Nursing License from Massachusetts to New York: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Does New York accept a Massachusetts nursing license?
A nursing license transfers from Massachusetts to New York by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, verify your Massachusetts license, and meet New York's endorsement requirements. NCLEX is not retaken; your out-of-state license is verified to NYSED through Nursys (or Form 3 if your state does not participate).
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Neither Massachusetts nor New York participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so this is a classic endorsement move: New York's board verifies the license you already hold and issues its own. Nothing about Massachusetts speeds it up or slows it down — the timeline below is New York's standard out-of-state queue.
What's different between Massachusetts and New York
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into New York. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
Massachusetts to New York (this page): Licensure by endorsement.
New York to Massachusetts (the reverse move): Licensure by endorsement.
The route is the same in both directions.
- Does coming from Massachusetts matter?
Coming from Massachusetts does not change the answer: every origin (the other 49 states and DC) gets the same result for a move into New York.
- NLC membership
Massachusetts has enacted the NLC but is not issuing under it yet; New York is not in the NLC.
Because they are not both active members, the NLC does not cover this move.
- Application fee
New York lists $143 for an out-of-state applicant and Massachusetts lists $275 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.
- Exam rules on record
New York and Massachusetts carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
- New York (this move): NCLEX is not retaken; your out-of-state license is verified to NYSED through Nursys (or Form 3 if your state does not participate)
- Massachusetts (the reverse move): NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys
What changes, Massachusetts → New York
| Massachusetts (current) | New York (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC enacted — not yet issuing | Licensure by endorsement |
| Application fee | $275 (reciprocity application; + $30 Nursys license verification fee per license held) | $143 (licensure and first registration fee (Form 1); NYSED's $35 limited permit is only for applicants who have never taken the NCLEX-RN, so it is not available to nurses already licensed by exam; NYSED RN checklists list no fingerprint background check) |
| Processing time | board does not publish a timeline; no temporary licenses issued; expedited processing policies exist for critical public-health needs | NYSED does not publish processing times for RN licensure applications |
| Licensing authority | Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing | New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New York sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm New York's current requirements on the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Complete NYSED-approved infection control coursework.
- Complete an approved child abuse identification and reporting course, or qualify for an exemption.
- Have your nursing school send Form 2 (Certification of Professional Education) and official transcript directly to NYSED.
- Demonstrate good moral character.
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Massachusetts to New York?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- NYSED Office of the Professions — RN Pathway #3 (licensed in another state) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- NYSED Office of the Professions — RN License Requirements ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- NYSED Office of the Professions — How do I apply for Licensure by Endorsement? ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Mass.gov — Apply for a nursing license by reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Mass.gov — Check eligibility for a nursing license by reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Mass.gov BORN — The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Mass.gov BORN — Implementation of the Nursing Licensure Compact (memorandum, PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Mass.gov BORN — Licensure Policy 10-03, Expedited Processing of Reciprocal License Applications (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
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