How do I apply for a Massachusetts nursing license by endorsement?

Apply through the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Requirements, fees, and processing times are set by the board and change, so use the official board site for specifics — we do not list them here to avoid giving outdated figures.

Is endorsement the same as a compact license?

No. Endorsement gives you that state's own single-state license. A compact license is one multistate license that covers all compact states. See our endorsement vs compact guide.

CompactStates

How to get a nursing license in Massachusetts by endorsement

If you are already licensed in another state, endorsement is usually how you get licensed in Massachusetts. Here is how it works and when the compact is the better path.

How do I get a nursing license in Massachusetts by endorsement?

You apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for a Massachusetts license by endorsement, based on your existing license. Because Massachusetts is not a compact state, endorsement is the main route to practice here — a multistate license from another state does not authorize Massachusetts practice.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

What licensure by endorsement means

Endorsement is applying for Massachusetts’s own license based on an existing license in good standing. You end up holding a Massachusetts license. It is different from a compact license, which is one multistate license covering all compact states.

Applying through the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing

Applications go through the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Requirements and fees are set by the board and change over time, so we point you to the official source rather than listing specifics that could go stale.

Why the compact does not help here

Since Massachusetts is non-compact, there is no Massachusetts multistate license and privilege from other states does not reach Massachusetts. Endorsement is the route. See non-compact states.

Next-step checklist

Confirm your current license is active and unencumbered (Nursys).
Open the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing endorsement application.
Follow the board's current requirements and fees (do not rely on third-party figures).
Plan for processing time before you need to start work in Massachusetts.

Frequently asked questions

No. Massachusetts is not a compact state, so a multistate license does not authorize practice in Massachusetts. You generally need a Massachusetts license by endorsement.