Washington State Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

Welcome to Washington, an outdoors lover’s paradise. Here, you’ll discover summer waterfall hikes, winter skiing resorts, glaciers, volcanoes, and lakes. Known as the apple of America’s eye due to its abundant apple production, Washington is also home to over 7 million people, creating a strong demand for healthcare services.

The healthcare sector is one of the state’s hottest job market. To maintain an active nursing career in this state, completing the Washington state nursing license renewal process is essential.

In this article, you’ll discover the ins and outs of the nursing license renewal. Washington State is a land of opportunities for nursing professionals, and with your renewed license, you’ll be ready to tap into them.

Washington Nursing Facts

Below are the essential details of the Washington State nursing license renewal process. Make sure to have them readily available as you work through the renewal steps.

Is Washington part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes.

How much do nurses in Washington earn?

• The average CNA salary in Washington is $46,430 per year.
• The average LPN salary in Washington is $75,410 per year.
• The average RN salary in Washington is $111,030 per year.

How can I contact the Washington Board of Nursing?

Phone Number: 360-236-4703

Email Address: nursing@doh.wa.gov

Web Page: https://nursing.wa.gov

Washington State Board of Nursing Address
111 Israel Rd S.E.
Tumwater, WA 98501

Washington State Nursing License Renewal Steps

If your current nursing license is registered in this state, you can renew it by following the three steps outlined below. However, if your license is from another compact state, explore this guide for renewal instructions tailored to your state. If renewal is not an option, there are two more routes you can consider:

• License endorsement: If you are a nurse with an out-of-state license, this option is for you.
• Taking an examination: If you’re a fresh face in the nursing world and you’re after your very first license, this option is for you.

If you’re a nursing assistant whose certification was issued outside of Washington, you may be eligible for CNA reciprocity. Learn more about certificates for applicants credentialed in another state.

Step 1: Determine Your Renewal Deadline

The first step to renew your license is to find out its expiration date. In Washington, RNs, LPNs, and CNAs must renew their licenses/certification annually by their birthday. ARNPs, consider yourself lucky, you must renew your license every other year, sparing you the annual renewal hurdle.

For an out-of-state multistate license, simply follow your home state’s renewal rules. It’s only when you officially declare the Evergreen State as your primary state of residency — which you can prove with voting records, tax documents, or having your driver’s license issued in the state — that you can apply for Washington state nursing license renewal.

If you’re still uncertain about when your license expires, just go to the Washington license verification portal. Select your credential type, type in your name, and credential number, and then hit the ”Search” button. Your license information, including its expiration date, will appear on the screen.

If you’re reading this and your license has already expired, don’t stress. In Washington, the majority of healthcare professionals can renew their credentials if they’re within 90 days of their expiration date.

In fact, unless your license has expired more than a year ago, you’ll be able to reactivate it online. However, if your license has expired more than a year after your renewal is due, you’ll need to apply for license reinstatement through the traditional mail-in process.

Step 2: Satisfy Continuing Education Requirements

Your next step in the Washington state nursing license renewal journey is meeting all the necessary continuing education requirements. This ensures you stay in the know about the latest healthcare industry advancements and continue to refine your professional skills.

RNs and LPNs, you’ll need to complete the below to fulfill continuing competency requirements:

• 8 hours of continuing education, which must include 2 hours of health equity CE
• 96 hours of nursing practice
• One-time 6-hour suicide prevention training
• Sign up for e-Notify and fill out an online survey at Nursys

APRNs, you’ll need to complete:

• Active RN license
• 30 hours of continuing education
• If you’re prescribing medications, 15 additional hours in pharmacology
• Active certification for every advanced practice specialty

There are no continuing education requirements for CNAs to renew certification. But if you are a nursing technician (NTEC), you’ll need to show you’re an active nursing student in an approved WA Board of Nursing program, and working in a licensed hospital, clinic, or nursing home.

Looking for options to meet those continuing education requirements? IntelyEdu provides a range of courses that are accredited by the ANCC. Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity!

Step 3: File Your License Renewal Application

To start, you need to decide whether you’ll renew online or in person. Keep in mind that online renewal is only available for RNs, LPNs, and ARNPs with an active status. Inactive licenses will need to be renewed by mail or at the front counter of the Department of Health (DOH).

If you are doing it online, visit the Washington state nursing license renewal site and sign in to your account. After logging in, you can begin the license renewal process.

Don’t forget to update your address, last name, or other license details if necessary. You can use this guide to navigate the license renewal process and this step-by-step walkthrough to help you create a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account.

Keep moving forward with your application. At some point, you’ll reach the payment step. Here’s the fee schedule for Washington state nursing license renewal:

• NTEC: $25
• CNA: $95
• RN: $138
• LPN: $93
• APRN: $130

Once you’ve paid the processing fee, you’ll see the “Successful Payment” screen. Just remember to save the receipt for your records as your final step.

Congratulations! After successfully completing your renewal application, you’re all set to begin your search for RN, LPN, CNA, or NP jobs in Washington. You can also check out great nursing opportunities in some of the Evergreen State’s largest cities:

• Seattle
• Spokane
• Tacoma
• Vancouver
• Bellevue

Find Great Nursing Jobs in Washington State

With your Washington state nursing license renewal complete, it’s time to open the door to exciting job opportunities. Check out the array of nursing jobs in Washington listed on IntelyCare and find the one that suits you best.