FAQ

You will receive an email from Professional Credential Services (PCS) when your transcript has been received and reviewed.  Please allow 5-7 business days from the date received

Please CLICK HERE for Good Moral Character Requirements for Licensure.

After logging into your application on ELX (healthprofessionlicensingadmin.mass.gov), navigate to the Application Data Tab and click the pencil icon located at the top right corner of the demographic box. Select Photo. Ensure you upload a recent, standard 2x2 passport-style photo with a solid background; driver's license photos are not permissible.

If you need to correct a previously submitted application, please email customerservice@pcshq.com.  A Professional Credential Services (PCS) coordinator will reopen your application, allowing you to make the necessary corrections. Once your edits are complete, please resubmit your application.

A foreign trained applicant residing outside of United States, can apply for a license without an SSN.

You must submit the affidavit form linked below and answer "yes' to the application question: "I am a foreign national not physically present in the United States, I do not have a Social Security Number."

Once you are licensed, you have one year to obtain an SSN number and update the Board of Registration in Nursing.

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATION FOR MASSACHUSETTS NURSE LICENCURE BY EXAMINATION

Follow the instructions on the NCLEX® Accommodation Request Form, which can be found in the “Links and Forms” drop down list on the https://manurse.pcshq.com Home page.

The MA Board of Registration in Nursing will review your submitted documentation and notify you of any granted special accommodations. Please allow the Board 8 weeks for this review.

Repeat candidates needing special accommodations must follow this procedure each time they apply for the exam.

Candidates may re-take the NCLEX exam multiple times, with 45 days in between attempts.  If you are re-testing, you may log into your account on ELX (healthprofessionlicensingadmin.mass.gov) to submit a re-exam application, and you can register with Pearson/VUE any time after receiving your scores. However, your Authorization to Test (ATT) will not be effective until your 45 day waiting period has passed. Your ATT will be valid for 60 days from the date of eligibility posted on the ATT.  If the ATT expires, you will be required to re-register and pay applicable fees via the Health Professions Licensing System and Pearson/VUE. There are no extensions granted to an ATT.

Candidates that do not pass the exam within one year of submitting their initial application will need to re-apply as a first-time candidate.

A licensure application will remain active for one (1) year from the date of receipt by Professional Credential Services (PCS) or submission to the Massachusetts Health Professional Licensing website.

• If the application is not complete, including meeting all licensure requirements, and achieving a “Pass” on the NCLEX within one (1) year from the date of receipt by PCS or Massachusetts Health Professional Licensing, the applicant must complete a new Initial Licensure by Examination Application in order to retake the NCLEX.
• Applicants who have an active licensure application (within 1 year of submission to PCS) and who must re-write the NCLEX, must submit a Nurse Initial Licensure by NCLEX Re-examination Application.  The Certificate of Graduation and Official Final Transcript will be retained by PCS. You are not required to submit a new Certificate of Graduation or Transcript unless requested by the Massachusetts Board.

You can submit your application for initial nursing licensure prior to your graduation date. However, the Certification of Graduation (COG) Form must be completed by the authorized administrator of your program AFTER your official graduation date. All COGs submitted prior to the official graduation date will be deemed insufficient. Nursing Program Administrators will be required to re-submit a COG after the graduation date. Please Note: All applications remain active for one (1) year from the date of receipt.

Please visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, for RN/PN education program codes and NCLEX test information.

Please submit the Information Change Request Form.

Click here to read the MA Board of Registration in Nursing TESTS OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LICENSURE POLICY 06-01).

If you are an internationally educated nursing applicant, residing in Massachusetts, you can contact the Welcome Back Center for further assistance:  https://www.bhcc.edu/welcomeback/

Please visit https://www.nursys.com/NLV/NLVTerms.aspx to request verification through NURSYS.

Please visit https://portal.ncsbn.org/ to register with Pearson Vue for the NCLEX.

Please click here for more information about licensing benefits for active duty military, relocated military spouses, and veterans.

For information about your license expiration date, please visit Renew your nursing license | Mass.gov.