diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/advanced-settings.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/advanced-settings.py
index 18e179abdb..201ac49e52 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/advanced-settings.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/advanced-settings.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #pylint: disable=W0621
 
 from lettuce import world, step
-from nose.tools import assert_false, assert_equal, assert_regexp_matches
+from nose.tools import assert_false, assert_equal, assert_regexp_matches  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from common import type_in_codemirror, press_the_notification_button
 
 KEY_CSS = '.key input.policy-key'
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/checklists.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/checklists.py
index e8dcd755a3..1c41eed4d3 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/checklists.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/checklists.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #pylint: disable=W0621
 
 from lettuce import world, step
-from nose.tools import assert_true, assert_equal, assert_in
+from nose.tools import assert_true, assert_equal, assert_in  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from terrain.steps import reload_the_page
 from selenium.common.exceptions import StaleElementReferenceException
 
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/common.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/common.py
index 39f28ba249..a6f22db340 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/common.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/common.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # pylint: disable=W0621
 
 from lettuce import world, step
-from nose.tools import assert_true
+from nose.tools import assert_true  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 from auth.authz import get_user_by_email, get_course_groupname_for_role
 from django.conf import settings
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/component.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/component.py
index 15727dd992..d0c1fd59e7 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/component.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/component.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #pylint: disable=W0621
 
 from lettuce import world, step
-from nose.tools import assert_true
+from nose.tools import assert_true  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 DATA_LOCATION = 'i4x://edx/templates'
 
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/component_settings_editor_helpers.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/component_settings_editor_helpers.py
index 606e3dcee8..2971085081 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/component_settings_editor_helpers.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/component_settings_editor_helpers.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #pylint: disable=C0111
 
 from lettuce import world
-from nose.tools import assert_equal
+from nose.tools import assert_equal  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from terrain.steps import reload_the_page
 
 
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-overview.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-overview.py
index 3fcb134f5b..289dbec308 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-overview.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-overview.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 from lettuce import world, step
 from common import *
-from nose.tools import assert_true, assert_false, assert_equal
+from nose.tools import assert_true, assert_false, assert_equal  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 from logging import getLogger
 logger = getLogger(__name__)
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-settings.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-settings.py
index beaa1fbad4..7004b9f99e 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-settings.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-settings.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from selenium.webdriver.common.keys import Keys
 from common import type_in_codemirror, upload_file
 from django.conf import settings
 
-from nose.tools import assert_true, assert_false, assert_equal
+from nose.tools import assert_true, assert_false, assert_equal  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 TEST_ROOT = settings.COMMON_TEST_DATA_ROOT
 
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-team.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-team.py
index 8b31d325e5..85044dbbad 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-team.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/course-team.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from lettuce import world, step
 from common import create_studio_user
 from django.contrib.auth.models import Group
 from auth.authz import get_course_groupname_for_role, get_user_by_email
-from nose.tools import assert_true
+from nose.tools import assert_true  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 PASSWORD = 'test'
 EMAIL_EXTENSION = '@edx.org'
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/problem-editor.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/problem-editor.py
index d891789e4a..5e4fe6364d 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/problem-editor.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/problem-editor.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #pylint: disable=C0111
 
 from lettuce import world, step
-from nose.tools import assert_equal
+from nose.tools import assert_equal  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from common import type_in_codemirror
 
 DISPLAY_NAME = "Display Name"
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/section.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/section.py
index 3ca8e1676d..3fea8637c6 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/section.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/section.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 from lettuce import world, step
 from common import *
-from nose.tools import assert_equal
+from nose.tools import assert_equal  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 ############### ACTIONS ####################
 
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.py
index 60a325f550..6d9612d9bd 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 from lettuce import world, step
 from common import *
-from nose.tools import assert_equal
+from nose.tools import assert_equal  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 ############### ACTIONS ####################
 
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/static_replace/test/test_static_replace.py b/common/djangoapps/static_replace/test/test_static_replace.py
index b1bc05b895..43a199c22c 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/static_replace/test/test_static_replace.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/static_replace/test/test_static_replace.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import re
 
-from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_true, assert_false
+from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_true, assert_false  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from static_replace import (replace_static_urls, replace_course_urls,
                             _url_replace_regex)
 from mock import patch, Mock
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/terrain/steps.py b/common/djangoapps/terrain/steps.py
index f13b3ff932..c4783d4aca 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/terrain/steps.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/terrain/steps.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ from lettuce import world, step
 from .course_helpers import *
 from .ui_helpers import *
 from lettuce.django import django_url
-from nose.tools import assert_equals
+from nose.tools import assert_equals  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 from logging import getLogger
 logger = getLogger(__name__)
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/terrain/ui_helpers.py b/common/djangoapps/terrain/ui_helpers.py
index 3ab7e11b47..7d308931b2 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/terrain/ui_helpers.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/terrain/ui_helpers.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from selenium.webdriver.support import expected_conditions as EC
 from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By
 from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import WebDriverWait
 from lettuce.django import django_url
-from nose.tools import assert_true
+from nose.tools import assert_true  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 
 @world.absorb
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_location.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_location.py
index 7e8ba1731b..c190559c73 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_location.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_location.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_raises, assert_not_equals
+from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_raises, assert_not_equals  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from xmodule.modulestore import Location
 from xmodule.modulestore.exceptions import InvalidLocationError
 
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mixed_modulestore.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mixed_modulestore.py
index 22d1e40c3f..d4557b3dc0 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mixed_modulestore.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mixed_modulestore.py
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_raises, assert_false, assert_true, assert_not_equals
+# pylint: disable=E0611
+from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_raises, assert_false, \
+    assert_true, assert_not_equals
+# pylint: enable=E0611
 import pymongo
 from uuid import uuid4
 
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_modulestore.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_modulestore.py
index 1e2035075a..36d4a3b8de 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_modulestore.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_modulestore.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_raises
+from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_raises  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 from xmodule.modulestore.exceptions import ItemNotFoundError
 from xmodule.modulestore.search import path_to_location
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mongo.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mongo.py
index 40b3c6fd83..25ad258668 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mongo.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mongo.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 from pprint import pprint
-
-from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_raises, assert_not_equals, assert_false
+# pylint: disable=E0611
+from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_raises, \
+    assert_not_equals, assert_false
+# pylint: enable=E0611
 import pymongo
 from uuid import uuid4
 
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_xml.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_xml.py
index ffbce40874..9e15440f11 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_xml.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_xml.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import os.path
 
-from nose.tools import assert_raises, assert_equals
+from nose.tools import assert_raises, assert_equals  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 from xmodule.course_module import CourseDescriptor
 from xmodule.modulestore.xml import XMLModuleStore
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_combined_open_ended.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_combined_open_ended.py
index c07fd7e187..26c248f71d 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_combined_open_ended.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_combined_open_ended.py
@@ -729,7 +729,6 @@ class OpenEndedModuleXmlTest(unittest.TestCase, DummyModulestore):
         #Mock a student submitting an assessment
         assessment_dict = MockQueryDict()
         assessment_dict.update({'assessment': sum(assessment), 'score_list[]': assessment})
-        #from nose.tools import set_trace; set_trace()
         module.handle_ajax("save_assessment", assessment_dict)
         task_one_json = json.loads(module.task_states[0])
         self.assertEqual(json.loads(task_one_json['child_history'][0]['post_assessment']), assessment)
@@ -836,4 +835,4 @@ class OpenEndedModuleXmlAttemptTest(unittest.TestCase, DummyModulestore):
 
         #Try to reset, should fail because only 1 attempt is allowed
         reset_data = json.loads(module.handle_ajax("reset", {}))
-        self.assertEqual(reset_data['success'], False)
\ No newline at end of file
+        self.assertEqual(reset_data['success'], False)
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_date_utils.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_date_utils.py
index bacc5de91b..37f30e1b56 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_date_utils.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_date_utils.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 """Tests for xmodule.util.date_utils"""
 
-from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_false
+from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_false  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from xmodule.util.date_utils import get_default_time_display, almost_same_datetime
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta, tzinfo
 from pytz import UTC
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_stringify.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_stringify.py
index 49852ee233..10abaf72f5 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_stringify.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_stringify.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from nose.tools import assert_equals
+from nose.tools import assert_equals  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from lxml import etree
 from xmodule.stringify import stringify_children
 
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_xblock_wrappers.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_xblock_wrappers.py
index c98f980c62..0a97728ec7 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_xblock_wrappers.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_xblock_wrappers.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ Tests for the wrapping layer that provides the XBlock API using XModule/Descript
 functionality
 """
 
-from nose.tools import assert_equal
+from nose.tools import assert_equal  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from unittest.case import SkipTest
 from mock import Mock
 
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_xml_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_xml_module.py
index fdcff8ade2..3463140555 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_xml_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/tests/test_xml_module.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from xmodule.fields import Date, Timedelta
 from xmodule.xml_module import XmlDescriptor, serialize_field, deserialize_field
 import unittest
 from .import get_test_system
-from nose.tools import assert_equals
+from nose.tools import assert_equals  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from mock import Mock
 
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/common.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/common.py
index b69dd4c866..349ad7e79e 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/common.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/common.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 from __future__ import absolute_import
 
 from lettuce import world, step
-from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_in
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 from xmodule.modulestore import Location
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/high-level-tabs.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/high-level-tabs.py
index 4e6ebb70dd..774ac841c5 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/high-level-tabs.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/high-level-tabs.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 from lettuce import world, step
-from nose.tools import assert_equals
 
 
 @step(u'I click on the tabs then the page title should contain the following titles:')
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/homepage.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/homepage.py
index 51c3277e69..bb01982191 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/homepage.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/homepage.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #pylint: disable=W0621
 
 from lettuce import world, step
-from nose.tools import assert_in, assert_equals
+from nose.tools import assert_in, assert_equals  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 
 @step(u'I should see the following Partners in the Partners section')
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/login.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/login.py
index ed788b1bd8..7cdfcd45b6 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/login.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/login.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 
 from lettuce import step, world
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
-from nose.tools import assert_true
 
 
 @step('I am an unactivated user$')
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/openended.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/openended.py
index f7265be23c..92a597f074 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/openended.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/openended.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 from lettuce import world, step
 from lettuce.django import django_url
-from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_in
+from nose.tools import assert_equals, assert_in  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from logging import getLogger
 logger = getLogger(__name__)
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/problems.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/problems.py
index 997f77c8f2..1465d3614a 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/problems.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/problems.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ from lettuce import world, step
 from lettuce.django import django_url
 from common import i_am_registered_for_the_course
 from problems_setup import PROBLEM_DICT, answer_problem, problem_has_answer, add_problem_to_course
-from nose.tools import assert_equal
 
 
 @step(u'I am viewing a "([^"]*)" problem with "([^"]*)" attempt')
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/problems_setup.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/problems_setup.py
index 2ddbbcdeb8..fc2d91e5f1 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/problems_setup.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/features/problems_setup.py
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ from capa.tests.response_xml_factory import OptionResponseXMLFactory, \
     StringResponseXMLFactory, NumericalResponseXMLFactory, \
     FormulaResponseXMLFactory, CustomResponseXMLFactory, \
     CodeResponseXMLFactory, ChoiceTextResponseXMLFactory
-from nose.tools import assert_true
 
 
 # Factories from capa.tests.response_xml_factory that we will use
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/base/tests.py b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/base/tests.py
index e6ce3b2d25..45b4ecb5cc 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/base/tests.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/base/tests.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from django.core.management import call_command
 from util.testing import UrlResetMixin
 
 from courseware.tests.modulestore_config import TEST_DATA_MIXED_MODULESTORE
-from nose.tools import assert_true, assert_equal
+from nose.tools import assert_true, assert_equal  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from mock import patch
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/forum/tests.py b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/forum/tests.py
index 2d889722a4..0fc5a14c70 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/forum/tests.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/forum/tests.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
 from util.testing import UrlResetMixin
 
 from courseware.tests.modulestore_config import TEST_DATA_MIXED_MODULESTORE
-from nose.tools import assert_true
+from nose.tools import assert_true  # pylint: disable=E0611
 from mock import patch, Mock
 
 import logging
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/licenses/tests.py b/lms/djangoapps/licenses/tests.py
index a853955c83..4298bec81b 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/licenses/tests.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/licenses/tests.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from django.test.client import Client
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from django.core.management import call_command
 from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
-from nose.tools import assert_true
+from nose.tools import assert_true  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 from courseware.tests.modulestore_config import TEST_DATA_MIXED_MODULESTORE
 from licenses.models import CourseSoftware, UserLicense
diff --git a/pylintrc b/pylintrc
index 48e301d23d..9525f04362 100644
--- a/pylintrc
+++ b/pylintrc
@@ -100,11 +100,6 @@ ignore-mixin-members=yes
 # (useful for classes with attributes dynamically set).
 ignored-classes=SQLObject
 
-# See http://stackoverflow.com/questions/17156240/nose-tools-and-pylint
-# Pylint does not like the way that nose tools inspects and makes available
-# the assert classes
-ignored-classes=nose.tools,nose.tools.trivial
-
 # When zope mode is activated, add a predefined set of Zope acquired attributes
 # to generated-members.
 zope=no