Overview
The mission of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth through the fair and consistent application of the statutes and regulations governing nursing practice and nursing education.
Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Examination
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Complete the Massachusetts nurse licensure by examination application form as directed. Applicants pursuing both an RN and PN license must submit a separate application for each.
- Pay appropriate fees.
- Verify graduation status from the administrators of your nursing program situated in the United States or its territories. Graduates of non-U.S. nursing education programs and former RN students applying for PN licensure must attach applicable Board-issued certificate in lieu of graduation certification by nursing education program administrator.
- A licensure application will remain current for one (1) year from the date of receipt by Professional Credential Services (PCS) pending completion of all nurse licensure requirements, including achievement of a “Pass” on the NCLEX. Applicants who have a current licensure application (within 1 year of submission to PCS) and who must re-write the NCLEX may reapply for licensure by phone. Resubmission of a completed Certification of Graduation is not required.
- An application will expire if any requirements for nurse licensure by examination are not met within one (1) year from the date of the receipt of the application by PCS on behalf of the Board. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Register with the testing agency before or just after submitting the licensure application to take the licensure test, NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination). You may use any of the following ways to complete the registration:
- Register online. The registration fee of $200 can be paid via American Express, Visa, or MasterCard. OR
- By mail: You may request the Board of Nursing office to send an NCLEX registration form. Provide essential details in the form and include an appropriate fee of $200.00 in the form of a money order or cashier’s check made payable to the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing). Mail it to the following address:
NCLEX Operations
Post Office Box 64950
St. Paul, Minnesota- 55164-0950
- When all your essential documents are approved, the Board will inform the testing agency, Pearson VUE, making you eligible to take the licensure exam.
- Pearson VUE will send you an ATT (Authorization to Test) via email or on the address provided by you during the registration process.
- Canadian Educated Applicants and All Other Foreign Educated Applicants must follow the appropriate application process.
For more information about the examination process, click here.
Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure by Reciprocity
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Good moral character as established by the Board.
- Graduation from a Registered Nurse (RN) education program approved by the Board of Nursing in the state of original licensure. Graduates of a nursing program whose language of instruction or textbooks (classroom instruction and clinical practice) or textbooks was not in English must demonstrate English proficiency as established by the Board.
- Achievement of a pass score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) for Registered Nurses. Nurses who took the State Board examination in Puerto Rico are not eligible for RN licensure by reciprocity. Only RN’s licensed in Puerto Rico by NCLEX-RN are eligible in Massachusetts for RN licensure by reciprocity.
- Pay appropriate fees.
- Complete the application.
- Attach a 2” x 2” passport-size photograph.
- Enclose the non-refundable, non-transferable licensure application fee. Payment may be made by Visa, MasterCard, or money order made payable to PCS.
- Submit both application and payment to PCS at:
Professional Credential Services
ATTN: MA Reciprocity Nursing
P.O. Box 198788
Nashville, TN 37219
- For all states that participate in the Nursys License Verification System:
- Go to nursys.com and follow the instructions including paying the necessary fee. Nursys will your verification online and it will remain available for 90 days.
- For all states which do not participate in theNursys License Verification System:
- Complete the authorization portion at the top of the attached Verification of Nurse Licensure by Reciprocity form found on page of the application;
- Enclose the appropriate verification fee (contact the Board of Nursing in that state for fee information);
- Submit the Verification of Nurse Licensure by Reciprocity form and payment directly to the Board of Nursing in that jurisdiction or country (that board will complete and must mail directly to PCS on your behalf). Note: The Verification of Nurse Licensure by Reciprocity form will expire 6 months from the date of receipt by PCS.
- For nurses who practiced outside of the United States following licensure in any jurisdiction (U.S., D.C., or U.S. Territory) verification of licensure in the country in which you practiced is required.
- If applicable, demonstrate English proficiency.
For more information on RN licensure by reciprocity, click here.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Reciprocity
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Good moral character as established by the Board.
- Graduation from a Registered Nurse (RN) or Practical Nurse (PN) or Vocational Nurse (VN) education program approved by the Board of Nursing in the state of original licensure. Former students in good standing at an approved professional nursing program who, at the time of withdrawal, had completed a program of study, theory, and clinical practice equivalent to that required for graduation from a MA approved practical nursing program, must have such program completion certified by the Board.
- Achievement of a pass score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN®) or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) for Practical Nurses. Only PNs licensed in Puerto Rico by NCLEX-PN are eligible in Massachusetts for PN licensure by reciprocity.
- Pay appropriate fees.
- Complete the application.
- Attach a 2” x 2” passport-size photograph.
- Enclose the non-refundable, non-transferable licensure application fee. Payment may be made by Visa, MasterCard, or money order made payable to PCS.
- Submit both application and payment to PCS at:
Professional Credential Services
ATTN: MA Reciprocity Nursing
P.O. Box 198788
Nashville, TN 37219
- Provide verification of all Advanced Practice and/or RN and/or LPN/LVN licensure in all jurisdictions that you are currently or have ever been licensed.
- For all states that participate in the Nursys License Verification System:
- Go to nursys.com and follow the instructions including paying the necessary fee. Nursys will your verification online and it will remain available for 90 days.
- For all states which do not participate in theNursys License Verification System:
- Complete the authorization portion at the top of the attached Verification of Nurse Licensure by Reciprocity form found on page of the application;
- Enclose the appropriate verification fee (contact the Board of Nursing in that state for fee information);
- Submit the Verification of Nurse Licensure by Reciprocity form and payment directly to the Board of Nursing in that jurisdiction or country (that board will complete and must mail directly to PCS on your behalf). Note: The Verification of Nurse Licensure by Reciprocity form will expire 6 months from the date of receipt by PCS.
- For nurses who practiced outside of the United States following licensure in any jurisdiction (U.S., D.C., or U.S. Territory) verification of licensure in the country in which you practiced is required.
- If applicable, demonstrate English proficiency.
For more information on LPN licensure by reciprocity, click here.
For more information visit the official Massachusetts Board of Nursing website.