Massachusetts Nursing License Requirements

Massachusetts offers a great home for professional and aspiring nurses alike. About 84,000 registered nurses (RNs) work in Massachusetts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The Bay State also ranks among the highest-paying states for RNs, ranking third in highest mean salary.

If you are interested in becoming an MA nurse, you can find many nursing programs in Massachusetts and employment opportunities at major hospitals. Read on to learn more about how to become a registered nurse in Massachusetts.

Becoming a nurse in Massachusetts requires candidates to complete education requirements, supervised experiences, and exams. Nurses often supplement their credentials with continuing education credits or certification, and they must renew their licenses regularly. The steps below outline how to become a registered nurse in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Board of Nursing operates as the regulatory organization for nurses in the state. This is the department in charge of issuing and renewing licenses for professional nurses at every level. Nurses cannot legally practice in the state without board-issued licensure.

The board also provides resources for aspiring and professional nurses. Individuals can find application forms online, check their licenses and print license verification, and learn about renewal requirements. Accreditation information and updates on the state’s licensure compact status can be found on the site. Nurses can visit the board’s website about their professional scope of practice too.

New nurses can apply by examination, which involves taking the NCLEX-RN soon after earning their nursing degrees. Nurses who move from other states but want to practice in Massachusetts can apply by reciprocity.

Massachusetts is not a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means that nurses who apply by reciprocity must fulfill requirements stipulated by the state.

RNs need to renew their licenses every two years. In Massachusetts, nurse licensure expires on individuals’ birthdays every even-numbered year. RNs should apply to renew their credentials through the Massachusetts Board of Nursing.

To renew their licenses, each RN needs to complete 15 contact hours of continuing education. They can fulfill these requirements through lectures or workshops, often hosted by professional associations or their employers. They can also enroll in college courses or participate in supervised clinical experiences. Some nurses may prefer independent study through home courses or online programs.

Additionally, RNs need to maintain standing with good moral character, as defined by Massachusetts law. Renewing RN licensure in Massachusetts costs $120.

Massachusetts ranks as the third-highest state for mean RN salaries in the country. BLS data also indicates that RNs in the state take home a mean salary of $96,250.

In the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua area, RNs earn a mean salary of $99,410. In the next four highest-paying metro areas — Worcester, Leominster-Gardner, Barnstable Town, and New Bedford — RNs earn mean salaries of over $80,000.

The employment outlook for RNs in Massachusetts remains optimistic as well, with the BLS projecting a 8.2% increase in RN employment from 2018-2028.

The following hospitals, which each employ at least 1,500 nurses, come from U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals in Massachusetts list, which calculates factors like patient outcomes and quality of care to determine its rankings.

Students who enroll in associate degree programs can obtain their nursing licenses in two years, while bachelor’s degree enrollees typically take four years. Many individuals enroll in school part time, which can add an extra year or two to their nursing licensure timeline.

Massachusetts’ nursing board sets different RN license fees, depending on how you apply for your nursing license. Candidates who apply by taking the NCLEX-RN exam must pay an application fee of $230. An out-of-state nurse applying by reciprocity pays a $275 fee.

Massachusetts does not participate in the NLC. Nurses moving to Massachusetts from out of state must apply through reciprocity. Each out-of-state nurse must have graduated from a board-approved nursing program, passed the NCLEX, and possess licensure from another state. They must also stand in “good moral character” as defined by the Massachusetts Board of Nursing.

You can apply to take the NCLEX exam in Massachusetts through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. First, you must apply for licensure through the Massachusetts nursing board, and then you can register for the NCLEX with Pearson Vue, either online or through a telephone call.