Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) School of Nursing offers a pathway for foreign-educated registered nurses to meet the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR 10.27.03.13). Please complete this form if you are a foreign-educated registered nurse who requires additional courses to be eligible for NCLEX-RN. When submitted, an NDMU School of Nursing advisor will contact you. The advisor will facilitate the application process to the University and the School of Nursing. Upon admission, your advisor will design an individualized program of study that you can finish in consecutive semesters in the hybrid accelerated second-degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing program or the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The hybrid delivery program offers course content online and clinical learning experiences in person, while the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers course content and clinical learning experiences in person. Placement in either track of the program is dependent on a space-availability basis. Interested applicants should indicate that they are “School of Nursing-Non-Matriculant” status on the application form.

Please refer to the Maryland Board of Nursing for further information and requirements regarding the Licensure Process for International Educated Nurses Requesting Licensure in Maryland at the Maryland Board of Nursing Website.

Major

School of Nursing

The Entry-Level Bachelor of Science in Nursing program provides non-nurses a strong foundation in caring science to become reflective caring clinicians in the profession of nursing. Our curriculum emphasizes the mission of the university—striving for intellectual and professional excellence, building inclusive communities, engaging in service to others, and promoting social responsibility.

Program Location

Main Campus

Hybrid

Licensure for Foreign Educated Nurses

Foreign educated nurses must complete the same steps as those educated in the U.S., but they have some additional steps. They must first call 410-585-1929 or email mdbon.nbexam@maryland.gov to request an application packet​, which includes:

  • Instructions
  • Maryland BON Application
  • Criminal History Record Check Documents
  • Declaration of Primary State of Residence Form
  • Credentials Evaluation Service Application
  • Memo Concerning English Proficiency Exam
  • NCLEX Candidate Bulletin

Foreign educated applicants must complete and mail their Maryland nurse licensure application and applicable fee to MBON. Their packet should also include their completed Declaration of PSOR form and verification they’ve initiated their background check. 

Next, international applicants complete the steps required for their Credential Evaluation Service Application. They must complete:

  • An online application and pay a fee to the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
  • A Request for Academic Records and mail it to their school of nursing
  • A Request for Validation of Registration and mail it to their licensing agency

The school of nursing and the licensing agency send the required documents to CGFNS. Once CGFNS receives the application and all requested documentation, it completes a Credential Evaluation Service Professional Report. CGFNS mails this report directly to MBON.

Foreign educated nurses who completed their basic nursing education in another country and nurses who completed their education in Puerto Rico must pass an oral English test and have their scores sent to MBON. Acceptable tests and scores include the:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language iBT (TOEFL iBT) with a score of 26
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of 7 on speaking, a score of 6 on all other modules, and an overall score of 6.5

International nurses who have an advanced degree from a college or university in the U.S. are exempt from passing an oral English test. They must provide proof of degree, such as a copy of their diploma.

After meeting all other requirements and submitting all necessary documentation, international nursing applicants may complete their registration with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN. Once registered, they receive an Authorization to Test letter and can schedule their exam. They receive the results of their exam within five days of the exam date. These results are mailed, so they must inform MBON immediately of any address changes. Applicants who pass the NCLEX and all other licensure requirements are issued a Maryland RN license.