Direct answer
The responsible authority is Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Use the verified contact details and task-specific official links on this page.
Massachusetts source-reviewed jurisdiction snapshot
| Item | Reviewed detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing |
| Public verification | Massachusetts Health Profession License Verification |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial by credential schedule |
| Renewal deadline | RN: birthday in even-numbered years. LPN: birthday in odd-numbered years. |
| Continuing competence | All Massachusetts nurses must complete 15 contact hours during each renewal time frame. |
| Fees | The official renewal page publishes the current transaction fee and a $57 late-renewal fee; confirm the base amount in the portal. |
| Compact status | NLC enacted — implementation pending |
| Credentials | RN, LPN, APRN |
| Phone | (617) 973-0800 |
| Physical location | 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 |
| Mailing address | 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 |
| Primary official domains | www.mass.gov, checkahealthlicense.mass.gov |
For Massachusetts, 7 primary official source records and 11 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide.
Responsible licensing authority
The Board of Registration in Nursing licenses RNs, LPNs and advanced-practice nurses through Massachusetts health-professions systems. Massachusetts enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact, but implementation remains pending and multistate licenses are not yet issued.
250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108Open map ↗
Confirm current service hours and walk-in availability before visiting.
Which office or system should you use?
| Goal | Route | Why and what to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Verify current license status | Massachusetts Health Profession License Verification | Use the reviewed Massachusetts primary-source route to confirm legal name, credential, status, expiration and public restrictions. Search by license number when available and document the live Massachusetts result date. |
| Renew or reactivate a license | Renew a Nursing License | Massachusetts renewal eligibility, declarations and payments belong in the official account or renewal system. Follow this published timing: RN: birthday in even-numbered years. LPN: birthday in odd-numbered years. |
| Check CE or continuing competence | Mandatory Continuing Education for Nurses | Massachusetts rules can differ by credential, first renewal, practice hours, mandatory topics or national certification. Review the exact requirement before buying coursework: All Massachusetts nurses must complete 15 contact hours during each renewal time frame. |
| Apply by endorsement | Apply by Reciprocity | The Massachusetts destination authority decides application eligibility, documents, fingerprints, fees and any temporary authority. Use Nursys where the issuing jurisdiction participates; otherwise request verification directly from that jurisdiction. |
| Use the account or transaction portal | Renew a Nursing License | Authenticated Massachusetts transactions and messages should occur only in the authority-named system. Confirm the browser domain is one of the reviewed official domains: www.mass.gov, checkahealthlicense.mass.gov. |
| Check complaints or public discipline | official complaint and discipline resource | License status and public discipline are separate questions in Massachusetts. For Massachusetts, open any public order or restriction linked by the authority; do not rely on social posts or an old screenshot. |
| Contact the licensing authority | Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing | For Massachusetts, use the responsible office for a missing document, status discrepancy, credential routing or application message. Call (617) 973-0800 with the credential, license or application number available; do not email sensitive documents unless given a secure route. |
| Use national verification or monitoring | Nursys QuickConfirm / e-Notify when accepted | Nursys can support participating-board national verification, endorsement verification and monitoring, but the Massachusetts authority remains the source for local requirements. Massachusetts has enacted compact participation but implementation is recorded as pending. Do not treat an ordinary Massachusetts license as multistate until the responsible authority confirms operational implementation and the public record shows multistate authority. |
Complete official task destinations
Massachusetts license verification ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Renew a Nursing License ↗
Official renewal requirements and licensing portal
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Mandatory continuing education ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Licensure by reciprocity ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Reciprocity eligibility ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the Massachusetts status recorded as NLC enacted — implementation pending; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026Official NLC map ↗
National compact resource used with the Massachusetts status recorded as NLC enacted — implementation pending; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a Massachusetts license.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Massachusetts source remains Massachusetts Health Profession License Verification.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside Massachusetts Health Profession License Verification for Massachusetts; follow Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · reviewed July 28, 2026Before contacting the authority
- Confirm which credential and authority apply, especially in split-board jurisdictions.
- Have the application type, license number or transaction reference available.
- Ask a specific question about a missing item, renewal eligibility, status or credential assignment.
- Do not email Social Security numbers, payment-card details or background documents unless the authority explicitly instructs a secure method.
- Record the date, office or unit contacted and the response.
- Verify final license status in the public lookup system.
Frequently asked questions
Which office handles nursing licenses in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
What is the published phone number?
(617) 973-0800
Is there a separate mailing address?
250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108
What should I prepare before contacting the authority?
Have the credential, application type, license number or transaction reference ready, but do not send sensitive records to an unverified address.
Is phone guidance proof of licensure?
No. Verify the final license status in the official public lookup system.
Should I visit the office without checking first?
No. Confirm office hours, walk-in availability and the correct unit before traveling.