How To Change An Inactive License To An Active License: 
Information About Nursing Refresher Courses

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All applicants for active licensure must have completed either nursing school or 1,000 hours of practice as a nurse within the past 5 years. Those who have not must take a refresher course. Click here to view the list of Approved Refresher Courses [PDF]

Nurses taking a Refresher Course must have a current inactive Maryland license. Applicants for nursing licensure who are applying for a Maryland license for the first time and who qualify* for a Temporary Maryland license, can take a refresher course on a Temporary license. A Temporary license is only valid for 90 days from the date it is issued, and is not renewable. Any out of state nurse taking a refresher course on a Temporary Maryland license should apply for a permanent inactive license as early as possible, since most courses take longer than 90 days to complete.

After completion of the Board approved refresher course, applicants with inactive licenses are required to send in:

1. A copy of the course certificate of completion

2. A completed Conversion from Inactive/Volunteer to Active form [PDF] and Supplemental Renewal form [PDF].

2. A check or money order payable to the "Maryland Board of Nursing" in the amount of the RN Inactive/Volunteer to Active conversion fee or the LPN Inactive/Volunteer to Active conversion fee.

Once the Board has received the items above, it will issue an active Maryland license.

* holds a current active nursing license in good standing from another state