Massachusetts Nursing License
How to get your Massachusetts nursing license
- Complete an approved nursing program (RN or LPN/LVN).
- Pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination.
- Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for licensure by examination or endorsement.
- Complete the required criminal background check and pay licensure fees.
Massachusetts licensing at a glance
| Continuing education | 15 hours / 2 years |
|---|---|
| Compact (NLC) member | No |
15 CE contact hours are required per 2-year renewal; your first renewal is exempt. License fees are published only through the state portal and were not verifiable to our sourcing bar, so they are omitted. Massachusetts enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact in November 2024 but has not yet implemented it — multistate licenses are not being issued yet, so an individual Massachusetts license is currently required.
Official resources
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing — apply, renew, and check requirements.
- Verify a nursing license (Nursys)
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) map — which states honor a multistate license.
- Directory of state boards of nursing (NCSBN)
Massachusetts nursing license FAQ
- Does my compact nursing license let me work in Massachusetts?
- No. Massachusetts is not a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so you must hold an individual Massachusetts nursing license even if you carry a multistate compact license.
- How many continuing-education hours does Massachusetts require?
- Massachusetts requires 15 hours / 2 years for RN license renewal.
- How do I verify a Massachusetts nursing license?
- Verify any U.S. nursing license through Nursys, the national verification system operated by the state boards of nursing.