How to get a Registered Nurse (RN) license in Massachusetts

Requirements for a Registered Nurse (RN) license

Education or training

Graduation from a Board-approved nursing education program for Registered Nurses; the program sends a certification of graduation and an original transcript directly to the Board.³
Who may teach it: Board-approved program (244 CMR 6.00); out-of-state graduates see the Board's educational-requirements guidance.¹
Alternative: Canadian-educated applicants not eligible for reciprocity have their graduate status certified by the Board or its designee.³

Exam

NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination)¹
Given by: Pearson VUE (registration through the NCSBN candidate portal)⁵
When you can take it: Apply before graduation if you wish, but the Certification of Graduation must be completed after the official graduation date; the Board/PCS then confirms eligibility. The application stays active for one year.⁵
Retakes: Unlimited retakes with 45 days between attempts; submit a re-exam application ($80) and re-register with Pearson VUE. The ATT is valid 60 days. If you have not passed within one year of the initial application, reapply as a first-time candidate.⁵
Time limit: Pass within one year of the initial application or reapply.⁵
Exam waived: Graduates of programs outside the US, DC, territories and Canada are certified through a CGFNS certificate or credentials review (TruMerit, JS&A or SpanTran accepted), with an English-proficiency score where instruction was not in English.³

Background check

Background check required²
Good moral character is required; "yes" answers to the professional and criminal history questions are reviewed by the Board's Good Moral Character division and may need a Board vote.²

Social Security number

SSN required (forwarded to the Department of Revenue); reciprocity applications without an SSN are not accepted. Foreign-trained exam applicants living outside the US may apply without an SSN (affidavit) and must obtain one within a year of licensure.¹

Also required

English proficiency: minimum Board-designated test score if your program's instruction or textbooks were not in English (Licensure Policy 06-01).³

Also required

One-time training on cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia, for initial licensure (chapter 220 of the Acts of 2018); no set course or hours.⁶

Also required

Domestic violence and sexual violence training (M.G.L. c. 112 § 264) is a condition of licensure, renewal, revival or reinstatement; once completed it need not be repeated unless the Board requires it.³

Also required

Signed CPS Adam Walsh form and a 2x2 passport-style color photo are part of the application checklist.²

Also required

You may start work once your license number appears on the Massachusetts Health Professions License Verification website.¹

How much a Registered Nurse (RN) license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Graduate from a Board-approved RN program; have the program send the Certification of Graduation (signed after your graduation date) and an official transcript to Professional Credential Services (PCS), the Board's processor.⁵
2. Create an account in the Health Professions Licensing Portal and complete the RN exam application: photo, notarized CORI form, CPS Adam Walsh form, professional/criminal history questions, and the application fee (card only).¹ healthprofessionlicensing.mass.gov¹
3. Register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-RN through the NCSBN portal and pay its fee.⁵
4. Pass the NCLEX-RN within one year of applying. PCS reviews transcripts in 5-7 business days; passing candidates get a License Letter by e-mail about 3 business days after the exam.⁵
5. Start work once your license number shows on the Massachusetts Health Professions License Verification site; renew on your birthday in even-numbered years.¹

Apply online

healthprofessionlicensing.mass.gov¹

Processing time

PCS reviews a received transcript in 5-7 business days; license letter about 3 business days after a passing NCLEX; renewals are processed immediately online.⁵

Renewal and continuing education

How often

Every 2 years³

When it expires

RN licenses expire at 11:59 PM on your birthday in even-numbered years; renew online from 90 days before. A license issued within 3 months of your birthday runs to the next cycle.⁶

Renewal fee

$120⁸ (Biennial RN renewal)

Continuing education

At least 15 hours each renewal period⁴

Required topics

Domestic and sexual violence training (Chapter 260 / M.G.L. c. 112 § 264): one-time, required for licensure and renewal unless already completed.³
One-time Alzheimer's disease/dementia (cognitive impairment) training (chapter 220 of the Acts of 2018).⁶

Approved courses

No Board list of approved providers: choose programs meeting 244 CMR 5.00 (lectures, workshops, academic courses, supervised clinical, home study, web-based). 1 CH = 60 minutes; 1 CEU = 10 CH; 1 semester credit = 15 CH. CPR, ACLS/PALS re-certification and workplace in-services do not count. Keep records for 2 cycles (4 years).⁹

Exemptions

No CE for your first renewal.⁴
CE does not apply to a cycle in which you were in active military service within 90 days before the renewal deadline; licenses of nurses on active duty stay valid until 90 days after release.³

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $57⁸ (renewal received after the expiration date, in addition to the renewal fee)

If it expires

You cannot practice on an expired license; late renewals pay the $57 late fee on top of the renewal fee. Previously licensed MA nurses renew the expired license rather than file a new application.⁶

Renew online

healthprofessionlicensing.mass.gov¹

Moving to Massachusetts with a license from another state

These are the routes BORN publishes for the Registered Nurse (RN) license.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a registered nurse in Massachusetts, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Massachusetts is on the Massachusetts license lookup page.

Look up a license

checkahealthlicense.mass.gov¹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 74-81C
• 244 CMR 8.00 (Licensure Requirements)
• 244 CMR 5.00 (Continuing Education)
• 801 CMR 4.02

Rule changes since January 2024

• April 25, 2025: 244 CMR 8.00 (licensure requirements) republished in Mass. Register #1546.³

Common questions

Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

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