Healthcare Recruiting
Maryland CRNA License 2026: APRN Requirements, Practice Model, Salary
Maryland CRNAs are licensed as APRNs by the Maryland Board of Nursing. Maryland has moved toward expanded APRN practice authority, but CRNAs in the state generally practice under a collaborative/practice arrangement model — a practice arrangement with a physician is expected in most settings, particularly in Medicare-certified facilities (Maryland has not opted out of the federal CRNA supervision requirement). Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland Medical System dominate the Baltimore market with ACT models; community hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers frequently use CRNA-independent practice.
Practice Model
- Practice arrangement with physician expected in most clinical settings
- Maryland has NOT opted out of the federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement
- ACT model: Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar Health
- CRNA-independent model: community hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, rural facilities in Western MD and Eastern Shore
- Suburban Maryland (Montgomery/Prince George's County) — proximity to DC drives strong CRNA compensation
Application Requirements
- Active Maryland RN license (compact or MD-issued)
- Current NBCRNA certification
- Official nurse anesthesia program documentation
- Completed MD Board of Nursing online application + $100 fee
- Criminal background check
Processing Timeline
Maryland Board of Nursing processes APRN applications in 6–10 weeks from complete submission. Temporary authorization to practice is available upon request when a start date requires it — contact the Board directly with documentation of your pending application.
CRNA Salary in Maryland (2026)
| Market | Avg CRNA Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $205,000–$238,000 | Johns Hopkins, UMMS, MedStar; ACT model dominant; academic compensation |
| Bethesda / Montgomery County | $210,000–$242,000 | Suburban DC premium; Walter Reed area; high COL |
| Annapolis / Anne Arundel County | $198,000–$225,000 | AAMC; community CRNA positions; lower COL than Baltimore |
| Frederick / Western MD | $195,000–$220,000 | Frederick Health, Western Maryland Health System; CRNA-independent model |
| Eastern Shore | $192,000–$218,000 | TidalHealth, University of Maryland Shore; CRNA-only rural model; lower COL |
Top Employers in Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Health System — Baltimore; flagship academic ACT model; internationally recognized anesthesia department
- University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) — Baltimore + regional; ACT model; Level I trauma CRNA positions
- MedStar Health — Baltimore + DC suburbs; multi-site system; mix of ACT and CRNA-independent
- LifeBridge Health — Baltimore; Sinai/Northwest Hospitals; community health system
- Anne Arundel Medical Center (Luminis Health) — Annapolis; growing community CRNA program
What We See at Ava Health
Maryland's proximity to Washington DC pushes Northern and Suburban Maryland CRNA salaries to among the highest in the Mid-Atlantic. The Eastern Shore and Western Maryland offer strong compensation with substantially lower housing costs than Baltimore or the DC suburbs — Frederick and Hagerstown CRNAs often achieve better effective purchasing power than their Baltimore colleagues despite lower nominal salaries.
Related: CRNA Salary by State 2026, NP License Maryland 2026, CRNA License Virginia 2026.
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