1. A. Except as otherwise provided by law, to qualify for an initial license to practice nursing home administration in the State, the applicant shall:

   1. (1) Be at least 21 years old;
   2. (2) Be of good moral character;
   3. (3) Submit to a State and national criminal history records check in accordance with Health Occupations Article, §9-302.1, Annotated Code of Maryland;
   4. (4) Obtain a passing score on the State standards exam;
   5. (5) Obtain a passing score on the national licensure exams provided by NAB; and
   6. (6) Except for an endorsement applicant, successfully complete the AIT program as set forth in Regulation .04 of this chapter.
2. B. The Board’s receipt of the State and national criminal history records check from the Central Repository, as provided in Health Occupations Article, §9-302.1(c), Annotated Code of Maryland, satisfies Health Occupations Article, §9-303(3), Annotated Code of Maryland.

3. C. The applicant shall submit to the Board:

   1. (1) The completed Board online application;
   2. (2) The application fee as set forth under COMAR 10.33.05.02D;

   3. (3) Satisfactory evidence that the applicant has a bachelor’s or master’s degree in:

      1. (a) Healthcare, health administration, or healthcare management, or the equivalent, with a concentration in healthcare administration or health administration or a master’s degree in business with a concentration in healthcare administration or health administration from an accredited college or university; or
      2. (b) A field other than as described in §C(3)(a) of this regulation and has completed within the last 5 years a minimum 100-hour course approved by the Board in healthcare administration or health administration;

   4. (4) Two letters of character reference, which are signed and dated within 3 months prior to the date of application, from individuals engaged in either business or professional work on company or business letterhead:

      1. (a) Who shall attest to the good moral character of the applicant; and
      2. (b) Which may not be those from current employers or members of the applicant's family; and
   5. (5) A passport type and size photograph of the applicant, which shall have been taken within 3 months prior to the date of application.

4. D. Except for an endorsement applicant, an applicant may take the State standards exam and NAB exams when the applicant has completed:

   1. (1) A minimum of 8 months of the full-time 12-month AIT program or its equivalent or 12 months of the 18-month part-time AIT program or its equivalent; and
   2. (2) The other requirements for licensure as specified in this regulation.

5. E. The 100-hour course for applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field other than those described in §C(3)(a) of this regulation shall:

   1. (1) Contain the subject matter relating to healthcare or health administration set forth under Regulation .03A of this chapter; and
   2. (2) Be taken for credit for the purpose of initial licensure and be a course that has been approved by the Board.
6. F. An applicant who provides satisfactory evidence to the Board that the applicant is a registered nurse and who meets the requirements of Health Occupations Article, §9-302(f)(1), Annotated Code of Maryland, is not required to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

7. G. An application shall be void if an applicant fails to meet all the requirements for licensure within 2 years of receipt of the application by the Board. To pursue licensure after that time, the applicant shall:

   1. (1) Submit a new application; and
   2. (2) Meet the requirements for licensure that are in effect at the time of reapplication.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§9-205, 9-301—9-316.1, and 9-401—9-501, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R 22)