Washington licensing facts
How regulation is organized
Washington State Board of Nursing regulates the credentials recorded for Washington: LPN, RN, ARNP. Public status checks use Washington Provider Credential Search; renewal uses Washington Renew or Reactivate. The recorded renewal schedule is Annual The compact classification shown for this review is Compact jurisdiction.
Public verification
Washington Provider Credential Search is the reviewed public verification route for Washington. The destination is hosted on doh.wa.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result.
Renewal timing
For Washington, the recorded renewal cycle is Annual The named renewal route is Washington Renew or Reactivate. The current fee summary is The Board lists the annual RN single-state renewal fee at $138. Confirm credential-specific and multistate amounts on the current fee page..
CE or competence
The reviewed Washington continuing-education or competence rule is: Washington requires continuing competency for nursing renewal. Current RN materials include 8 hours of continuing education annually plus an active-practice requirement defined by the Board. The record-retention or audit note is: Keep CE and practice documentation sufficient to respond to a Board audit..
| Reviewed field | Current dataset value |
|---|---|
| Authority | Washington State Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Washington Provider Credential Search |
| Renewal cycle | Annual |
| Renewal deadline | Renew annually by the credential expiration date. |
| Continuing competence | Washington requires continuing competency for nursing renewal. Current RN materials include 8 hours of continuing education annually plus an active-practice requirement defined by the Board. |
| Fees | The Board lists the annual RN single-state renewal fee at $138. Confirm credential-specific and multistate amounts on the current fee page. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, ARNP |
| Phone | (360) 236-4703 |
| Physical location | 111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501 |
| Mailing address | 111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501 |
| Primary official domains | nursing.wa.gov |
How to verify a Washington nursing license
Washington Provider Credential Search is the reviewed public verification route for Washington. The destination is hosted on doh.wa.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result. Renewal-related transactions use Washington Renew or Reactivate.
Open Washington Provider Credential Search ↗
Read the detailed lookup and troubleshooting guide
How to interpret the result
| Field | Meaning | Risk to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Washington credential type | Confirm the exact credential among LPN, RN, ARNP; the same person may hold more than one license, approval, certificate or permit. | For Washington, treating an RN result as proof of APRN, assistant, certificate, permit or prescriptive authority. |
| Current status | Read the exact status wording published by Washington State Board of Nursing, including active, inactive, expired, lapsed, probationary, suspended, revoked or restricted. | For Washington, assuming that a record appearing in search means the person may currently practice. |
| Expiration / renewal timing | Annual. Renew annually by the credential expiration date. | For Washington, using a wallet card, employer roster or old screenshot instead of the live record. |
| Multistate designation | Washington is recorded as an operational Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction in this dataset. Verify that the individual public record is actually designated multistate and that the nurse maintains Washington or another qualifying compact state as the primary state of residence. | For Washington, assuming compact membership automatically makes every license multistate or survives a permanent residence move. |
| Public discipline or restrictions | Review public orders or restrictions linked by Washington State Board of Nursing, Washington Provider Credential Search or Nursys when applicable. | Checking only expiration while ignoring conditions that limit practice. |
| Verification date | The result supports a decision as of the date it was checked. Record the live Washington verification date. | For Washington, reusing an undated or stale printout for a new employment or credentialing decision. |
Washington nursing license renewal
Named renewal system: Washington renewal/account service.
- Review the expiration date and credential type.
- Complete the applicable continuing-competency requirements.
- Open the Board’s renewal route and sign in.
- Submit the renewal and displayed fee.
- Verify the updated credential status.
Renewal cautions
- RN, LPN and ARNP requirements and fees can differ.
- A multistate license has residence and eligibility conditions.
- Do not rely on an old printed credential card.
Continuing education or continuing competence
Washington requires continuing competency for nursing renewal. Current RN materials include 8 hours of continuing education annually plus an active-practice requirement defined by the Board.
- Complete the annual CE component.
- Meet the applicable active-practice requirement for the credential and status.
- Review any separate ARNP or specialty requirements.
Records and audits: Keep CE and practice documentation sufficient to respond to a Board audit.
Washington license by endorsement
The reviewed Washington credential set is LPN, RN, ARNP. Use Washington Provider Credential Search for the public record and Washington Renew or Reactivate for renewal-related work. Do not infer an advanced-practice, assistant, certificate, permit, or compact privilege from a different credential record; Compact jurisdiction. The public record host is doh.wa.gov, and the recorded renewal schedule is Annual
No direct endorsement URL is recorded; use the detailed checklist below.
National verification and compact status
Compact jurisdiction
Washington is classified as Compact jurisdiction. The recorded renewal cycle is Annual and the authority model is Independent state nursing regulatory board. Confirm primary residence, the exact license designation, and restrictions in the current official record before relying on compact authority.
Published fee records
| Transaction | Credential | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual single-state renewal | RN | $138 | Credential-specific and multistate fees can differ. Official source ↗ |
Washington State Board of Nursing contact and location
Confirm current service hours before calling or visiting.
6 reviewed official destinations for Washington
Washington Provider Credential Search ↗
Official Washington provider credential search and discipline record route.
Current primary official source · reviewed July 28, 2026Washington Renew or Reactivate ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Washington Continuing Competency ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Washington RN License Requirements ↗
Official RN licensing information
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Washington Nurse License Fees ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Washington State Board of Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Frequently asked questions
Who regulates nursing licenses in Washington?
Washington State Board of Nursing. The Washington State Board of Nursing regulates LPN, RN, ARNP and related nursing credentials. The state’s licensing pages route renewal, applications, continuing competency and fees.
What is the reviewed Washington license lookup?
Washington Provider Credential Search. Washington Provider Credential Search is the reviewed public verification route for Washington. The destination is hosted on doh.wa.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result. Renewal-related transactions use Washington Renew or Reactivate.
When is a Washington nursing license renewed?
Annual. Renew annually by the credential expiration date.
What CE or competence applies in Washington?
Washington requires continuing competency for nursing renewal. Current RN materials include 8 hours of continuing education annually plus an active-practice requirement defined by the Board.
What fee information is published for Washington?
The Board lists the annual RN single-state renewal fee at $138. Confirm credential-specific and multistate amounts on the current fee page.
How can I contact the nursing authority in Washington?
Washington State Board of Nursing publishes (360) 236-4703 and 111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.