1. A. An applicant for certification as a nurse practitioner shall obtain certification from the Board before commencing practice.

2. B. An applicant for certification as a nurse practitioner shall:

   1. (1) Hold a current Maryland license in good standing to practice registered nursing or a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing;
   2. (2) Have graduated from a Board-approved accredited graduate level program for nurse practitioners at the Masters’ level or higher that meets the requirements of Regulation .06 of this chapter;

   3. (3) Hold a current national certification:

      1. (a) For each area of specialization in which certification is sought; and
      2. (b) From the AANPNCB or other national certifying body recognized by the Board;
   4. (4) Submit to the Board a completed application for certification as a nurse practitioner for each area of specialization in which certification is sought;
   5. (5) Comply with all the requirements set forth in COMAR 10.27.01.04;
   6. (6) Demonstrate written and oral competency in the English language;
   7. (7) If the applicant has not been certified by the Board or any other Board of Nursing, identify a designated mentor for 18 months as defined in Regulation .01 of this chapter; and
   8. (8) Pay all fees.

3. C. The Board shall:

   1. (1) Maintain an up-to-date list of all nurse practitioners certified in the State; and
   2. (2) Include on the nurse practitioner’s registered nursing license an indication that the licensee is certified as a nurse practitioner and designate the nurse practitioner’s area of specialization.
4. D. The Board shall certify a nurse practitioner consistent with the nurse practitioner’s specialty, education, and national certification.

Authority: Family Law Article, §2-301; Health-General Article, §§4-208(a), 4-212, §4-403, 5-601(c)—(e), 5-608(c), 10-616, 10-628, 13-701, and 13-704; Health Occupations Article, §§8-205(a)(1), (2), (4), and (5), and 8-302; Transportation Article, §§13-616(a) and (b), Annotated Code of Maryland; Ch. 342, Acts of 2015; Ch. 468, Acts of 2015

Effective date: March 6, 1981 (8:5 Md. R. 473)

Regulation .01B amended effective August 29, 1994 (21:17 Md. R. 1439)

Regulation .02 amended effective June 7, 1993 (20:11 Md. R. 913)

Regulation .03A amended effective June 7, 1993 (20:11 Md. R. 913)

Regulation .04 amended effective June 7, 1993 (20:11 Md. R. 913)

Regulation .05 repealed and new Regulation .05 adopted effective June 7, 1993 (20:11 Md. R. 913)

Regulation .08 adopted effective August 29, 1994 (21:17 Md. R. 1439)

Chapter revised effective July 11, 2011 (38:14 Md. R. 790)

Chapter revised effective December 10, 2015 (42:24 Md. R. 1505)

Regulation .02A amended effective August 28, 2017 (44:17 Md. R. 835)

Chapter revised effective July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 667)

Regulation .03G adopted effective October 13, 2025 (52:20 Md. R. 1002)

Regulation .07C amended effective October 13, 2025 (52:20 Md. R. 1002)