Professional Licensing
For New Mainers
For new Mainers who had professional careers in their home countries, it is necessary to determine whether there are state or national requirements for licensure that are mandatory for that profession.
Do I need a professional license?
Many professions in Maine are considered licensed professions. This means that to be able to do work as that type of professional, it is necessary to meet the state or national requirements for licensure for that profession. For example, even if a foreign trained engineer has a degree in engineering from their home country and has worked for 10 years as an engineer, they will still need to meet the requirements for licensure as an engineer if they want to work as a professionally licensed engineer in Maine.
The licensing process can be complicated and expensive. For most professions it will require, amongst other things:
- Evaluations of transcripts and diplomas from your home school
- Proof of work experience and/or the need to obtain additional experience in the US
- A high level of English competency
- Very difficult tests
- Additional coursework to make up for any deficiencies
NMRC Professional Licensing Guides*
As a way to help internationally trained professionals understand the licensing process for their profession, NMRC has produced a series of licensing guides.
These guides offer an overview of the licensing process. It’s important to note that these guidelines are often updated and you should confirm current licensing information with the specific licensing board. An NMRC career advisor can help you understand the most up to date information. Please note that we are in the process of reviewing and updating the guides.
*Please note that Maine laws and rules change and professional licensing boards update their procedures and make changes to their websites and applications. NMRC will make every effort to keep these guides up to date, but information may change so it is important to confirm the information in the guides with the data available on a licensing board’s website.
See what people are saying about NMRC.
I am very happy and thankful for what I learned from the Job Class. I'd like to share my story with you regarding what I learned from Job class. I am a very happy guy today. I am Warehouse Associate 1 and Forklift Operator. I use all the professional skills that I learned, I can manage my pay, understand my Pay Stubs and more. Portland Adult Education is a place where I found every help regarding job search, connecting me with Allagash Brewing Company and the interview was successful because of what the teacher taught me during my interview. I would like to say Job class is the manpower booster for all those who take it seriously.
Antonio Langaba
PAE Student
Intern at Allagash Brewing Company
We are very excited to share with you that Langaba has accepted a full-time, year-round position as a Warehouse Operations Associate! Langaba has done an excellent job learning the core functions of the role and has met the goal that his supervisor set for him at the beginning of the internship (to be able to ship a tractor trailer truck). Langaba's first day working his new schedule will begin tomorrow. In addition, he has earned a merit increase and now has access to all the benefits that Allagash offers….Thank you so much for your support through this process. This feels like a big win!
Meg Sweet
HR Coordinator
PAE/NMRC has been a good referral source for SMI , and we have worked cooperatively to support students with scholarships for many years. What SMI values in NMRC’s work: NMRC facilitates whatever service the individual needs. They can be an advocate with a school or an employer or can strategize with the individual on how to overcome whatever the barriers might be. Each person who comes to them is provided with a pathway that will address their barriers. For all of these reasons, since 2019, SMI has been proud to have a more formal funding partnership with NMRC.
Scholarships for Maine Immigrants
2021 Fall/Winter Newsletter
Job Class had numerous students who were busy with other responsibilities including families, work, appointments and more but they showed a commitment and pushed till the end. Leticia is an excellent example. She became a citizen and 2 weeks later voted in the 2020 election. She has had experience working as a hotel housekeeper but after completing Job Class A and despite her limited education in her home country of Mexico she is currently employed at Abbott assembling kits. She happily reports that because of this new job, it is no longer imperative for her to work a second job to support her family.
Job Class A Report
Student Success Story
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