First, Set Up Your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) Account
To apply, renew, change your status, update contact information, or manage your license online, you first need to set up a SAW account. After you have accessed your SAW account, you will need to add the Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) portal service by the Department of Health to access your portal.
We use SecureAccess Washington (SAW) to protect your personal information.
Download step-by-step instructions with graphics:
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Check if you already have a SAW account
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Since so many state agencies use SAW, you may already have a SAW account. If you're not sure if you already have a SAW account, you can check.
- Go to secureaccess.wa.gov
- Click Get Help button
- Enter your email address in the Username Reminder field
- Click to check the "I'm not a robot" box
- Click Send
Tips
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If you have an account you'll receive an email within a few minutes.
You may need to check your Spam or Junk mail folders for the email -
If you don't have an account a message will pop up saying "You're email is not found in the system"
If you have multiple email addresses, you may want to try each one before creating a new account.
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Create a new SAW Account
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If you don't have a SAW account, you will need to create one.
- Go to secureaccess.wa.gov
- Click the Sign Up! button
- Enter your first and last name and email address
- Create a username and password
- Check the "I'm not a robot" box
- Click the Create my account button
- Go to your email and click the link to activate your account
- Click the Login button
- Enter your username and password and click Submit
Tips
- Add a second email or phone number for more security options when logging in.
- Set up Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for extra security.
- Visit the wa.gov How to Guide: SecureAccess Washington (SAW) is Your Login for State Services.
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Need Additional Help with SAW?
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If you have issues with the SAW site, contact Consolidated Technology Services (CTS). Help is available 24 hours.
Phone: 855-WaTech1 or 360-586-1000
Email: support@watech.wa.gov
Apply for a License Based on Nursing Type
Get information on license options (single-state vs multistate), requirements, and how to apply for a Washington state license for:
ARNP: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
To become an ARNP you must have an active Washington state RN license or an active RN multistate license (MSL) in another state, and meet all ARNP requirements.
LPN and RN: Licensed Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse
- Initial single-state or multistate license
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This includes:
- Recent graduates applying by exam
- Already licensed nurses applying for endorsement from another state
Nursing Technician (NTEC) License Application
A nursing technician (nurse tech) is a nursing student preparing to get an RN or LPN license. Nurse Techs are licensed to work in hospitals, nursing homes, or clinics.
Multistate (MSL) License Upgrade
Upgrade your active single-state Washington license to a multistate license
Educated outside of the United States?
If you completed your RN or LPN education outside of the United States you need to complete a few steps before you can apply for your license.
Online Application Instructions (PDF)
To apply for your license online you will need:
- SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account
- Department of Health (DOH) Online Application Portal referred to as the Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS).
Note: We don’t process applications for Nursing Assistants. The Department of Health (DOH) does.
For additional information about the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Comparison Chart
| Washington Single-State License | Washington Multistate License (MSL) |
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| Allows practice in Washington State only. | Allows practice in Washington state and 40 other participating compact states. |
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Initial single-state license fee:
RN: $138 LPN: $93 |
Initial multistate license fee:
RN: $203 LPN: $158 |
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Annual single-state renewal fee:
RN: $138 LPN: $93 |
Annual multistate renewal fee: RN: $158 LPN: $113 |
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Initial License Requirements:
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Initial License Requirements:
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Nurse License Application Process
We start processing your application as soon as we get it.
If your application is complete (with all documents and fees) it should take about 7 business days for us to process.
Some applications and situations will take longer than 7 days.
- Applications missing information, supporting documents, or applicants waiting to pass the NCLEX examination.
- Applications with special circumstances.
- Applications requiring additional review by our Education unit.
- Applications requiring additional review by our Case Management Team.
- Higher number of applications than usual.
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Step 1: Application Submitted (1-3 days)
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- We receive the application with fee payment.
- We input paper application information into our licensing system. (online applications are processed faster!)
- DOH processes the application fee.
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Step 2: Application Intake (1-2 days)
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- We verify the application information in our licensing system (IRLS).
- We email FBI fingerprint instructions to applicants with out-of-state addresses.
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Step 3: Background Check (1-2 days)
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- We conduct a criminal background check on all applications.
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Step 4: Review (1-3* days)
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- We review the application at the corresponding review desk (International, Exam, Endorsement, ARNP, etc.).
- If we find the application missing anything, or have questions, we will send an email to the applicant, resulting in a delay in the process time.
*We will try several times to contact you by email. If we don’t receive a response, we will close your application, and you must start over.
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Step 5: Final Review (1-2 days)
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- Once all requirements are met, we forward the application to the final review desk.
- We forward Exception applications to Nurse Discipline for approval or denial.
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Step 6: Active License or Temporary Practice Permit Issued!
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- We may issue a Temporary Practice Permit while the FBI Background is pending.
- Once the FBI Background is cleared, we issue your license. You are now licensed in Washington!
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More Information
Important information
These situations may or may not apply to you.
If we need you to do an FBI background check, or send us your official transcripts, we will contact you.
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FBI Background Check (Fingerprints)
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You may be required to submit a fingerprint background check.
The WA Board of Nursing doesn't send out fingerprint packets with cards.
If fingerprints are required, we will email you instructions on how to complete the process.
- After we receive your application, we will email you information on how to complete this process through Live Scan or on fingerprint cards obtained from a fingerprinting facility.
- You must either complete this process through a Live Scan facility or obtain the fingerprint cards from the place you get the fingerprinting done.
- DOH completes the FBI background check through the Washington State Patrol and FBI.
- We may issue you a temporary practice permit (TPP) while we wait for the FBI background check to complete. If you are issued a TPP, you must complete the FBI background check at your earliest convenience to avoid closure of your application for licensure.
- If you are unable to locate the emailed instructions sent to you, please access the PDF copy below. Please note, you may not print these instructions to use as fingerprint cards. You must obtain fingerprint cards from your local facility.
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Official Transcripts
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- If you are applying by endorsement from another U.S. state, please do not send official transcripts unless we ask for them.
- If you were educated outside of the U.S., please visit the Educated Outside the United States page for transcript requirements.
- If you are applying by exam or applying for your ARNP license we will need your official transcripts with your degree and graduation date posted.
Electronic transcripts
If your school uses one of the approved electronic transcript services below, please have them send your official transcripts to WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov.
- E-Script
- Parchment
- Student Clearing House
Paper transcripts
If your school doesn't use an electronic transcript service, please request transcripts be mailed to the address below. Make sure your transcripts have your degree and graduation date posted.
Mail transcripts to:
WABON Licensing
111 Israel Road SE
Mail Stop 47864
Olympia, WA 98504 -
Name Change Information
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If you previously applied for a healthcare license through the Department of Health (DOH) and then changed your name, you must update your contact information.
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Military Spouse or Domestic Partner
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Under Washington State law, the spouse or state-registered domestic partner of a service member of any branch of the U.S. Military, including National Guard or Reserve, applying for a health care professional credential may be eligible for the expedited application process by submitting the following:
A copy of your spouse’s or registered domestic partner’s military transfer orders to Washington state. A copy of your marriage certificate or a copy of a state’s declaration or registration showing a state registered domestic partnership with a member of the U.S. military.
See our Military Resources page for more information.