NCLEX in Maine: a $75 fee and a background check that must go through the Board’s own system
The Maine State Board of Nursing’s RN requirements list a $75 non-refundable application fee, paid online. Its criminal background check has a catch: the Board cannot accept fingerprint cards or results that you mail in, or checks done for another purpose, and the results are valid for only 90 days.
Last checked October 2026. Based on the Board’s RN exam licensure requirements and its license by examination bulletin. Confirm current fees on the Board’s website.
The path for a new graduate
Complete the online application through the Board's licensing portal and pay the $75 fee. Do not call the Board for status, since the portal's checklist shows what is outstanding.
Follow the instructions on the Board's website to complete fingerprinting through its process. The Board states it cannot accept cards, or results from other facilities, that you send yourself.
Your school completes the Board's school certification form and sends it to the Board. Graduates of programs outside the US go through CGFNS, the only credential evaluator the Board accepts.
Register with Pearson VUE, the exclusive provider of the NCLEX, and pay $200.
After you meet the Board's requirements it notifies Pearson VUE and your ATT is emailed. Results go to the Board.
Compact residency
The Board’s bulletin says that if your primary state of residence is a compact state other than Maine, you must apply for licensure in that state. If you do not qualify for a multistate license you may be eligible for a Maine-only license.
Common questions
How do I get my results?
The Board says Pearson VUE offers unofficial results two days after the exam, with the fee included. It asks you not to call the Board for results.
Why is my ATT delayed?
The Board’s bulletin says an applicant is not eligible to receive an ATT until the Board has everything it needs, so complete every item before you expect to test.