About Board approved prelicensure nursing programs

Board approved nursing programs, statistics, and first time pass rates on NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN.

Board Approved prelicensure nursing programs and their locations in Massachusetts

Find an accredited nursing program

For information on the approval status of all Board approved nursing programs, see our table of Approved Registered Nurse & Practical Nurse Programs 2026.

The Board of Registration in Nursing approves prelicensure nursing education programs. In order to be eligible for the NCLEX, you must have graduated from a Board approved nursing program.

• Learn about approval vs accreditation
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)

NCLEX statistics

The following reports provide information about how graduates of Board Approved pre-licensure nursing programs perform on the NCLEX -RN and NCLEX-PN.

Registered Nurse reports

• Percent Passing of First-Time Registered Nurse Candidates Educated in Massachusetts Regardless of State of Initial Licensure (PDF) | (XLSX)

Practical Nurse reports

• Percent Passing of First-time Practical Nurse Candidates Educated in Massachusetts Regardless of State of Initial Licensure (PDF) | (XLSX)

NCLEX quarterly summary statistics

• 2025 NCLEX Report MA Graduates Regardless of State of Licensure (PDF) | (XLSX)
• 2025 NCLEX Summary Report MA Licensure Candidates Regardless of State of Education (PDF) | (XLSX)

Admissions, graduations, & enrollments

The following reports provide information about Board approved pre-licensure nursing program statistics on admissions, graduates, and enrollment numbers.

• 2025 Admissions Numbers by Nursing Programs (PDF) | (XLS)