# Health Occupations (GHO) ## Title 8. Nurses ### Subtitle 7 #### Section 8-701 (a) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice registered nursing, advanced practice registered nursing, or licensed practical nursing in this State unless licensed by the Board to practice registered nursing, advanced practice registered nursing, or licensed practical nursing, respectively. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice electrology in this State unless licensed by the Board to practice electrology. (c) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice as a certified nursing assistant unless certified by the Board as a certified nursing assistant. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice as a certified nursing assistant in a specific category unless certified by the Board as a certified nursing assistant in that category. (d) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice as a certified medication technician in this State unless certified by the Board to practice as a certified medication technician. (e) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice as a certified medicine aide unless certified by the Board to practice as a certified medicine aide. (f) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice as a licensed direct-entry midwife unless licensed by the Board to practice as a licensed direct-entry midwife. (g) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice as a licensed certified midwife unless licensed by the Board to practice as a licensed certified midwife. (h) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice as a certified dialysis technician unless certified by the Board to practice as a certified dialysis technician. (i) An individual may not require a licensee to perform an act that is beyond the licensee's knowledge and skills. (j) An individual may not direct a licensee to delegate a nursing task to a nurse when the individual reasonably believes: (1) The nurse lacks the knowledge and skills to perform the nursing task; or (2) The patient's condition does not allow delegation of the nursing task. #### Section 8-702 Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice registered nursing, advanced practice registered nursing, or licensed practical nursing beyond the scope of the license or certificate issued to that individual. #### Section 8-703 (a) (1) Unless authorized to practice registered nursing under this title, an individual may not represent to the public by title, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the individual is authorized to practice registered nursing in this State. (2) Unless authorized to practice advanced practice registered nursing under this title, an individual may not represent to the public by title, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the individual is authorized to practice advanced practice registered nursing in this State. (3) Unless authorized to practice licensed practical nursing under this title, an individual may not represent to the public by title, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the individual is authorized to practice licensed practical nursing in this State. (4) Unless authorized to provide patient care as a certified nursing assistant, dialysis technician, or medication assistant under this title, an individual may not represent to the public by title, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the individual is authorized to provide care as a certified nursing assistant, dialysis technician, or medication assistant in this State. (5) Unless authorized to provide patient care in a specific category of certified nursing assistant, an individual may not represent to the public by title, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the individual is authorized to provide care as a certified nursing assistant in a specific category in this State. (6) Unless authorized to administer medication as a medication technician under this title, an individual may not represent to the public by title, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the individual is authorized to administer medication as a certified medication technician in this State. (7) Unless authorized to administer medication as a medicine aide under this title, an individual may not represent to the public by title, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the individual is authorized to administer medication as a certified medicine aide in this State. (b) Unless authorized to practice registered nursing, advanced practice registered nursing, or licensed practical nursing under this title, an individual may not use the word "nurse" to describe the profession of the individual. (c) Unless authorized to practice registered nursing under this title, an individual may not use the words or terms "registered nurse", the abbreviations "R.N.", or any other title, symbol, abbreviation, sign, card, device, or other representation with the intent to represent that the individual practices registered nursing. (d) Unless authorized to practice advanced practice registered nursing under this title, an individual may not use the words or terms "nurse practitioner", "nurse anesthetist", "nurse midwife", "clinical nurse specialist", or "advanced practice registered nurse", the abbreviations "NP", "CRNA", "CNS", "A.P.R.N.", or any other title, symbol, abbreviation, sign, card, device, or other representation with the intent to represent that the individual practices advanced practice registered nursing. (e) Unless authorized to practice licensed practical nursing under this title, an individual may not use the words or terms "licensed practical nurse", the abbreviation "L.P.N.", or any other title, symbol, abbreviation, sign, card, device, or other representation with the intent to represent that the individual practices licensed practical nursing. (f) Unless authorized to practice as a nursing graduate under this title, an individual may not use the words "nursing graduate", the abbreviation "NG", or any other title, symbol, abbreviation, sign, card, device, or other representation with the intent to represent that the individual practices as a nursing graduate. (g) Unless authorized to practice as a certified nursing assistant under this title, an individual may not use the words or terms "nursing assistant" or "certified nursing assistant", the abbreviation "CNA", or any other title, symbol, abbreviation, sign, card, device, or other representation with the intent to represent that the individual practices as a certified nursing assistant. (h) Unless authorized to practice as a certified medication technician under this title, an individual may not use the words or terms "medication technician" or "certified medication technician", the abbreviation "MT", or any other title, symbol, abbreviation, sign, card, device, or other representation with the intent to represent that the individual practices as a certified medication technician. (i) Unless authorized to practice as a certified medicine aide under this title, an individual may not use the words or terms "medicine aide" or "certified medicine aide" or any other title, symbol, abbreviation, sign, card, device, or other representation with the intent to represent that the individual practices as a certified medicine aide. (j) Unless authorized to practice as a certified dialysis technician under this title, an individual may not use the words or terms "dialysis technician" or "certified dialysis technician", the abbreviation "C.D.T.", or any other title, symbol, abbreviation, sign, card, device, or other representation with the intent to represent that the individual practices as a certified dialysis technician. #### Section 8-704 A person may not sell, fraudulently obtain, fraudulently provide, or fraudulently aid or abet the sale, fraudulent obtainment, or fraudulent provision of any record, nursing diploma, license, license renewal, certificate, or certificate renewal. #### Section 8-705 (a) An individual may not practice registered nursing or advanced practice registered nursing under color of any diploma, license, certification, or record that is: (1) Illegally or fraudulently obtained; or (2) Signed or issued unlawfully or by fraudulent representation. (b) An individual may not practice licensed practical nursing under color of any diploma, license, or record that is: (1) Illegally or fraudulently obtained; or (2) Signed or issued unlawfully or by fraudulent representation. (c) An individual may not practice as a nursing assistant under color of any diploma, license, record, or certificate that is: (1) Illegally or fraudulently obtained; or (2) Signed or issued unlawfully or by fraudulent representation. (d) An individual may not practice as a certified medication technician under color of any diploma, license, record, or certificate that is: (1) Illegally or fraudulently obtained; or (2) Signed or issued unlawfully or by fraudulent representation. (e) An individual may not practice as a certified medicine aide under color of any diploma, license, record, or certificate that is: (1) Illegally or fraudulently obtained; or (2) Signed or issued unlawfully or by fraudulent representation. (f) An individual may not practice as a certified dialysis technician under color of any diploma, license, record, or certificate that is: (1) Illegally or fraudulently obtained; or (2) Signed or issued unlawfully or by fraudulent representation. #### Section 8-706 (a) An individual may not knowingly employ to practice registered nursing any individual who is not authorized to practice registered nursing under this title. (b) An individual may not knowingly employ to practice advanced practice registered nursing any individual who is not authorized to practice advanced practice registered nursing under this title. (c) An individual may not knowingly employ to practice licensed practical nursing any individual who is not authorized to practice licensed practical nursing under this title. (d) An individual may not knowingly employ any individual who is not authorized to perform delegated nursing duties under this title. (e) An individual may not knowingly employ to practice as a certified nursing assistant any individual who is not authorized to practice as a certified nursing assistant under this title. (f) An individual may not knowingly employ to practice as a certified medication technician any individual who is not authorized to practice as a certified medication technician under this title. (g) An individual may not knowingly employ to practice as a certified medicine aide any individual who is not authorized to practice as a certified medicine aide under this title. (h) An individual may not knowingly employ to practice as a certified dialysis technician any individual who is not authorized to practice as a certified dialysis technician under this title. #### Section 8-707 (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of Sec. 8-317 of this title and in addition to any other sanction authorized for a violation of Sec.Sec. 8-701 through 8-706 of this subtitle, the Board may issue a public cease and desist order, impose a civil fine of not more than $20,000 per offense, or both. (b) For the purposes of this section, each violation is a separate offense if the violation occurs: (1) At a different time, date, or location; or (2) On the same date and location at a different time. #### Section 8-708 (a) An action may be maintained in the name of the State or the Board to enjoin conduct: (1) Prohibited under Sec.Sec. 8-701 through 8-706 of this subtitle; or (2) That is grounds for disciplinary action under Sec. 8-316, Sec. 8-6A-10, Sec. 8-6B-18, or Sec. 8-6D-10 of this title. (b) An action under this section may be brought by: (1) The Board, in its own name; (2) The Attorney General, in the name of the State; or (3) A State's Attorney, in the name of the State. (c) An action under this section shall be brought in the county where the defendant: (1) Resides; or (2) Engaged in the acts sought to be enjoined. #### Section 8-710 (a) A person who violates any provision of Sec. 8-701(a) through (g), Sec. 8-703, Sec. 8-704, or Sec. 8-705 of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both. (b) Subject to the appropriate hearing and appeals provisions, the Board, on the affirmative vote of the majority of its members, may reprimand a licensee or certificate holder, place a licensee or certificate holder on probation, or suspend or revoke a license or certificate of a person who violates any provision of this subtitle. #### Section 8-711 (a) The Board may impose a civil fine on a licensee who fails to renew a license within 30 days after the date of expiration of the license and engages in the practice of nursing during the period of expiration. (b) The civil fine shall be $5 a day for each day that the violation continues, up to a maximum of $500. (c) The Board shall pay any fine collected under this section into the General Fund of the State. --- Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)