Informational Links:
Learn about Washington's nursing laws and regulations, as well as ongoing policy development areas and opportunities for public engagement, using the links below.
Laws
Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
Rules
Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
Statements
The board adopts policy and interpretive statements to provide guidance on nursing regulation.
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) Rules (PDF)
This document contains the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators
ARNP Title Change
House Bill 2416 was passed during the 2023-2024 Legislative session.
Informational Flyers
Definitions:
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Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
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A statute or law, also known as the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), is written and proposed by the Washington State Legislature and signed into law by the governor. You can perform an online search for RCWs on the Washington State Legislature website or go directly to the full list of RCWs.
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Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
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A rule or Washington Administrative Code (WAC) provides interpretive support for the individuals or entities to whom the rule or statute applies. Department of Health rules are written and adopted by a Board or Commission or the Secretary of Health. Rules carry the full force of the law. You can perform an online search for WACs on the Washington State Legislature website or directly search the full list of WACs.
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Interpretive Statement
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Interpretive statement means a written expression of the opinion of an agency as to the meaning of a statute or other provision of law, of a court decision, or of an agency order.
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Policy Statement
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Policy statement means a written description of the current approach of an agency to implementation of a statute or other provision of law, of a court decision, or of an agency order, including where appropriate the agency's current practice, procedure, or method of action based upon that approach.
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If you have questions, please contact our rules staff at WABONRules@doh.wa.gov.
More agency rule resources
Department of Health Rule Making