The process of obtaining a nursing license in Massachusetts involves standardized steps administered by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BON). Licensure is mandatory for all individuals seeking to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) within the Commonwealth. The BON is the state agency responsible for overseeing all aspects of nursing licensure, including initial application, examination, renewal, and enforcement of practice standards. Navigating the requirements efficiently depends on understanding the educational mandates and choosing the correct application pathway.
Educational and Prerequisite Requirements
All applicants for RN or LPN licensure must demonstrate successful completion of an approved nursing education program. Registered Nurses typically graduate from a program awarding an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or a diploma. Licensed Practical Nurse applicants must graduate from a board-approved practical nursing program. The program must be formally approved by the Massachusetts BON or the corresponding board in another U.S. state or territory.
Applicants must arrange for the official final transcript to be sent directly from the nursing school to the Board’s credentialing service, Professional Credential Services (PCS). The transcript must verify the degree awarded and the date of graduation. This mandatory step must be completed before the application can be fully processed.
Determining Your Application Pathway
The required application process is determined by the applicant’s current licensure status and professional background. Massachusetts is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Therefore, all nurses seeking to practice in the state must hold a Massachusetts license, regardless of their status in other states. Applicants follow one of three distinct methods: by examination, by endorsement, or for advanced practice authorization.
Application by Examination
This pathway is for new graduates who have never held a nursing license in any U.S. state or territory, or for those who must re-take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Applicants must meet the educational requirements and register to take the NCLEX-RN or the NCLEX-PN. The application process for licensure by examination must be completed through the state’s online portal and involves a non-refundable application fee.
Application by Endorsement
Nurses currently licensed as an RN or LPN in another U.S. state or territory apply for a Massachusetts license through endorsement. A key step is verifying the out-of-state license, typically done through the Nursys license verification system if the original state participates. If the original state is not a Nursys participant, verification must be obtained directly from that state board and submitted to the Massachusetts Board’s credentialing service. The application requires a $275 application fee plus a $30 verification fee per license.
Application for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
Registered Nurses seeking authorization to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) must first hold a valid Massachusetts RN license. The APRN application is a separate process authorizing the nurse to practice in a specific advanced role.
Authorization requires graduation from an accredited graduate-level program in the intended specialty. This coursework must include advanced physical assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapeutics. Applicants must also hold current national certification in their specialty from a Board-recognized certifying body.
Core Administrative Requirements and Documentation
All candidates must submit their application through the state’s online Health Professions Licensing System (HPLS), regardless of the chosen pathway. All required fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, so applicants must confirm eligibility before submitting payment. A recent 2×2 inch color passport-style photo must be uploaded as part of the online application.
Applicants must attest to meeting the state’s requirement for good moral character. If an applicant answers affirmatively to questions concerning criminal or disciplinary history, the Board will require specific supporting documentation for review. The process also involves a mandatory background check known as a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, which screens for criminal history in Massachusetts.
The CORI check requires the applicant to complete and sign a CORI Acknowledgement Form, which is submitted to the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS). While the CORI check is mandatory, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing does not require applicants for initial licensure or endorsement to undergo fingerprinting.
Specific Steps for Examination Applicants (NCLEX)
New graduates applying by examination must navigate a dual-registration process involving both the Massachusetts Board and the NCLEX testing service, Pearson VUE. After submitting the state licensure application and fees, the applicant must separately register and pay the exam fee to Pearson VUE. The Board’s approval of the application is the prerequisite for the next step.
Once the Board confirms eligibility, Pearson VUE issues an Authorization to Test (ATT) via email, which is the formal permission to schedule the NCLEX appointment. The ATT is time-sensitive, generally valid for a 60-day testing window. The exam must be taken within this period, or the process must be restarted with new fees. Applicants who pass the NCLEX typically receive their license letter via email within approximately three business days of the examination date.
Timeline and Status Monitoring
The time required to obtain a license can range from several weeks to a few months, depending on the application type and the speed of document submission. Licensure by examination is often tied to the NCLEX testing schedule. Endorsement applications depend on the promptness of license verification from other state boards.
Applicants can monitor the status of their submission using the state’s online Health Professions Licensing System (HPLS). This portal allows applicants to check for missing documents and view the progress of their application through the review stages. If the application is incomplete, the credentialing service will notify the applicant, who must promptly submit supplementary information to prevent delays.
Maintaining Your Massachusetts Nursing License
After the initial license is granted, all RNs and LPNs must renew their license every two years on or before their birth date. RNs renew in even-numbered years, and LPNs renew in odd-numbered years. Maintaining an active license requires the completion of fifteen contact hours of continuing education (CEUs) during each two-year renewal cycle.
The renewal process mandates the completion of specific training requirements.
Mandatory Training Requirements
Training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia (one-time requirement).
Training and education on the issue of domestic violence and sexual violence (required before each re-licensure).
APRNs with prescriptive authority have additional CE requirements focusing on effective pain management and the risks associated with opioid medication.