Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MA BORN) · NP

15 hours. Every two years. Tied to your birth month.

Below is exactly what Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MA BORN) requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from MBRN(B~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 25, 2026

Mandatory topics

For NPs, 15 hours is the total CME requirement. Massachusetts also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 15-hour total.

Domestic violence[1]
Hrs vary
Biennial
Domestic violence and sexual violence training required for all nurses as a condition of licensure and renewal. Exact contact hours and whether one-time or recurring not fully confirmed from primary source. See mass.gov for current requirement. Applies to APRNs as well as RNs.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“As a condition of licensure, registration, or certification, and any renewal, all nurses are required to complete training and education on the issue of domestic violence and sexual violence.”
244 CMR 5.00 / Mass. Gen. LawsSee source [1] in Primary Sources
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Conditional requirements

These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.

ConditionalPharmacology[1]
Hrs vary
Biennial

APRNs with prescriptive authority in Massachusetts

View sourceVerbatim from source
“APRNs with prescriptive authority are required training relative to: Counseling patients about the side effects, addictive nature and proper storage and disposal of prescription medications; Appropriate prescription quantities for prescription medications that have an increased risk of abuse; and Opioid antagonists, overdose prevention treatments and instances in which a patient may be advised on both the use and ways to access opioid antagonists and overdose prevention treatments.”
244 CMR 4.00 / MGL Title XV, Section 18, Rule (e)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Massachusetts Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.

Credit systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
1 contact hour = 60 consecutive minutes. APRNs must maintain current national certification as a condition of Board authorization to practice — certification renewal CE may satisfy part of the 15-hour requirement if the content is qualifying. CE records must be retained for 4 years.Source244 CMR 5.00 / 244 CMR 4.00[1]
Board-approved credit
Same content standards as RN CE (244 CMR 5.04). Qualifying CE must address nursing or health care content with written objectives and qualified faculty. Orientation and in-service activities do not qualify.Source244 CMR 5.04[2]
Documentation & audit

CE documentation must be retained for 4 years; self-maintained (not submitted to Board unless requested).

RN and APRN authorizations expire at 11:59 PM on the licensee's birthday in even-numbered years. Renewal opens 90 days before expiration.

Waivers & exemptions

No formal waivers or exemptions are published for Massachusetts.

FAQ
Does Massachusetts require pharmacology or prescribing CE for NPs?
Yes, for those with prescriptive authority. Massachusetts requires APRNs with prescriptive authority to complete CE on: counseling patients about side effects, addictive nature, and proper storage and disposal of prescription medications; appropriate prescription quantities for high-abuse-risk medications; and opioid antagonists and overdose prevention treatments. The specific contact hour count for these topics should be confirmed from the full 244 CMR 4.00 text or directly with MA BORN, as it was not confirmed in this scrape.
Is Massachusetts in the APRN Compact?
No. Massachusetts is not a member of either the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) or the APRN Compact. All nurses practicing in Massachusetts must hold Massachusetts-specific licenses from MA BORN, regardless of licenses held in other states.
Does Massachusetts require national certification for APRN renewal?
Yes. Under 244 CMR 4.00, all Massachusetts APRNs must maintain current national certification through a Board-approved national certifying organization to maintain their APRN authorization to practice. Loss of national certification results in loss of APRN authorization. Accepted certifying organizations include ANCC, AANPCB, NCC, and other MA BORN-recognized bodies for the applicable specialty.
Where can I renew my Massachusetts APRN authorization?
Massachusetts APRN and RN renewal is administered through the MA BORN online renewal system at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/renew-your-nursing-license. APRN authorization expires at 11:59 PM on the licensee's birthday in even-numbered years; renewal opens 90 days before expiration. CE records are self-maintained for four years. Questions may be directed to MA BORN through the contact resources at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing.

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Sources & Citations

Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.

  1. Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing — Mandatory CE for Nurses (search index)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “As a condition of licensure, registration, or certification, and any renewal, all nurses are required to complete training and education on the issue of domestic violence and sexual violence.”244 CMR 5.00 / Mass. Gen. Laws
    “APRNs with prescriptive authority are required training relative to: Counseling patients about the side effects, addictive nature and proper storage and disposal of prescription medications; Appropriate prescription quantities for prescription medications that have an increased risk of abuse; and Opioid antagonists, overdose prevention treatments and instances in which a patient may be advised on both the use and ways to access opioid antagonists and overdose prevention treatments.”244 CMR 4.00 / MGL Title XV, Section 18, Rule (e)
  2. 244 CMR 5.04 — Criteria for CE Programs/Offerings
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CME requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MA BORN), or any other state medical board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Physicians are solely responsible for verifying their own current CME requirements directly with their state's medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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