Become a Nurse in Washington – Licensure & Requirements

^{Table sourced to WAC 246-840-340 (graduate-degree requirement for initial ARNP licensure), WAC 246-840-025 (RN/LPN education requirements) and WAC 246-841A (nursing assistant certification; no graduate degree required).}

Washington Nursing Salaries

^{Nursing salaries above are median annual wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Washington, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Spokane-Spokane Valley, and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA.}

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Washington. The one you take will mostly depend on the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education.

In addition to nursing salaries in Washington, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Washington nursing licenses on this page. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in healthcare, it’s sometimes difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Washington, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

Washington is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, implemented in two phases: incoming-practice recognition began July 24, 2023 (a nurse holding a multistate license from another NLC state may practice in Washington under that license without a separate Washington application), and Washington began issuing its own multistate licenses to Washington-licensed RNs and LPNs on January 31, 2024. See the Washington State Board of Nursing's NLC Implementation Plan for eligibility and application details.

Prescriptive Authority in Washington

Under RCW 18.79.250, an ARNP — including a nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist or certified clinical nurse specialist — may apply to the Washington Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission for authority to prescribe legend drugs and Schedule II through V controlled substances, subject to Board authorization and application requirements under WAC 246-840-400, WAC 246-840-410 and WAC 246-840-420. Schedule I substances are excluded, and prescribing Schedule II-V controlled substances requires separate DEA registration.

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) in Washington

ARNPs are defined in Washington as nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists.

Education: Graduate degree from an advanced nursing education program (WAC 246-840-340)

Examination: Varies according to prerequisite national certification

Certification Required: National certification varies according to specialty area, but must include an active Washington state Registered Nurse license (WAC 246-840-340)

Experience: Varies according to prerequisite national certification

Fees: $130 Application Fee per ARNP specialty license (WAC 246-840-990)

Endorsement: Advanced registered nurse practitioners may apply for licensure by endorsement by providing proof of active RN and ARNP license, graduate degree in an advanced nursing education program, and national certification, with a completed application and applicable fee (WAC 246-840-342); prior experience as an ARNP is not a universal endorsement requirement.

Renewal: ARNP licenses in Washington renew every two years (biennial) for $130 per specialty license. Renewal requires current national certification, 30 contact hours of continuing education per renewal period, and a written declaration of compliance, with evidence supplied when requested (WAC 246-840-360; WAC 246-840-361; WAC 246-840-990). The underlying Washington RN license remains subject to separate annual renewal.

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Registered Nurse (RN) in Washington

Education: Commission-approved nursing education program (WAC 246-840-025)

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

• $138 Application Fee (single-state); $203 (multistate license) (WAC 246-840-990)
• $200 Examination (current through January 31, 2027; NCLEX Fees & Payment)

Endorsement: RNs may apply for licensure by endorsement in Washington with proof of completion of an approved nursing education program and a completed application with applicable fee, plus either a current active RN license from another state or, for an inactive or expired out-of-state license, the applicable alternative pathway, including a board-approved refresher course (WAC 246-840-090).

Renewal: Registered nurse licenses in Washington expire annually on the nurse’s birthday. Annual renewal is $138 (single-state) or $158 (multistate) (WAC 246-840-990).

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Washington

Education: Commission-approved nursing education program (WAC 246-840-025)

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

• $93 Application Fee (single-state); $158 (multistate license) (WAC 246-840-990)
• $200 Examination (current through January 31, 2027; NCLEX Fees & Payment)

Endorsement: LPNs may apply for licensure by endorsement in Washington with proof of completion of an approved nursing education program and a completed application with applicable fee, plus either a current active LPN license from another state or, for an inactive or expired out-of-state license, the applicable alternative pathway, including a board-approved refresher course (WAC 246-840-090).

Renewal: Licensed practical nurse licenses in Washington expire annually on the nurse’s birthday. Annual renewal is $93 (single-state) or $113 (multistate) (WAC 246-840-990).

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state?

Yes. Washington began recognizing incoming multistate licenses from other NLC states on July 24, 2023, and began issuing its own multistate licenses to Washington RNs and LPNs on January 31, 2024 (see the NLC Implementation Plan). See Compact State Status above for detail.

Can a nurse licensed in another state work in Washington?

It depends on the license type and whether the other state also participates in the NLC. A nurse holding a multistate license from another NLC state may practice in Washington under that license without a separate application. Otherwise, RNs and LPNs can apply for licensure by endorsement with an active out-of-state license, or through the alternative pathway WAC 246-840-090 provides for certain inactive or expired out-of-state licenses; ARNPs can apply for licensure by endorsement with an active RN and ARNP license per WAC 246-840-342. See the Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner sections above for details.

How do I get a nursing license in Washington?

Washington issues nursing licenses either by examination (NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN, for candidates completing a board-approved nursing education program per WAC 246-840-025) or by endorsement (for RNs and LPNs with an active out-of-state license, or through the inactive/expired-license alternative under WAC 246-840-090; for ARNPs with an active RN and ARNP license under WAC 246-840-342). See the Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner sections above for the specific education, examination, fee and endorsement requirements for each license type.

Information Disclosure:

Fee and renewal information on the above nursing careers in Washington is drawn from WAC 246-840-990, current as of September 2026; see the inline citations above for education, examination and endorsement requirements.