How many CE hours do nurses need in Massachusetts?

Registered Nurses (RN) in Massachusetts need 15 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.

What are the mandatory CE topics in Massachusetts?

Mandatory CE topics in Massachusetts include: General CE, Domestic Violence / Sexual Violence, Alzheimer's / Dementia.

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Massachusetts?

Nursing licenses in Massachusetts must be renewed every 2 years. The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing oversees license renewals.

What license types does Massachusetts regulate?

Massachusetts regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN, CNA.

Massachusetts RN License Renewal Requirements

Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle · Last verified 2026-02-05

Quick Facts

Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE Hours (RN)	15 contact hours
Renewal Fee (RN)	$120
Compact State (NLC)	Yes — NLC member
License Types	RN, APRN, LPN, CNA

Massachusetts requires all nurses — RNs, LPNs, and APRNs — to complete 15 contact hours of continuing education every 2-year renewal cycle. Mandatory topics include a 1-hour domestic and sexual violence course every renewal and a one-time Alzheimer's/dementia training. At 15 hours, Massachusetts has one of the lowest CE requirements among the states we track. Massachusetts enacted NLC compact legislation on November 20, 2024, and multistate license implementation is in progress — check with the Board of Registration in Nursing for the latest status on multistate license issuance.

This data is verified against the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing — last checked 2026-02-05. If anything looks off, let me know.

Read the full Massachusetts RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your Massachusetts Nursing License

1Log in to the Massachusetts eLicensing portal at mass.gov
2Complete all 15 CE hours including the mandatory domestic/sexual violence course
3Complete the renewal application and answer all required questions
4Affirm completion of continuing education requirements
5Pay the renewal fee online ($120 for RN/LPN, $180 for APRN)
6Receive your renewed license confirmation

Visit the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

CE Hours by License Type

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $120

APRN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $180

LPN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $120

CNA

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $0

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
General CE	15	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	15 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle
Domestic Violence / Sexual Violence	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	1 hour of domestic and sexual violence screening and intervention training required every renewal cycle (included in total)
Alzheimer's / Dementia	0	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	One-time Alzheimer's disease and related dementia training (included in total hours if course carries CE credit). Required once for initial or first renewal after the requirement.
Nursing Practice	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	Remaining CE hours in topics relevant to your nursing practice area

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: Birthday, every 2 years (even or odd year based on license number)
Grace Period: No formal grace period; a $57 late fee applies after the birthday deadline. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing

Important Notes

• Massachusetts has one of the lowest CE hour requirements at 15 hours per 2-year cycle
• 1 hour of domestic and sexual violence training is required every renewal
• One-time Alzheimer's/dementia training is required (can count toward total CE in the year completed)
• Massachusetts enacted NLC compact legislation on November 20, 2024 — multistate license implementation is in progress
• All CE must be from approved providers recognized by the board
• Nurses should retain CE records for at least 4 years in case of audit
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCMassachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Late Renewal Fees

RN: $50
LPN: $50

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $150
LPN: $150

CE Audit Information

State board may conduct random CE audits. Retain all CE certificates for at least 4 years.

Board Resources

Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing

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

Sources

Last verified 2026-02-05·View official source →

Always confirm requirements directly with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.

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How to Renew Your Massachusetts Nursing License

1Log in to the Massachusetts eLicensing portal at mass.gov

2Complete all 15 CE hours including the mandatory domestic/sexual violence course

3Complete the renewal application and answer all required questions

4Affirm completion of continuing education requirements

5Pay the renewal fee online ($120 for RN/LPN, $180 for APRN)

6Receive your renewed license confirmation

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
General CE	15	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	15 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle
Domestic Violence / Sexual Violence	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	1 hour of domestic and sexual violence screening and intervention training required every renewal cycle (included in total)
Alzheimer's / Dementia	0	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	One-time Alzheimer's disease and related dementia training (included in total hours if course carries CE credit). Required once for initial or first renewal after the requirement.
Nursing Practice	0	Optional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNPCNA	Remaining CE hours in topics relevant to your nursing practice area

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: Birthday, every 2 years (even or odd year based on license number)
Grace Period: No formal grace period; a $57 late fee applies after the birthday deadline. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing

Important Notes

• Massachusetts has one of the lowest CE hour requirements at 15 hours per 2-year cycle

• 1 hour of domestic and sexual violence training is required every renewal

• One-time Alzheimer's/dementia training is required (can count toward total CE in the year completed)

• Massachusetts enacted NLC compact legislation on November 20, 2024 — multistate license implementation is in progress

• All CE must be from approved providers recognized by the board

• Nurses should retain CE records for at least 4 years in case of audit

• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.