A Message from School Health Services

Starting January 1, 2025, the School Health Screenings and SBIRT in Schools trainings will no longer be required for DESE licensure. These trainings will still be offered and are required for anyone conducting screenings.

From January 1, 2025, only the Foundations of School Nursing Practice and An Introduction to Medication Administration and Delegation in MA Schools courses will be required for initial and provisional school nurse licensure. This change aims to help reduce barriers for those seeking licensure or hiring new school nurses.

 

To work in public schools, nurses must be licensed by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). A condition of licensure is the completion of an orientation program defined by the MA Department of Public Health (MDPH).
Note: School Nurse Medication Program Managers who are signatories on their public or non-public school entity's MDPH Medication Administration Registration must take both medication courses listed below every three years.
  1. Foundations of School Nursing Practice (1)
  2. An Introduction to Medication Administration and Delegation in MA Schools (1, 2)
  3. Managing a Medication Administration and Delegation Program in MA Schools (2)
(1) Required for initial school nurse licensure
(2) Required every three years for public and non-public School Nurse Medication Program Managers who are signatories on their school entity's medication administration registration applications

Required if conducting screenings:

  1. School Health Screenings
  2. SBIRT in Schools (provided by MASBIRT TTA)

 

Looking for the UAP course? You can find it here: Medication Administration for Unlicensed Assistive Personnel.

 

Please email [email protected] or call us at 617-358-5005 with any questions.