50-State Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Licensing Compliance Guide
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Massachusetts Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Licensing

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Licensing requirements for Massachusetts healthcare and pharmaceutical companies and individuals.

This page provides an overview of healthcare and pharmaceutical industry licensing in Massachusetts for individuals and businesses. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Massachusetts Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Company Licenses

Massachusetts Community Pharmacy License

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Registration to Manage and Operate a New Community Pharmacy

Instructions:

Mail to: 
MA Board of Registration in Pharmacy
239 Causeway Street, 5th floor
Boston, MA 02114

Agency Fee:

$525

Original Ink:Required
Notarize:Required
Before you Apply:
  • The pharmacist who is to managing and operating the pharmacy or pharmacy department must complete and sign the checklist and application form.
  • A statement of the scheduled hours for the pharmacy or pharmacy department. This includes regular opening and closing times for each day of the week.
  • A payment of the application fee, listed below.
  • An application for a Massachusetts controlled substance registration.
  • The application includes a fee, listed on the application.
  • It must show both the prescription and patient consultation areas.
  • The pharmacy department must be outlined in red.
  • If the corporation is not publicly owned, list the:
    • Total amount and type of stock issued to each stockholder.
    • The names and addresses of said stockholder(s).
    • Signed affidavit
  • You must sign the affidavit on the application and have it witnessed by a Notary Public.
  • Any additional information as determined by the Board.
Required Attachments:
  • If the corporation is incorporated in the Commonwealth
    • Submit a copy of the corporation's Articles of Organization, signed and sealed by the Secretary of State.
  • If the corporation in incorporated is in another state
    • Submit a copy of the corporation's Foreign Corporation Certificate, signed and sealed by the Secretary of State pursuant to M.G.L. c.181, § 4.
  • A statement of the name and address of each officer and director of the corporation and the position held.
  • The d/b/a name of the business.
  • An official blueprint or certified architectural plans drawn to scale.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$525

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for MA Controlled Substance Registration

Agency Fee:

$225

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$225

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Ambulance

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Ambulance MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$300

Registration Renewal

Form:

Ambulance MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$300

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Analytical Labs

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Analytical Labs MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$300

Registration Renewal

Form:

Analytical Labs MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$300

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Clinic

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Clinic MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$300

Registration Renewal

Form:

Clinic MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$300

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Hospital

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Hospital MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$300

Registration Renewal

Form:

Hospital MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$300

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Limited Services Clinic

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Limited Services Clinic MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$300

Registration Renewal

Form:

Limited Services Clinic MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$300

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Manufacturer and Distributor

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Manufacturer and Distributor MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$300

Registration Renewal

Form:

Manufacturer and Distributor MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$300

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Schools

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Schools MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$300

Registration Renewal

Form:

Schools MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$300

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Virtual Manufacturers and Virtual Distributors

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Automatic Exemption

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

If you are a manufacturer and/or a distributor outside of Massachusetts and your company does not manufacture, dispense or distribute a controlled substance within the Commonwealth, or possess a controlled substance in the Commonwealth for such purposes your company does not need, and has no basis for obtaining, a controlled substances registration from Massachusetts.

 

Thus, for example, a manufacturer or distributor of a prescription pharmaceutical is not required to register if manufacture, storage and distribution of the pharmaceutical is handled from outside the state and the only activity within Massachusetts is direct delivery to a registered entity in the state.

Initial Registration

Form:

Virtual Manufactures and Virtual Distributors MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$300

Registration Renewal

Form:

Virtual Manufactures and Virtual Distributors MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$300

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Non-Resident Outsourcing Facility License

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Initial Registration

Form:

Pharmacy Outsourcing Facility Application

Agency Fee:

$750

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$750

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Massachusetts Nuclear Pharmacy License

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Registration to Operate and Manage a Nuclear Pharmacy

Agency Fee:

$525

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$525

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Massachusetts Pharmaceutical Device Manufacturer Registration

Agency:Massachusetts Drug Control Program

Initial Registration

Form:

Pharmaceutical Code of Conduct - Manufacturer Initial Registration Form

Agency Fee:

$2,000

Registration Renewal

Form:

Pharmaceutical Code of Conduct - Registration Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$2,000

Due:

Annually by July 1.

Massachusetts Resident Outsourcing Facility License

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Initial Registration

Form:

Pharmacy Outsourcing Facility Application

Agency Fee:

$750

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$750

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Massachusetts Wholesale Distributor License

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Licensure as a Wholesale Distributor

Agency Fee:

$900

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$900

Due:

Annually by November 30.

Individual Licenses

Massachusetts Individual Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Licenses

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Certified Nurse Practitioner

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Advanced Practice Nurse, Physician Assistant, and CDTM Pharmacist MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Certified Nurse-Midwife

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Advanced Practice Nurse, Physician Assistant, and CDTM Pharmacist MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Advanced Practice Nurse, Physician Assistant, and CDTM Pharmacist MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Dentist

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Physicians or Dentists Initial MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Limited License Dental Intern and Limited License Faculty

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Limited License Dental Intern and Limited License Faculty MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Optometrist

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Optometrist MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Form:

Optometrist MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Pharmacist

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Advanced Practice Nurse, Physician Assistant, and CDTM Pharmacist MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Physician

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Physicians or Dentists Initial MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Physician Assistant

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Advanced Practice Nurse, Physician Assistant, and CDTM Pharmacist MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Podiatrist

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Podiatrist MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Form:

Podiatrist MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Advanced Practice Nurse, Physician Assistant, and CDTM Pharmacist MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Researcher

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Researcher MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Form:

Researcher MCSR Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) - Veterinarian

Agency:Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure - Controlled Substances Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Veterinarian MCSR Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Massachusetts Nuclear Pharmacist License

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Registration as a Nuclear Pharmacist

Agency Fee:

$300

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

By December 31 of even-numbered years.

Massachusetts Pharmacist License

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Initial Registration

Form:

Pharmacist Application by Exam

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$421

Original Ink:Not required

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Pharmacist Application by Reciprocity

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$525

Original Ink:Not required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Biennially, by December 31st of even-numbered years.

Original Ink:Not required

Massachusetts Pharmacy Intern License

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$95

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Intern licenses are valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed.

Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician in Training License

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Initial Registration

Form:

Pharmacy Technician in Training Application

Agency Fee:

$0

Notarize:Required

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Technician in training licenses are valid for one year and can be extended but not renewed.

Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician License

Agency:Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$60

Due:

Biennially by the licensee's date of birth.

Learn about healthcare and pharmaceutical licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Controlled Substance Registration - In addition to a pharmacy license, controlled substance registration registration is required in many states for pharmacies that distribute controlled substances.

NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) - Host a variety of programs and resources relating to pharmacist and pharmacy licensure and examination.

Pharmacist in Charge - A licensed pharmacist designated by a pharmacy to act as the party responsible for compliance with regulations.

VPP (Verified Pharmacy Program) - A program run by NABP that allows state boards to share information and more easily register out-of-state pharmacies.

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Office of Diversion Control

National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA)

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)

Revised December 17, 2019. Complete data last reviewed February 27, 2019.
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