Washington · RN Endorsement
Get Your Washington RN License Without Guessing.
What you need depends on where you legally live. Three questions give you your path, the fee, and the documents WABON asks for.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington — U.S. National Park Service (public domain)
Do you need a Washington RN license?
It depends on your primary state of residence.
You may not need one.
If you hold an active multistate RN license from your home state, you can practice in Washington without applying for a Washington license. If your home state isn't in the compact, you'll need a Washington single-state license.
Apply for the multistate license.
Washington becomes your primary state of residence, so multistate is the application to file — and you have 60 days to file it. Filing single-state instead means paying a second fee to correct it.
Decision path
Which path are you on?
Three questions. Your answer appears immediately — no email required.
Where is your permanent legal home?
Not where the assignment is. This is your primary state of residence (PSOR) — the state on your driver's license, voter registration, and federal tax return. WABON: living somewhere temporarily does not change it.
What kind of RN license do you hold in your home state?
Not sure? Nursys shows whether your license is single-state or multistate.
Do you already hold a Washington single-state license?
Because Washington will be your primary state of residence, a Washington multistate license is available to you.
Your path
You likely don't need a Washington license at all.
WABON states that nurses with an active multistate license from another state have been able to work in Washington since July 24, 2023, and do not need to apply for or renew a Washington license unless their primary state of residence changes to Washington.
- WABON fee
- $0No application required
- Timeline
- NonePractice privilege is immediate
- License type
- Your MSLHome-state multistate
- Keep your multistate license active in your home state — that's what authorizes you here.
- You may be asked to complete Suicide Prevention Training and WABON's MSL demographic survey.
- You practice under the Washington Nurse Practice Act while treating Washington patients.
- Your CE only has to satisfy your home state — not Washington's.
Your path
Washington single-state license by endorsement.
Your home state isn't giving you a compact privilege, and Washington isn't your primary state of residence — so a Washington multistate license isn't available to you. WABON confirms residents of non-compact states may keep their current license and hold as many single-state licenses as they want.
- WABON fee
- $138Initial application, non-refundable
- Renewal
- $138/yrDue on your birthday
- Timeline
- Not publishedWABON posts no endorsement ETA
- Nursys verification of your initial U.S. license — the first state that ever licensed you, not your current one.
- Apply online through the HELMS portal using your Secure Access Washington account.
- Upload every document within 14 days of submitting, or the portal closes and you must email them instead.
- You can upgrade to a multistate license later if you ever move to Washington.
Your path
Washington multistate license by endorsement.
Washington is becoming your primary state of residence, so the multistate license is the one to apply for — not the single-state. WABON began offering Washington multistate licenses on January 31, 2024.
- WABON fee
- $203Multistate initial application
- Renewal
- $158/yrvs $138 single-state
- Review
- 2–3 weeksWABON's own MSL estimate
- An FBI fingerprint background check is required for the multistate license.
- Upload residency proof: WA driver's license, state ID, voter registration, federal tax return, Military Form 2058, or federal W2.
- Requires a valid U.S. Social Security Number and all Uniform Multistate Licensure Requirements.
- Disqualifiers: any felony conviction, or current participation in an alternative-to-discipline program.
Your path
Upgrade, not a new application.
Your Washington single-state license will not convert automatically. WABON requires a separate upgrade application, and your license number won't change.
- Upgrade fee
- $65Separate from renewal
- Review
- 2–3 weeksWABON estimate
- New renewal
- $158/yrMultistate rate
- Your license must be active — expired or inactive means reactivating first.
- An FBI background check is required.
- Include your primary-state-of-residence documentation as a PDF to avoid processing delays.
- No need to wait for your renewal cycle — the two processes are independent.
Your path
Reinstate first, then endorse.
WABON requires an active license to apply by endorsement. Without one, you'll need to complete a board-approved refresher program and indicate on the application that you're enrolled.
- Prerequisite
- RefresherBoard-approved program
- Then
- $138+Endorsement fee still applies
- Timeline
- VariableProgram-dependent
- Canada exception: WABON accepts an expired U.S. license plus an active Canadian license — verification of the active Canadian license must be sent to WABON.
- Educated outside the U.S.? Start on WABON's "Educated Outside the United States" page before anything else.
- Graduated from a non-traditional program? You'll need employer-verified proof of 1,000+ practice hours on company letterhead.
What you do
Your Washington RN endorsement checklist
Have an active RN license
You need an active RN license in another state. If your U.S. license has expired, Washington also accepts an active Canadian license. Otherwise, WABON requires a board-approved refresher program.
WABON · RN LicenseSend verification from your first U.S. license state
Request verification through Nursys. Washington wants verification from the state that first licensed you, not your current one.
WABON · Verify or Check License StatusChoose your license type
Moving to Washington? Apply for multistate if you meet the requirements: Washington residency, a valid SSN, an FBI background check, and no felony history. Otherwise, apply for single-state.
WABON · Uniform MSL RequirementsApply through HELMS
Sign in with Secure Access Washington. $138 single-state, $203 multistate. Fees are non-refundable.
WABON · Nurse License FeesUpload your documents within 14 days
After 14 days the upload window closes and remaining documents go to WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov.
WABON · RN LicenseBefore you start
Request verification first
Verification from your initial licensing state is the step most often still outstanding. Request it through Nursys before you do anything else.
A multistate license may already cover you
If your multistate license is active and Washington isn't your primary state of residence, you don't need to apply. Confirm before paying a fee you may not owe.
Moving starts a 60-day window
Changing your primary state of residence to Washington starts a 60-day window to apply for a Washington multistate license. Working there temporarily does not.
Your credential is electronic
WABON no longer prints credential certificates. Use the Department of Health's Provider Credential Search for status, and Nursys to see whether a license is single-state or multistate.
Cost
What it costs
Every RN fee includes a $16 HEAL-WA surcharge and an $8 Washington Center for Nursing surcharge. Fees are non-refundable and renewal is annual, on your birthday.
| Item | Single-state | Multistate |
|---|---|---|
| Initial application (RN) | $138 | $203 |
| Annual renewal (RN) | $138 | $158 |
| Upgrade existing WA license to MSL* | $65 | |
| Late renewal < 1 yr (RN) | $188 | $208 |
| Reactivation > 1 yr (RN) | $258 | $278 |
| License verification | $25 | |
Source: Washington State Board of Nursing, Nurse License Fees (verified September 15, 2026). *The $65 MSL upgrade fee is published separately, on WABON's Upgrade to a Multistate License page. Fees change by legislative action — confirm at checkout.
How long it takes
WABON publishes 2–3 weeks for multistate review, including the FBI background check.
For single-state endorsement, WABON publishes no estimate. Track your application in the Department of Health Provider Credential Search.
Build My License Checklist
Tell us where you're licensed and when you need to start working in Washington. You'll get the requirements that apply to you, in the order you need them.
Requirements
Washington RN requirements
| Requirement | What you need to know | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can apply by endorsement | An active RN license in another state. An expired U.S. license is accepted only alongside an active Canadian license. With no active license, a board-approved refresher program is required. | RN License | |
| Which state verifies you | Verification of your initial U.S. license — the first state that ever licensed you, not your current one. Requested through Nursys. If that state was Pennsylvania, Nursys does not carry it and you request it from the Pennsylvania board directly. | RN License | |
| 1,000 practice hours | Required only of graduates of non-traditional nursing programs, documented by an employer on company letterhead. Traditional program graduates do not submit this. | RN License | |
| Document upload window | Documents upload through the portal for 14 days after you submit. After that the portal closes to you and remaining documents go to WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov. | RN License | |
| Application fee | $138 single-state, $203 multistate. Includes a $16 HEAL-WA and $8 Washington Center for Nursing surcharge set by the legislature. Non-refundable. | Nurse License Fees | |
| Renewal | $138/yr single-state, $158/yr multistate, due annually on your birthday. | Nurse License Fees | |
| Continuing competency | 96 practice hours and 8 CE contact hours annually, attested in HELMS. Holders of a multistate license meet the CE requirements of their primary state of residence only. | Continuing Competency | |
| Working in Washington on another state’s multistate license | Permitted since July 24, 2023. No Washington application or renewal is required unless Washington becomes your primary state of residence. | RN and LPN Multistate License Info | |
| Who qualifies for a Washington multistate license | Washington must be your primary state of residence. Also requires a valid U.S. Social Security Number, an FBI fingerprint background check, no felony conviction, and no current participation in an alternative-to-discipline program. | Uniform MSL Requirements | |
| Multistate license review time | 2 to 3 weeks, including the FBI background check. | RN and LPN Multistate License Info | |
| Upgrading a Washington single-state license | A separate $65 application; single-state licenses do not convert automatically and the license number does not change. If renewal falls in the same month, both fees are owed. | Upgrade to a Multistate License | |
| Endorsement processing time | Not published. Track your application in the Department of Health Provider Credential Search; WABON asks applicants not to contact the board for status. | Verify or Check License Status | |
| Temporary practice permit | Not published for endorsement. WABON mentions temporary practice permits only to say it will not verify a credential that holds one. No eligibility criteria or duration is given. | Verify or Check License Status |
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need a Washington RN license if I have a compact multistate license?
No. WABON states nurses with an active multistate license from another state have been able to work in Washington since July 24, 2023, and do not need to apply for or renew a Washington license — unless Washington becomes their primary state of residence. Working in Washington temporarily does not change your primary state of residence.
Source: WABON · RN and LPN Multistate License InfoHow much does a Washington RN license cost in 2026?
RN single-state initial application: $138. RN multistate initial application: $203. Converting an existing Washington single-state license to multistate: $65. Annual renewal is $138 single-state, $158 multistate. RN fees include a $16 HEAL-WA and $8 Washington Center for Nursing surcharge.
Source: WABON · Nurse License FeesHow long does Washington RN endorsement take?
WABON does not publish an endorsement turnaround. The only official estimate on the site is 2–3 weeks for multistate license review, which includes the FBI background check. Treat any other number — including ours — as an estimate.
Source: WABON · RN and LPN Multistate License InfoWhich state do I request license verification from?
Your initial U.S. license — the state where you were first licensed, which is often not the state you work in now. WABON directs endorsement applicants to Nursys.com. If you were initially licensed in Pennsylvania, WABON says to reference Pennsylvania's own website because it does not participate in Nursys.
Source: WABON · Verify or Check License StatusDoes Washington require 1,000 practice hours for endorsement?
Only for graduates of non-traditional nursing education programs. Those applicants must submit work verification of at least 1,000 hours of active nursing practice in another state, sent directly from a current or previous employer on company letterhead. Traditional program graduates do not need this.
Source: WABON · RN LicenseI've been told I need a Washington license even though I hold a multistate license. Which is correct?
WABON's published position: when hired in a remote state for a temporary position, or commuting to a remote state from your primary state of residence, employers should not require you to apply for licensure in the remote state when you have lawfully declared another state as your primary state of residence. Primary state of residence is based on where you pay federal income tax, vote, and hold a driver's license.
Source: WABON · RN and LPN Multistate License InfoWhat are Washington's continuing competency requirements?
For an active RN license WABON requires 96 practice hours and 8 continuing education hours every year, two of which must be health equity CE, plus a one-time 6-hour suicide assessment training. If you hold a multistate license you meet the CE requirements of your primary state of residence, not every state you practice in.
Source: WABON · Nurse License FeesCan I get a temporary permit to start working sooner?
WABON references temporary practice permits only indirectly — stating it will not verify credentials that are pending, closed, or have only been issued a temporary practice permit. It publishes no endorsement eligibility criteria or duration for them. We won't promise one. Ask WABON directly at (360) 236-4703 before committing to a date that depends on it.
Source: WABON · Verify or Check License StatusCan I hold both my home state license and a Washington license?
Yes. WABON confirms that nurses may hold single-state licenses in multiple states. You do not give anything up by endorsing into Washington.
Source: WABON · RN and LPN Multistate License InfoIs my Washington license valid in other states?
Only if it's a multistate license, and only if Washington is your primary state of residence. A Washington single-state license permits practice in Washington only. WABON's own upgrade page is internally inconsistent about how many other compact states are covered — 42 in the prose, 40 in the comparison chart — so check the current NLC states map.
Source: WABON · Upgrade to a Multistate License