Applying for a license

You can call and ask, but the answer is ... probably not. There are most likely certain agencies set up with the state of MD to administer the fingerprint/background check.

Road trip ... :)

And contact the agency where you intend to get the fingerprints taken -- they sometimes require appointments.

When I was applying for licensure in another state, I was able to do it in my home state no problem. I just went to our local detention center. And yes I believe it's required with every new job/license.

I have licenses in 8 states, and since my primary residence is not a Compact state, that means I got them all "a la carte." And that means that three of them wanted fingerprints -- on their form only, please. So the local State Police barracks guys and I got to be good friends. Some states want you to complete an online class on (whatever), some want you to pay for a criminal background check, some want the prints, some want your full college transcript sent from the college registrar and not from anywhere else, some want a notarized letter about ... You get the picture.

When they tell you what they want, don't ask questions, it just delays things. Give them exactly what they ask for and it will go faster.

Will do, thank you!

And I was able to clarify - I can get my prints here (phew)

Just for the record, this is so ridiculous to me- we get the same education and same license anywhere you are in the US! They just want our money.