Massachusetts law about nurses

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COVID-19

St.2022, c.42, § 31 Continues the authorization of nursing practice by graduates and students in their last semester of nursing education programs in accordance with guidance from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) until 180 days after the Public Health Emergency ends.

Note: COVID-19 public health emergency officially ended on May 11, 2023.

Massachusetts laws

MGL c.30A, § 14 Judicial review

MGL c.94C, § 9 Administering and dispensing of controlled substances in course of professional practice; records, inspection

MGL c.111, § 226 Mandatory overtime for nurses prohibited; exception for emergency situations

MGL c.111, § 231 Limitation on patient assignments per nurse in intensive care units

MGL c.112, § 64 Review by supreme judicial court of suspension, revocation or cancellation order

MGL c.112, §§ 65-65F Practice during suspension, revocation or cancellation of license

MGL c.112, §§ 74-81C Registration of certain professions: nursing

• MGL c. 112, § 80E Nurse practitioners may issue written prescriptions and order tests

MGL c.176R Consumer choice of nurse practitioner services; recognizes nurse practitioners as primary care providers

Massachusetts regulations

104 CMR 345 Rates for temporary nursing services

244 CMR Board of Registration in Nursing

958 CMR 8 Patient assignment limits for registered nurses in intensive care units in acute hospitals

Web sources

Board of Registration in Nursing
Includes information on getting a nursing license, the nursing complaint process, and more.

Nursing licenses
Learn how to check, apply for, or renew a nursing license and learn about Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) authorization, prescriptive authority, Mandatory Continuing Education for nurses, and COVID-19 licenses.

The complete guide to nursing in Massachusetts, nurse.org.
Thinking about working in Massachusetts? Here's everything you need to know about being a nurse in the Bay State.

Print sources

Administrative law and practice, 2nd ed. (Mass. Practice v.39) Thomson Reuters, 2016 with supplement.  Chapter 13, Section 13:16 The unlicensed practitioner.

Employment coordinator, Thomson/West, v.3, loose-leaf. Massachusetts. § 21:92.50 Maximum hours for nurses.

Nursing malpractice, 4th ed., Lawyers and Judges Pub. Co., 2011.

Professional malpractice, (Mass. Practice v.51) Thomson/West, 2007 with supplement. Chapter 12, Sections 12.3-12.10.

Last updated:	May 22, 2023