Temporary Nurse Agencies

What is a Temporary Nurse Agency?

A Temporary Nurse Agency (TNA) is a business entity or subdivision thereof of a business entity that primarily provides nurses, certified nursing assistants and other qualified staff to another organization on a temporary basis within the State of Maine. A TNA does not include an agency licensed in the State of Maine as a home health care services provider. To search for a registered TNA in Maine, click here.

Maine Statutes Related to TNAs:

Effective October 25, 2023, there were changes to Maine Statutes related to TNAs, including an increase in the annual registration fee from $25.00 to $1,000.00, new employee assurance requirements, new mandatory annual reporting, and prohibition of predatory recruitment of healthcare workers from Maine healthcare settings. See Maine Statutes below:

TNA Registration Rules:

The Temporary Nurse Agency Registration Rule, 10-144 Code of Maine Rules, Chapter 111, is finalized and became effective on March 31, 2024. To download the rule in PDF, please click here.

Registration Requirements:

To operate a Temporary Nurse Agency (TNA) in Maine, prospective TNAs must fulfill specific registration requirements. Below is a summary of the essential requirements for both initial and renewal registrations:

  1. Agency Details: Name, physical and mailing addresses, email, and direct contact numbers
  2. Fees: $1000.00 for initial or renewal registration, payable via credit card through our online registration system (see link below).
  3. Ownership Information: Owner’s details, type of incorporated entity (e.g., limited liability company, partnership, corporation, non-profit), and employer identification numbers (EIN).
  4. Person in Charge: Name, email address, and direct phone number.
  5. Employee and Setting Types: Expected or past types of healthcare professionals and settings.
  6. Declaration: Certification by the Person in Charge or Owner that all provided information is accurate.

These are the essential elements for registering a TNA in Maine. All information provided must be accurate and complete to avoid delays during the registration process. To apply for a new TNA or to renew a registration, please click here.

Application Submission Process:

For initial applications: All applications will be reviewed for completeness and the required fee. If questions arise, our office will email the email addresses on the application. Issuance of the initial registration usually is completed via email within ten business days. Important Reminder: Submission of an application does not imply approval to operate in Maine.

For renewals: TNAs are responsible for monitoring the expiration date of their current registration. A complete application and the required fee must be submitted and received by DLC at least 30 days before the registration expiration date. Applications will be reviewed for completeness and the required fee and if any questions arise, our office will email the email address on the application. A renewal application will not be processed more than 30 days before the expiration date.

Change of ownership: In the event of a change in ownership of a TNA, the registration is not transferrable. The current owner must notify the Department at least 60 days prior to the change. The new owner must apply for initial registration at least 30 days before taking ownership and provide a written statement or purchase agreement verifying the sale, along with the sale’s effective date. If approved, a new registration becomes effective on the sale date. For more information see the Temporary Nurse Agency Registration Rule, 10-144 Code of Maine Rules, Chapter 111.

Agency Information Changes:

Within the registration period, TNAs in Maine can use the Agency Changes Notice form to notify the Department about changes in the agency name, email addresses, addresses, or person in charge (requiring a $10.00 fee). Changes to permanent or temporary closures do not require a fee. To access the application, please click here.

A new application is required for Change of Ownership. Please see the Temporary Nurse Agency Registration Rule, 10-144 Code of Maine Rules, Chapter 111.

Annual Reporting Notice:

The reporting period for State of Maine fiscal year 2023-2024 has closed as of August 31, 2024. The portal will re-open on July 1, 2025, for fiscal year 2024-2025.

Please review the Temporary Nurse Agency Registration Rule, 10-144 Code of Maine Rules, Chapter 111 to ensure compliance with the Temporary Nurse Agency Rule, 22MRS Chapter 417, and Chapter 417-A.

If your agency missed the 2023-2024 reporting period, please contact us immediately at tna.dlc@maine.gov.

Compliance and Enforcement:

The Temporary Nurse Agency Registration Rule, 10-144 Code of Maine Rules, Chapter 111, or the Maine Statutes related to TNAs allows any individual to report allegations of non-compliance to the Department; or the Department may identify non-compliance based on document review and/or interactions with TNAs. If a TNA is operating in non-compliance, the Department will issue a statement of deficiencies (SOD) and the TNA will be required to submit an acceptable plan of correction (POC). Additionally, the Department may also impose financial sanctions for non-compliance such as TNAs operating without an initial registration or a renewal registration. Please see Section VII Enforcement of the rule for details.

Stay Connected:

Stay connected with Division of Licensing and Certification for updates and support by checking for updates on this website or emailing us. You can reach us at:

Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Licensing and Certification
41 Anthony Avenue
Augusta, Maine 04330-0011

Phone: (207) 287-9300
TTY Users: Call 711 (Maine Relay)
Email: TNA.DLC@Maine.Gov