Massachusetts Nurse Licensing Guide

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Massachusetts Nurse License Overview

eNLC:

Walk-Through:

Temp License:

Nursys:

Yes

(800) 414-0168

Endorsement Application: $275

License Verification Fee: $30.00

Fees are the same for RNs and LPNs

4-5 weeks upon receipt of all required materials.

Renewal cadence: RN licenses expire on your birthday in even-numbered years. LPN licenses expire on your birthday in odd-numbered years.
- If your license is issued within 3 months of your birthday, it will be valid until the next renewal cycle. Licenses issued outside of the 3 months of your birthday require renewal.

Renewal fee: $120. Late renewals will incur an additional fee of $57.
Required contact hours: 15 contact hours per renewal period. Click here for more information.
The renewal period begins 90 days before your birthday.

Paper licenses are not distributed. License verification and status can be found here. You can start work as a nurse once your license number appears on the board's website.
The Massachusetts Board of Nursing does not require fingerprints in order to gain licensure through endorsement.
Applications need to be completed within 1 year of being started.
Foreign-educated nurses may be required to provide additional documentation.
Credit card is the only accepted form of payment.

The process is the same for RNs and LPNs. Read the Statutes, Rules, Regulations, and Policies. Your electronic signature on the online application will attest that you completed this requirement.
Complete the online application here.
Provide proof that you graduated from a board-approved nursing program.
Provide that you are of good moral character, as defined by Massachusetts state law.

You will be required to provide specific documentation for evaluation if you answer yes to questions related to criminal or disciplinary history.
At this time, you will also provide consent for a background check to be conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) database.
Applicants should allow a minimum of 8 weeks to complete the GMC evaluation after all required documents have been received.

Provide evidence that you have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Request to have your Official Final Transcript that led to initial RN licensure sent directly to the Board from your educational program.

If you have multiple nursing degrees, please submit the transcript from your first RN nursing diploma/degree program.
The Board will accept final official electronic transcripts received directly from the primary source (such as the School, Parchment, or the National Student Clearinghouse) via a secure server to transcripts@pcshq.com or mailed to:‍

ATTN: MA Board of Registration in Nursing
C/O MA Nurse Coordinator
P.O. Box 198788 Nashville, TN 37219

Obtain a 2×2 color passport-size photo. This is required before starting your online application. The photo must have a plain background and be taken within the last year.
Request verification of licensure via Nursys from your original state of licensure. If this state does not participate in Nursys, you will need to contact that state's BON and request verification be sent to the Massachusetts BON.
Provide a valid Social Security number.