Direct answer
The responsible authority is District of Columbia Board of Nursing. Use the verified contact details and task-specific official links on this page.
District of Columbia source-reviewed jurisdiction snapshot
| Item | Reviewed detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | District of Columbia Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | District of Columbia official license verification |
| Renewal cycle | Birth-month and birth-year cycle |
| Renewal deadline | 2026 RN/APRN renewal: April 1–June 30; individual transition dates may differ. |
| Continuing competence | Transition terms may receive CE prorating; mandatory LGBTQ cultural-competency and public-health-priority components remain. |
| Fees | Confirm the credential-specific amount in the DC Health portal. |
| Compact status | Non-compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | RN, LPN, APRN, CNA |
| Phone | (877) 672-2174 |
| Physical location | 2201 Shannon Place SE, 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20020 |
| Mailing address | 2201 Shannon Place SE, 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20020 |
| Primary official domains | dchealth.dc.gov, doh.force.com, dohenterprise.my.site.com |
For District of Columbia, 4 primary official source records and 7 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide.
Responsible licensing authority
District of Columbia Board of Nursing is the responsible licensing authority. Use the individual record rather than an older fixed-cycle deadline.
2201 Shannon Place SE, 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20020Open map ↗
Confirm current service hours and walk-in availability before visiting.
Which office or system should you use?
| Goal | Route | Why and what to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Verify current license status | District of Columbia License Verification | Use the reviewed District of Columbia primary-source route to confirm legal name, credential, status, expiration and public restrictions. Search by license number when available and document the live District of Columbia result date. |
| Renew or reactivate a license | District of Columbia Renewal Portal | District of Columbia renewal eligibility, declarations and payments belong in the official account or renewal system. Follow this published timing: 2026 RN/APRN renewal: April 1–June 30; individual transition dates may differ. |
| Check CE or continuing competence | NCSBN License Verification Guidance | District of Columbia rules can differ by credential, first renewal, practice hours, mandatory topics or national certification. Review the exact requirement before buying coursework: Transition terms may receive CE prorating; mandatory LGBTQ cultural-competency and public-health-priority components remain. |
| Apply by endorsement | District of Columbia Licensure Applications | The District of Columbia destination authority decides application eligibility, documents, fingerprints, fees and any temporary authority. For District of Columbia, use Nursys when accepted; otherwise follow the authority’s direct verification instructions. |
| Use the account or transaction portal | District of Columbia Renewal Portal | Authenticated District of Columbia transactions and messages should occur only in the authority-named system. Confirm the browser domain is one of the reviewed official domains: dchealth.dc.gov, doh.force.com, dohenterprise.my.site.com. |
| Check complaints or public discipline | official complaint and discipline resource | License status and public discipline are separate questions in District of Columbia. For District of Columbia, open any public order or restriction linked by the authority; do not rely on social posts or an old screenshot. |
| Contact the licensing authority | District of Columbia Board of Nursing | For District of Columbia, use the responsible office for a missing document, status discrepancy, credential routing or application message. Call (877) 672-2174 with the credential, license or application number available; do not email sensitive documents unless given a secure route. |
| Use national verification or monitoring | Nursys QuickConfirm / e-Notify when accepted | Nursys can support participating-board national verification, endorsement verification and monitoring, but the District of Columbia authority remains the source for local requirements. District of Columbia is recorded as a non-compact jurisdiction. A nurse normally needs the license or other authority required by District of Columbia; an out-of-state compact license should not be assumed to replace that requirement. |
Complete official task destinations
District of Columbia license verification ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026District of Columbia licensing or renewal portal ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026District of Columbia Board of Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the District of Columbia status recorded as Non-compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through District of Columbia Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a District of Columbia license.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local District of Columbia source remains District of Columbia official license verification.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside District of Columbia official license verification for District of Columbia; follow District of Columbia Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · reviewed July 28, 2026Before contacting the authority
- Confirm which credential and authority apply, especially in split-board jurisdictions.
- Have the application type, license number or transaction reference available.
- Ask a specific question about a missing item, renewal eligibility, status or credential assignment.
- Do not email Social Security numbers, payment-card details or background documents unless the authority explicitly instructs a secure method.
- Record the date, office or unit contacted and the response.
- Verify final license status in the public lookup system.
Frequently asked questions
Which office handles nursing licenses in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia Board of Nursing.
What is the published phone number?
(877) 672-2174
Is there a separate mailing address?
2201 Shannon Place SE, 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20020
What should I prepare before contacting the authority?
Have the credential, application type, license number or transaction reference ready, but do not send sensitive records to an unverified address.
Is phone guidance proof of licensure?
No. Verify the final license status in the official public lookup system.
Should I visit the office without checking first?
No. Confirm office hours, walk-in availability and the correct unit before traveling.