.05 Qualifications of Applicants for Examination.

A. An applicant for the registered nurse licensure examination shall:

(1) Complete satisfactorily and meet all requirements for a diploma or degree from a registered nursing education program approved by the Board; or

(2) Have a diploma or degree from a registered nursing education program in another state, territory, or country determined by the Board to be substantially equivalent to the registered nursing education program approved in this State at the time of the applicant's graduation.

B. An applicant for the licensed practical nurse licensure examination shall:

(1) Meet all requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent and complete satisfactorily and meet all requirements for a diploma from:

(a) A licensed practical nursing education program approved by the Board; or

(b) A licensed practical nursing education program in any other state, territory, or country determined by the Board to be substantially equivalent to the licensed practical nursing education programs approved in this State at the time of the applicant's graduation; or

(2) Meet the requirements of §A of this regulation.

C. Applicants who are unable to prove written and oral competency in the English language in accordance with Health Occupation Article, §8-302(e)(2) or (4), Annotated Code of Maryland, shall submit evidence of proficiency in listening, reading, speaking, and writing the English language by obtaining a minimum passing score on one of the following Board-approved English language competency examinations:

(1) Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) with minimum passing scores of:

(a) Listening — 21;

(b) Reading — 19;

(c) Speaking — 26;

(d) Writing — 19; and

(e) Overall score of at least 84;

(2) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with minimum passing scores of:

(a) Listening — 6;

(b) Reading — 6;

(c) Speaking — 6;

(d) Writing — 6; and

(e) Overall score of at least 6.5;

(3) Michigan English Test (MET) with minimum passing scores of:

(a) Listening — 53;

(b) Reading — 53;

(c) Speaking — 53; and

(d) Writing — 53;

(4) Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic with minimum passing scores of:

(a) Listening — 50;

(b) Reading — 50;

(c) Speaking — 50;

(d) Writing — 50; and

(e) Overall score of at least 55; or

(5) Occupational English Test (OET) with minimum passing scores of:

(a) Listening — 300;

(b) Reading — 300;

(c) Speaking — 300; and

(d) Writing — 300.

D. An applicant whose basic nursing education was completed in another country shall have the applicant's transcript evaluated by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.