Washington Board of Nursing License Renewal Requirements for Nurses
What are the state license renewal requirements for a nurse in Washington?
For registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses in the state of Washington, there are specific license renewal requirements that the Washington Board of Nursing determines. These requirements include courses for RNs, LPNs, and APRNs.
Related Information
- For detailed nursing license renewal information and latest updates, please always refer to the Washington State Board of Nursing
Nursing License CE Requirements
CE Requirements for Nursing Licenses
Annually, the Washington Nursing Board requires nurses to complete the following continuing education contact hours to comply with licensing requirements:
- 8 contact hours for RN license renewal plus 96 practice hours due every year.
- 8 contact hours for LPN license renewal plus 96 practice hours due every year.
- 30 contact hours for APRN license renewal plus 96 practice hours due every year.
An additional 15 hours in pharmacology are required if you have prescriptive authority.
Mandated State Courses
Washington requires that nurses and other health professionals complete a one-time mandatory six hours of continuing education (CE) in suicide assessment, treatment, and management.
Legislation requires that the health professionals take a suicide prevention course that meets their hour and content requirement before the end of the next full continuing education period.
Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Management for Washington Healthcare Professionals: Suicide Prevention Program
As of Dec. 22, 2023, the new health equity continuing education (CE) requirement is:
2 hours of health equity CE
These hours count toward the required 8 hours total of continuing education.
Timeline to complete health equity CE:
All licensed RNs and LPNs have until their 2026 renewal date to complete 2 hours of health equity CE.
After 2026 renewal, nurses must complete 2 hours of health equity CE every renewal period.
Nurses applying for a license have until their 2nd renewal date to complete 2 hours of health equity CE.
After 2nd renewal, nurses must complete 2 hours of health equity CE every renewal period.
License Expiration and Renewal
Registered Nurse Licenses:
Washington RN licenses expire every year on the nurse's birthday.
Licensed Practical Nurse Licenses:
Washington LPN licenses expire every year on the nurse's birthday.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Licenses:
Washington APRN licenses expire every year on the nurse's birthday.
About Wild Iris Medical Education
Wild Iris Medical Education, Inc., is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation (ANCC). Provider #P0314.
Washington nursing license renewal information as of January 2024.
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Eunice, RN in Minnesota