Massachusetts vs Rhode Island for RN Licensing
Total Fees
$465
MA
vs
$325
RI
Timeline
8-12 wks
MA
vs
4-8 wks
RI
Renewal Fee
$120
MA
vs
$135
RI
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Massachusetts | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fees | $465 | $325 ✓ |
| Application Fee | $230 | $135 ✓ |
| Exam Fee | $200 | $200 |
| Processing Time | 8-12 weeks | 4-8 weeks ✓ |
| Renewal Cycle | 2 years | 2 years |
| Renewal Fee | $120 ✓ | $135 |
| CE Hours | 15 hrs | 10 hrs ✓ |
| NLC Compact Member | Pending | Yes |
Key Differences
→
Cost
Rhode Island is $140 cheaper for initial licensing fees.
Winner: Rhode Island
→
Processing Speed
Rhode Island processes applications in 4-8 weeks.
Winner: Rhode Island
→
NLC Compact
Rhode Island is an NLC compact state, allowing practice in 40+ states with one license.
Winner: Rhode Island
→
Renewal Cost
Massachusetts has lower renewal fees at $120 per cycle.
Winner: Massachusetts
Category Winners
Lower Cost
Rhode Island $325
vs Massachusetts ($465)
Faster Processing
Rhode Island 4-8 wks
vs Massachusetts (8-12 wks)
Cheaper Renewal
Massachusetts $120
vs Rhode Island ($135)
Rhode Island Board
Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education
Official Website →Compare More States
Browse all RN state-to-state comparisons or use our interactive tool.