Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Washington State Department of Health – Nursing License before applying for licensure. Last updated: 4/3/2020
| Nursing Licenses in Washington | Master’s Required? |
|---|---|
| Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) | Yes |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | Yes |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | No |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | No |
| Nursing Assistant | No |
Washington Nursing Salaries
| WA Nurse Career | State-Wide Annual Mean Wage | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Annual Mean Wage | Spokane-Spokane Valley Annual Mean Wage | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,940 | $60,360 | $56,320 | $54,750 |
| Registered Nurse | $86,170 | $90,730 | $80,070 | $95,420 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,920 | $124,730 | $160,110 | $114,280 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $192,440 | $190,730 | $189,240 | $224,170 |
| Nurse Midwife | $107,810 | $114,470 | Not Available | $113,030 |
Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Washington in April 2020.
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. The more education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.
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!
Sponsored Online Nursing Programs
Sponsored
Earn a Master of Science in Nursing online from Simmons University.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Earn an MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing
- The Wegmans School of Nursing is ranked among the top 100 nursing schools nationally, and is No. 6 in New York state1
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Earn your MSN online from USC’s School of Social Work.
- Prepares RNs to pursue board certification as family nurse practitioners
- Earn a CCNE-accredited MSN in as few as 21 months
- Choose from part-time and full-time study options
1 U.S. News & World Report, 2022 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s. Ranked in 2021.
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Compact State Status
Washington is not a Nursing Licensure Compact state.
Prescriptive Authority in Washington
According to the Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 18, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists may apply for prescriptive authority of controlled substances under schedule II to V.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) in Washington
ARNPs are defined in Washington as nurse practitiooners, certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists.
Education: Graduate degree from advanced nursing education program
Examination: Varies according to prerequisite national certification
Certification Required: National certification varies according to specialty area, but must include active Washington state Registered Nurse license
Experience: Varies according to prerequisite national certification
Fees: $125 Application Fee
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, national certification, experience as a ARNP, and a completed application with applicable fee.
Renewal: ARNP licenses in Washington expire annually on the nurse’s birthday. ARNPs must provide proof of active certification and 30 contact hours of continuing education during the renewal period.
Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
Registered Nurse (RN) in Washington
Education: Commission-approved nursing education program, which includes seven clock hours of AIDS education
Examination: NCLEX-RN
Fees:
- $120 Application Fee
- $200 Examination
Endorsement: RNs may apply for licensure by endorsement in Washington with proof of completion of an approved nursing education program, current active RN license in another state, seven hours of AIDS education, and completed application with applicable fee.
Renewal: Registered nurse licenses in Washington expire annually on the nurse’s birthday.
Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Washington
Education: Commission-approved nursing education program, which includes seven clock hours of AIDS education
Examination: NCLEX-PN
Fees:
- $85 Application Fee
- $200 Examination
Endorsement: LPNs may apply for licensure by endorsement in Washington with proof of completion of an approved nursing education program, current active LPN license in another state, seven hours of AIDS education, and completed application with applicable fee.
Renewal: Licensed practical nurse licenses in Washington expire annually on the nurse’s birthday.
Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.
Information on the above nursing careers in Washington was retrieved from the Washington State Department of Health – Nursing License as of April 2020.
Sponsored Online Nursing Programs
Sponsored
Earn a Master of Science in Nursing online from Simmons University.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Earn an MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing
- The Wegmans School of Nursing is ranked among the top 100 nursing schools nationally, and is No. 6 in New York state1
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Earn your MSN online from USC’s School of Social Work.
- Prepares RNs to pursue board certification as family nurse practitioners
- Earn a CCNE-accredited MSN in as few as 21 months
- Choose from part-time and full-time study options
1 U.S. News & World Report, 2022 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s. Ranked in 2021.
Sponsored