 405); emergency status expired effective October 31, 2023

Regulation .03C amended as an emergency provision effective August 26, 2025 (52:20 Md. R. 999); amended permanently effective October 13, 2025 (52:20 Md. R. 1001)

Regulation .05 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667); April 27, 2026 (53:8 Md. R. 356)

Regulation .05C amended effective August 23, 2021 (48:17 Md. R. 669)

Regulation .05C amended as an emergency provision effective October 6, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 972); emergency status expired effective April 3, 2024

Regulation .05C amended effective June 24, 2024 (51:12 Md. R. 619)

Regulation .06F repealed effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)

Regulation .09D, F amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. RR. 667)

Regulation .10 amended effective August 28, 2017 (44:17 Md. R. 835); July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667); August 23, 2021 (48:17 Md. R. 669); April 27, 2026 (53:8 Md. R. 356)

Regulation .11 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)

Regulation .12 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)

Regulation .13 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667); June 17, 2019 (46:12 Md. R. 544)

Regulation .13N amended as an emergency provision effective June 24, 2025 (52:15 Md. R. 810); amended permanently effective August 18, 2025 (52:16 Md. R. 846)

Regulation .14 amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)

Regulation .15B amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)

Regulation .16E amended effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)

Regulation .17C adopted as an emergency provision effective January 4, 2022 (49:4 Md. R. 297); emergency status expired effective July 3, 2022

Regulation .17C adopted as an emergency provision effective September 7, 2022 (49:21 Md. R. 940); emergency status expired effective March 5, 2023

Regulation .17C amended as an emergency provision effective May 4, 2023 (50:10 Md. R. 405); emergency status expired effective October 31, 2023

Regulation .17C adopted as an emergency provision effective August 26, 2025 (52:20 Md. R. 999); adopted permanently effective October 13, 2025 (52:20 Md. R. 1001)