Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Washington, DC
Washington, D.C. is so much more than just the nation’s capital. Home to some of the country’s most important museums and cultural events, Washington D.C. also boasts renowned hospitals where registered nurses earn top salaries.
In this article, we will cover:
- How to get your Washington D.C. nursing license by exam
- How to get your license by endorsement
- How to renew your Washington D.C. nursing license
- Licensing fees
- Continuing education requirements
- How to contact the Washington D.C. Board of Nursing
Get job matches in your area + answers to all your nursing career questions
How to get your Washington, D.C. nursing license by examination
Step 1: Education
The Washington D.C. Board of Nursing accepts nurses for licensure by examination who have graduated from any of these local nursing programs as well as those that have been accredited by a national nursing organization or the U.S. Department of Education. Whether you pursued a two-year Associate’s degree or a four-year baccalaureate nursing degree, pursuing your nursing education is the first step to being licensed as a registered nurse.
- 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, D.C. no longer accepts paper applications for nurse licensure. To apply for licensure by examination, start by visiting the DC Health portal and register as a new user. Once you have established an account, you will also be asked to upload the following documents:
- A copy of a U.S. government or state-issued photo ID such as a passport or driver’s license
- A 2”x2” photo of your head and neck, with a plain white background
- Proof of name change if the name on your application is different from the name on any of your supporting documents. Proof can be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or spouse’s death certificate.
- Social Security affidavit form if you do not have a Social Security number
- Special accommodation letters if requesting NCLEX accommodations
- Application fee of $237 payable by Visa or Mastercard only
You should also register for the NCLEX-RN exam and pay the $200 registration fee.
Step 3: Submit Transcripts
You should request that official transcripts be sent from your university or college to the Board of Nursing. These documents can be sent via email to [email protected]. If your school does not send transcripts electronically, your official transcripts can be mailed by the school to:
DC Health – Board of Nursing
Attn: NCLEX Exam
899 North Capitol Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
If you attended a second degree program or an accelerated BSN program, be sure to request official transcripts from all institutions attended.
Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)
You must submit to a criminal background check Fieldprint. After you have submitted your application, you will receive an email containing a code and link that will allow you to schedule an appointment once you have paid the fee.
Step 5: Take the NCLEX
Once you have submitted all required information and it has been approved, the Board of Nursing will contact Pearson VUE and you will receive an email containing your Authorization to Test. At that point you can schedule a time to take the NCLEX-RN exam. This test addresses the following topics to ensure that you are well-prepared for your nursing career:
- 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, D.C. will consider your application abandoned and closed if you do not take the NCLEX exam within 90 days of submitting your application. If you do not pass the NCLEX you can register to take the exam again 45 days after your most recent test date.
If you have not passed the NCLEX exam more than twelve months but less than three years after graduation from an approved nursing education program, you are required to complete a review course approved by the Board to be approved to sit for the examination again.
If you do not pass the NCLEX more than three years but less than five years after your graduation, you will be required to complete a Board-approved review course and, upon passing the examination, to take a nursing refresher course to be eligible for a license.
Get job matches in your area + answers to all your nursing career questions
Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)
To switch your active nursing license from another state to Washington, D.C., visit the city’s online license site and register for an account. You will need to be prepared to provide the following:
- A copy of a U.S. government or state-issued photo ID such as a passport or driver’s license
- A 2”x2” photo of your head and neck, with a plain white background
- Proof of name change if the name on your application is different from the name on any of your supporting documents. Proof can be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or spouse’s death certificate.
- Social Security affidavit form if you do not have a Social Security number.
- Special accommodation letters if requesting NCLEX accommodations
- Application fee of $280 payable by Visa or Mastercard only
After completing the licensure application, you will also need to do the following:
- Submit to a criminal background check via Fieldprint. After you have submitted your application, you will receive an email containing a code and link that will allow you to schedule an appointment once you have paid the fee.
Request official verification from your original state of licensure, as well as from your current state of licensure if different. Verification can be requested through NURSYS if your state participates with their process. There is a $30 fee for this service. States that do not participate with the NURSYS verification system should be asked to email verification to the DC Board of Nursing at [email protected]
How to renew your Washington, D.C. nursing license
Step 1: When to submit your renewal application
Washington, D.C. nurses are required to renew their licenses every two years. The deadline to renew is June 30th each year and the renewal cycle opens in the middle of April, providing approximately ten weeks to complete the process. Nurses who miss the deadline can renew after the June 30th deadline, but will be charged an additional fee of $85.00.
In addition to fulfilling continuing education requirements, registered nurses are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination (document upload indicating dates and types of vaccines required) and the $195 fee.
Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements
There is a 24 hour continuing competency requirement for renewing a Washington, D.C. registered nurse license. This includes 2 hours in COVID Vaccinations, 2 hours in LGBTQ or Cultural Awareness, and 3 hours in HIV/AIDs. There is no need to submit documentation of your fulfillment of these requirements, but you should retain copies for at least two years in case you are subject to a random audit.
Incredible Health helps you earn your continuing competency credits by offering free Washington, D.C. CEUs. They are easy to access and include immediate certification of completion.
Step 3: Submit your renewal application
Washington, D.C. only accepts license renewals online. You can access the portal at www.doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page. The page should be accessed through Google Chrome or Firefox rather than Microsoft Edge, Safari, or Internet Explorer. The license renewal process cannot be performed via cell phone.
Washington D.C. nursing licensing fees
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in the District of Columbia whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to D.C. from another state. For more information visit the Washington, D.C. licensing page.
Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):
- NCLEX exam fee: $200
- Application fee: $187 (RN/LPN)
- Criminal background check fee: $50
Licensing fee by endorsement (already have RN licensure):
- Application fee: $230 (RN/LPN)
- APRN fees (with one authority): $230 (APRN authority fee); $145 (RN license fee); $145 (each additional APRN authority); $130 (controlled substance authorization fee)
- Criminal background check fee: $50
License renewal fees:
- Application fee: $145 (LPN/RN); $263 (APRN)
*Fees are subject to change.
Get job matches in your area + answers to all your nursing career questions
Continuing education requirements
RN: 24 contact hours every 2 years (3 of which must be in HIV/AIDS, 2 hours in COVID vaccinations (for RN licenses active on August 11, 2021), and 2 hours of instruction in cultural competency focusing on patients who identify as LGBTQ)
LPN: 18 contact hours every 2 years (3 of which must be in HIV/AIDS, 2 hours in COVID vaccinations (for RN licenses active on August 11, 2021), and 2 hours of instruction in cultural competency focusing on patients who identify as LGBTQ)
APRN: 24 contact hours every 2 years (15 must be in pharmacology, 3 hours must be in HIV/AIDS, 2 hours in COVID vaccinations (for RN licenses active on August 11, 2021), and 2 hours of instruction in cultural competency focusing on patients who identify as LGBTQ)
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Washington, D.C. Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
How to contact the Washington D.C. Board of Nursing
Washinton, D.C. Board of Nursing
Phone: (202) 442-5955
Fax: (202) 442-4795
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://dchealth.dc.gov/bon
899 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
