Massachusetts Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations are among the job categories with the highest employment numbers in Massachusetts. And with more than 7 million residents — 18% of whom are age 65 and older — the Bay State has a lot of people who need quality care. That’s where you come in.

The Massachusetts nursing license renewal process is mandatory for RNs and LPNs who wish to remain legally cleared to practice. There are three steps to complete: determine your deadline for renewal, satisfy your continuing education, and provide your renewal information to the state nursing board via the Mass Department of Public Health Online Licensing.

Below, we break down the essential steps for nursing license renewal — Massachusetts makes this relatively painless, so you’ll be able to submit your application with little fuss.

For information about general regulations regarding nursing in this state, check out our article on the Massachusetts Nurse Practice Act.

Massachusetts Nursing Facts

If you have questions about MA nursing license renewal requirements or want to apply for a Massachusetts nursing license, here are some useful resources.

Is Massachusetts part of the nursing licensure compact (NLC)?

No.

How much do nurses in Massachusetts earn?

• The average CNA salary in Massachusetts is $44,750 per year.
• The average LPN salary in Massachusetts is $73,400 per year.
• The average RN salary in Massachusetts is $108,850 per year.

How can I contact the Massachusetts Board of Nursing?

Massachusetts Board of Nursing Phone Number: 800-414-0168

Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing

Massachusetts Board of Nursing Mailing Address
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108

Steps for Nursing License Renewal: Massachusetts

If your nursing license is issued by Massachusetts, follow the steps below. If you’re an out-of-state nurse, you can apply for a license by reciprocity.

Step 1: Determine Your Renewal Deadline

Before you can proceed with the Massachusetts nursing license renewal process, figure out when your current license expires. The dates are as follows:

• APRN and RN Licenses: 11:59 p.m. on your birthday in even-numbered years
• LPN Licenses: 11:59 p.m. on your birthday in odd-numbered years

If you’re a CNA in Massachusetts, your certification is up for renewal every two years.

Step 2: Satisfy Continuing Education Requirements

One of the requirements to renew a nursing license in Massachusetts is the completion of continuing education. All nurses must amass 15 contact hours within the two years before their license expires. Note: This doesn’t apply for your very first renewal cycle.

Nurse aides must have received payment for at least 8 hours of work performing nursing-related duties within the past two years.

Need help fulfilling your continuing education? IntelyEdu has a variety of courses and is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Step 3: File Your Massachusetts Nursing License Renewal Online or Via Mail

The period during which you may renew a nursing license in MA begins 90 days before your license expires. To renew a nursing license online, visit the Mass Department of Public Health Online Licensing homepage. Note: Do not use Google Chrome; only use Internet Explorer or Firefox.

For first-time users, you’ll need to create an account and link it to your nursing license. If you need technical assistance, you can call the help desk at 617-973-0935 or email elicensing.helpdesk@mass.gov. If you have questions about licensing requirements, contact the Board of Nursing.

Once you’re logged in, look for your nursing license and click on the “Show Details” button. If you’re within the renewal timeframe, you’ll see a renewal application link. Click that link and then on the “Start Application” button.

Fill out each page of the application. You will eventually come to the Payment page. When you click on “Pay Fee,” you’ll be brought to a secure e-pay vendor page. The Massachusetts Board of Nursing license renewal fees are as follows:

• RN and LPN renewal fee: $120
• APRN renewal fee: $180

After you pay, click the “Continue to Application” button to return to the Massachusetts nurse licensing system and then review all the information. If it’s correct, click “submit.” Most renewal applications are automatically renewed upon submission; check for an email confirmation. Your license will be attached to the email.

The state no longer provides paper licenses, but you can go online to check your Massachusetts Board of Nursing application status and print a license verification.

Prefer to renew a Massachusetts nursing license by mail? Request a form by emailing renew.bymail@state.ma.us. Fill out the form and return it to:

Mass Department of Public Health
Division of Health Professions Licensure
P.O. Box 414394
Boston, MA 02241-4394

CNA Renewal

CNAs have a separate process. If you’re a nursing aide, you must renew through the Health Professions Licensing System. You can download the MA Nurse Aide Registry Renewal Employer Form, which has a code and instructions that explain how your employer can upload the completed, signed document.

You can check your status by visiting the Massachusetts Health Professions License Verification site.

Great Cities in Massachusetts for Nursing Jobs

When your renewal process is complete, you can begin searching for RN jobs, LPN jobs, CNA jobs, and nurse practitioner jobs in Massachusetts. Get specific in your search by focusing on some of the state’s more populous areas, such as:

• Boston
• Lowell
• New Bedford
• Springfield
• Worcester

Find Top Massachusetts Nursing Jobs

Finished your Massachusetts nursing license renewal and need help finding work? Check out all nursing jobs in Massachusetts that are available on IntelyCare right now, and pick the one that is the best fit for you.