Washington Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements
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Washington Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements
Washington registered nurse licenses are regulated by the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON), formerly the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC), under the Department of Health. Washington joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) on July 24, 2023.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Body | Washington State Board of Nursing (DOH) |
| Renewal Cycle | Every year (annual) |
| Expiration | Birthday |
| CE Hours Required | 8 hours per year |
| Practice Hours Required | 96 hours per year |
| Renewal Fee | ~$122 (RN, includes surcharges) |
| Compact State (NLC) | Yes (since July 2023) |
| Online Renewal | Yes — HELMS via SecureAccess Washington (SAW) |
Continuing Competency Requirements (Annual)
RN and LPN — Every Year
- 8 hours of CE in the 12 months before renewal
- 96 hours of active nursing practice in the 12 months before renewal
- 2 hours of health equity CE (required every renewal period, starting with 2026 renewal)
- 6-hour suicide prevention training — one-time requirement (by end of first full year of licensure)
- Telemedicine training — required if providing telemedicine services (since January 2021)
Active practice hours can be paid, unpaid, or volunteer nursing care.
Washington-Specific Notes
- Annual renewal. Washington is one of the few states with annual (not biennial) RN license renewal. License expires on your birthday every year.
- Compact state since July 2023. Multistate license applications available since January 2024. Single-state holders can convert for a $65 upgrade fee.
- Health equity CE is new. 2 hours required every renewal starting with 2026 renewal. Counts toward the 8-hour CE total.
- CE does not carry over between renewal periods.
- Formal CNE contact hours not required. Laws and rules don't require CE to have formal CNE contact hours, though they are accepted. CE can include various continuing competency activities.
- No printed certificates since May 2025. Washington DOH no longer sends printed certificates or paper renewal notices.
- Renew up to 90 days before birthday through HELMS.
- Demographic data collection required since January 2025 (ESHB 1503).
- Self-attestation with audit. Attest to CE at renewal; keep records for at least 2 years.
- ARNP renewal is biennial (every 2 years) with 30 CE hours. Prescriptive authority requires 15 additional hours in pharmacotherapeutics.
- Late fees are significant: $50 late penalty + surcharges. Expired over 1 year: additional $70 reissuance fee.
How to Renew
- Complete 8 hours of CE (including 2 hours health equity)
- Complete 96 hours of active nursing practice
- Complete suicide prevention training (if not previously done)
- Log in through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) to HELMS
- Complete the renewal application and demographic survey
- Pay the renewal fee (~$122)
Fees (includes surcharges)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| RN Annual Renewal | ~$122 (includes $16 HEAL-WA + $8 Center for Nursing surcharges) |
| Late Renewal (within 1 year) | ~$172 (includes $50 late penalty) |
| Late Renewal (over 1 year) | ~$258 (includes $50 late + $70 reissuance) |
| Multistate License Upgrade | $65 |
Contact Information
Washington State Board of Nursing
- Website: nursing.wa.gov
- Continuing Competency: nursing.wa.gov/continuing-competency
- Renew/Reactivate: nursing.wa.gov/renew
- Fees: nursing.wa.gov/fees
- Phone: (360) 236-4703
- Fax: (360) 236-4738
- Address: 111 Israel Rd SE, Tumwater, WA 98504
This page is for informational purposes only. Requirements may change — always verify current requirements with the Washington State Board of Nursing before renewing. Last reviewed March 2026.
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