Massachusetts Nursing License: Lookup, Renewal, CE, and Fees
Massachusetts's Nurse Licensure Compact membership is pending. RNs renew every 2 years, complete 15 hours of continuing education per cycle, and pass the NCLEX-RN.
Look up a Massachusetts nursing license
The lookup runs on Massachusetts's state licensing portal, which covers RNs alongside other licensed professions. Nursys Quick Confirm is a free national check you can use as a second source.
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health) · read 2026-09-02 · a dash means the board publishes no figure
Renewal and continuing education in Massachusetts
A Massachusetts RN license runs on a two-year renewal cycle and expires at 11:59 PM on the license holder's birthday in an even-numbered year; the board opens renewal 90 days before that expiration date. A license issued within three months of the birthday stays valid until the following cycle. Renewal requires completing 15 hours of continuing education; the board does not state specific mandatory CE topics for renewal, nor does it state what happens if a license lapses.
Renewing a Massachusetts RN license costs $120, compared with $230 for an initial license application. Both figures cover the license fee alone; the NCLEX-RN exam fee and any fingerprint-based background check fee are separate costs, paid through their own processes rather than included in the licensing fee.
How much does a Massachusetts RN license cost?
Board fees exclude exam registration and fingerprinting · Massachusetts board fee schedule ↗ · read 2026-09-02
Moving to Massachusetts: endorsement and temporary permits
Massachusetts is not yet a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, though the state signed compact legislation into law in November 2024. The board reports the Compact is not yet in effect; it received conditional FBI approval for the required federal background checks in May 2026 and is targeting implementation for May 2027, and multistate license applications are not yet available. A nurse moving to Massachusetts today cannot obtain a multistate license and must instead apply through standard endorsement.
A nurse licensed elsewhere applies for endorsement through the Health Professions Licensing Portal for $275 plus a $30 verification fee per license, verified through Nursys or the other state's board directly. Applicants provide a Social Security number and attest to good moral character; the board's materials do not state a fingerprint or English-proficiency requirement for this pathway. Massachusetts offers no temporary permit and no state law exam. A nurse previously licensed in Massachusetts renews instead of reapplying.
Education and exam for an RN license in Massachusetts
To become licensed as an RN in Massachusetts, an applicant must graduate from a board-approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. There is no separate state jurisprudence or law exam. Applicants must also attest to good moral character and complete one-time training in cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's care, with no set number of hours required, along with training on domestic and sexual violence. The board's materials do not break out separate requirements by degree type.
What do RNs earn in Massachusetts?
BLS OES May 2025 · 88,200 RNs employed in Massachusetts · RN salary in Massachusetts by city →
Nearby states
| State | Compact | Renewal | CE per cycle | Initial fee | Lookup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | Pending | Every 2 years | 15 hours | $230 | Verify |
| Connecticut | Yes | Every year | 2 hours | $180 | Verify |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Every 2 years | 30 hours | $116 | Verify |
| New York | No | Every 3 years | — | $143 | Verify |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Every 2 years | 10 hours | $135 | Verify |
| Vermont | Yes | Every 2 years | — | $75 | Verify |
Official boards of nursing · read 2026-09-02
Sources
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health) ↗licensure, renewal, CE, and fee ruleshigh confidence
- mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-nursing-license-by-exam
- mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-nursing-license-by-reciprocity
- mass.gov/how-to/renew-your-nursing-license
- mass.gov/info-details/mandatory-continuing-education-for-nurses
- mass.gov/info-details/check-eligibility-for-a-nursing-license-by-exam
- mass.gov/how-to/check-a-nursing-license
- Nursys ↗ national license verification
- BLS OES May 2025 Massachusetts RN wages and employment
Read 2026-09-02. Rules and fees change; confirm with the board before acting.