Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Maine
2026 data Maine board official source

Maine Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides basic patient care under supervision. Requires NCLEX-PN exam.

What the Maine data shows for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s

Maine's path to licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensure runs through 1,014 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NCLEX-PN, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Maine folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

Budget $78 to get started, plus $53 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For licensed practical nurse (lpn)s, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
66/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Maine

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,014 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B
$78
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$27/yr
$53 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Maine

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,014 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$78
Renewal Fee
$53
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) All Maine licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maine licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Maine? ▼
Maine requires 1014 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-PN), and an initial fee of $78. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Maine? ▼
Maine licenses licensed practical nurse (lpn)s who complete its requirements (1014 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Maine licensing board.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to Maine from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for licensed practical nurse (lpn)s nationally works like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Maine. Verify the specifics with the Maine licensing board.
Does Maine require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
Yes, Maine requires a criminal background check as part of the licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Maine? ▼
Maine ties continued licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $53 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed practical nurse (lpn) license

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Maine, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed practical nurse (lpn)-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Maine's licensed practical nurse (lpn) requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state licensed practical nurse (lpn) license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Maine's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Maine overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Maine licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.