Apply for a nursing license by reciprocity

As a part of the application, you must verify each license you hold using the Nursys license verification system (Nursys). 

If you are licensed in a state that does not participate in Nursys, please contact the state Board you are licensed by. Follow their instructions to get proof of your license verification.

If you were educated outside of the United States

See our information for foreign educated nurses.

If you have been previously licensed in Massachusetts as a RN or LPN

Do not complete a new application, renew your expired license.

The Board has established processes to expedite requests for licensure by reciprocity when responding to disease outbreak or other critical public health concerns.

Order of the Commissioner: Expedited Nursing Licensure: Policy 10-03 Activated (PDF) | (DOC)

Expedited Processing of Reciprocal License Applications Policy (PDF) | (DOC)

• Guidance for Nursing Practice by Graduates and Students in Their Last Semester of Nursing Education Programs
• You can start work as a nurse once your license number appears on the board's website. Check a nursing license.
• You and your employer may print a copy of your license verification from the Board's website.
• Applications for Licensure by Reciprocity will not be accepted unless they contain a Social Security Number (SSN). Pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, s. 13A and G.L. c. 62C, s. 47A, the Bureau of Health Professions Licensure is required to obtain your SSN and forward it to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. The Department of Revenue will use your SSN to ascertain whether or not you are in compliance with Massachusetts tax laws (G.L. c. 62C, s. 47A) and child support laws (G.L. c. 119A, s.16).
• The Welcome Back Center assist nurses trained in other countries to become registered nurses in Massachusetts. Many internationally educated nurses come to Massachusetts and find it difficult to obtain a license to practice here.  The process can be complicated and involves working with several different agencies, filling out forms and sometimes meeting additional educational requirements. If you were a nurse in another country and are a current Massachusetts resident and want to be a nurse in Massachusetts, they can help you.
  • BHCC - Welcome back

Credential Evaluation Reports

Please contact one of the Board approved credentialing agencies and request your credential evaluation report to be released to MA. Please contact PCS when the report has been made available to MA. Alternatively, PCS will also accept the report directly from another state Board of nursing that evaluated your credential evaluation report for licensure purposes. The state Board of nursing will need to mail your report to PCS at the address below. Credential evaluation reports that state “applicant copy” will not be accepted.

PCS
Attn: MA Nursing Coordinator
P.O. Box 198788
Nashville, TN 37219

• Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., International Education Consultants (JS&A)
• The Evaluation Company (TEC)

When to renew

• An RN license expires on your birthday in even-numbered years
• An LPN license expires on your birthday in odd-numbered years
• If your license is issued within 3 months of your birthday, it will be valid until the next renewal cycle
• Licenses issued outside of the 3 months of your birthday require renewal