A Guide to Nursing Licenses and Renewals in Washington State

Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Washington State

Whether you’re finishing up your nursing education at one of Washington’s excellent schools or you’re thinking of moving to the state for its high salaries and excellent quality of life, you need to know how to get and keep your nursing license.

In this article, we will cover:

• How to get your Washington nursing license
• How to get your nursing license by endorsement
• How to renew your nursing license
• Licensing fees
• Continuing education requirements
• How to contact the Washington Board of Nursing

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How to get your Washington nursing license by examination

Step 1: Education

Your career as a registered nurse begins with earning your nursing degree from an accredited nursing school. You can apply for a Washington state license after completing a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing program or a baccalaureate degree ending in a BSN. Whether you studied in Washington state or elsewhere, getting a solid education from an accredited nursing program is the foundation to a successful, fulfilling nursing career.

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.

Step 2: Apply

Washington uses a unique method of applying for a license online. To start, you must establish a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account. After this has been done, follow these steps:

• Log in to your SAW account
• Click “Add a New Service”
• Click on “I would like to browse a list of services by agency”
• Select Department of Health
• Scroll to Online Application Portal and click Apply, then click OK

Once you have completed these steps, you will be returned to your SAW account page, where you will now see the Online Application Portal included in your list of services. You will apply for your nursing license from the portal. 

Note: Once you have submitted your application, you will have just 14 days to upload all required documents. Access will expire after 14 days and if you have any more documents to submit, you will need to email them to [email protected].

To complete your application for a registered nursing license you will need the following:

• NCLEX-RN registration
• Verification of Education
• Official Transcripts
• Application fee and online application

Step 3: Submit Transcripts

Washington state requires verification of your nursing education. 

If you are a graduate of a Washington-based nursing education program, your school will send an electronic certificate of completion (COC) to the Board of Nursing after you complete the program. There is no need to request this certification, but you will need to request that your official transcripts be sent after you have graduated.

If you are graduating from a nursing education program in another U.S. state you will need to have your official transcripts, with your type of degree and graduation date, sent to the Board. This documentation must be received to receive Approval to Test for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Your transcripts can be sent either via mail or electronically. If your school uses E-Script, Parchment, or Student Clearinghouse electronic transcript services, they can send your official transcripts to [email protected].

Paper transcripts reflecting your degree and graduation date can be sent to:

Attn: Licensing Unit
Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
PO Box 47864
Olympia, WA 98504-7864

Step 4: Criminal Record Check 

The Washington State Department of Health conducts background checks on applicants from out of state and some applicants with a criminal history in Washington. The department will notify you if you need to undergo this background check. If so, you will need to pay $34.25 to have your fingerprints checked against the federal database. You will be required to arrange for and pay the cost of taking the fingerprints, which must be taken on the fingerprint card provided by the department. Fingerprint services can be obtained at local law enforcement offices.

Step 5: Take the NCLEX

Once you have finished your nursing education program, you should register and pay for the NCLEX-RN exam. You can do this online at www.pearsonvue.com/nclex or call 1-866-496-2539. Once you’ve registered and paid your $200 fee and you’ve completed and provided all of the state’s application requirements, you will receive an Authorization to Test from Pearson VUE.

Washington state residents can take the NCLEX at the following test locations:

• Pearson Professional Centers-Renton (Seattle) WA
• Pearson Professional Centers-Seattle (Northgate)
• Pearson Professional Centers-Seattle WA
• Pearson Professional Centers-Yakima WA
• Pearson Professional Centers-Spokane WA

The NCLEX-RN tests your knowledge of foundational nursing. Topics may include:

• Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Management of Care  
• Safety and Infection Control 
• Health Promotion and Maintenance 
• Psychosocial Integrity 
• Physiological Integrity 
• Basic Care and Comfort 
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 
• Physiological Adaptation 

Washington nursing candidates are permitted to retake the NCLEX-RN up to eight times per year if they do not pass the exam.  You must let 45 days elapse between each examination and you must pass within three years of graduation.

Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)

If you are licensed in a state other than Washington and want to work in the state as a nurse, you will need to apply for a license by endorsement. This will require:

• Having verification of your initial license sent to Washington state via Nursys.com, or if your license is from a state that does not use Nursys, ask the state’s board to submit a form using the Non-Nursys verification form
• Collecting all signed forms and having them ready to upload
• Completing an online application
• Paying the application fee online
• Submitting your application

You may be notified that you are required to submit to a fingerprint-based federal background check.

After submitting your application, you will have just 14 days to upload supporting documents. After 14 days documentation can be emailed to [email protected].

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How to renew your Washington nursing license 

Step 1: Know when to submit your renewal application

Washington state requires registered nurses to renew their licenses annually by their birthday. You can renew your license online 85-90 days before your license expires or do a late renewal up to a year after your expiration date. If late, mail your renewal payment (check or money order) to: 

Department of Health
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA
98504-7864

Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements

The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission of the state of Washington recently reduced its education and active nursing practice hour requirements. To maintain their license, RNs must complete 8 continuing education hours and 96 practice hours every year. Documentation can be submitted via e-Notify registration at Nursys. Keep those records in case they are officially requested.

Washington state nurses can access free CE hours on Incredible Health’s website. Upon completion you can immediately download certification documents for your records.

Step 3: Submit your renewal application

To renew your license online you will need: 

• SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account
• Department of Health (DOH) HSQA Online Services access
• Assigned User ID and Password from your renewal notice

Add the DOH HSQA Online Services to your SAW account by logging into your SAW account, clicking “Add a New Service” and then “I have been given a code by an agency“. Type in the code: 7472 and click “Submit.”You will be returned to your SAW account page where you will see DOH HSQA Online Services provided by the Department of Health in your list of services. Click Access Now and log in. Once you are logged into the DOH HSQA Online Services you should see your credentials and renewals. Click on “Click here to renew an existing credential” and choose Registered Nurse. Complete the form and submit your fee.

Licensing fees

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Washington whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Washington from another state. For more information visit the Washington licensing page.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

• NCLEX fee: $200
• Application fee: $120 (RN); $85 (LPN)
• Fingerprint fee: $49.25

Licensing fees by endorsement (nurses who already have RN licensure):

• Application fee: $120 (RN); $85 (LPN); $125 (ARNP)
• Fingerprint fee: $49.25

License renewal fees:

• Application fee: $120 (RN); $85 (LPN); $125 (ARNP)

Starting December 1, 2022, nurse license application and renewal fees will increase.

• LPN fees will increase $5
• RN fees will increase $15
• ARNP fees will increase $5

*Fees are subject to change.

Continuing education requirements

RN

8 CE hours and 96 active practice hours yearly

LPN

8 CE hours and 96 active practice hours yearly

APRN

Renewal period every two years:

• 30 CE hours in specialty area
• Additional 15 hours in pharmacology is required if nurse has prescriptive authority

Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Washington State Department of Health Nursing Commission accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.

How to contact the Washington Board of Nursing

Washington State Department of Health Nursing Commission
Phone: (360) 236-4703

Mailing Address:
P.O. BOX 47864
Olympia, WA
98504-7864

Physical Address:
111 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA
98501

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/NursingCommission