Massachusetts Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 15 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
Massachusetts requires registered nurses to complete 15 contact hours of continuing education within the 2-year period before their license renewal date. RNs renew on their birthday in even-numbered years. First-time renewals are fully exempt from CE requirements.
Mandatory topics include domestic and sexual violence training at each renewal (no specific hour count mandated) and a one-time Alzheimer's disease and dementia care course at initial licensure or first renewal. Both count toward the 15-hour total. The Board does not maintain a list of approved CE programs — it is the nurse's responsibility to select programs that meet regulatory requirements under 244 CMR 5.00.
Notably, CPR courses cannot count as CE, and re-certification of ACLS or PALS is not accepted (though initial certification is). Required workplace in-services also do not qualify. Academic credit converts at 15 contact hours per semester credit and 10 contact hours per CEU.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic and Sexual Violence Training | — | Every renewal | Required at each renewal per Chapter 260. Included in the 15 contact hours total. Specific hour count not mandated by the board. |
| Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care | — | One-time | One-time requirement at initial licensure or first renewal. Training on diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with cognitive impairments, including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Included in the 15 contact hours total. |
First Renewal vs. Standard Renewal
Exemptions
- First Renewal Exemption — You do not have to complete any CE requirements for your first renewal.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Massachusetts CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Massachusetts that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — Only contact hours earned within the 2 years before your license renewal date will satisfy the requirement. No carry-over of excess hours.
- CPR courses cannot be applied as CE.
- Initial certification of ACLS and PALS may be applied, but not re-certification.
- Required workplace in-services are not accepted as CE for license renewal.
- 1 semester college credit = 15 contact hours; 1 CEU = 10 contact hours.
- Planned, supervised clinical instruction: 1 CH per 100 minutes.
- Maintain CE records for 2 consecutive renewal periods (4 years).
- When renewing, you attest under penalties of perjury to compliance with CE requirements.
- Academic or college courses must be relevant to nursing or leading to an academic degree in nursing.
- RNs renew on birthday in even-numbered years; LPNs in odd-numbered years.
- Regulations: 244 CMR 5.00 Continuing Education.
Provider Requirements
The Board does not have a list of approved CE programs. It is the nurse's responsibility to select a CE program that meets the Board's regulatory requirements as defined in 244 CMR 5.00. Programs approved by a professional review process or by other jurisdictions' boards of nursing generally satisfy Massachusetts CE requirements. CME, AMA, or other professionally recognized credit may satisfy the requirement.
Tips for Massachusetts RNs
- Only CE hours earned within the 2 years before your renewal date count — there is no carry-over. Plan your coursework within the active renewal window.
- The Board does not pre-approve providers, so choose courses from professionally recognized organizations (ANCC-accredited, other state boards, or accredited institutions) to ensure compliance.
- CPR and ACLS/PALS re-certification do not count toward your 15 hours. Only initial ACLS and PALS certification qualifies.
- Maintain CE records for at least 4 years (2 consecutive renewal periods). You attest to compliance under penalty of perjury at renewal.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing's official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Mar 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.