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Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)

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. 

  • You may have to complete an FBI fingerprint background check.
  • We will email you if you need to do so, after we get your ARNP application.

If you already have an active Washington state ARNP license and want to add prescriptive authority to your license, see Prescriptive Authority below.

Before you apply

  • If this is your first ARNP license, take your national certification exam.
  • Request a copy of your national certification. 
  • Request official transcripts.
  • Apply for a Washington state RN license (you can apply for it at the same time as your ARNP license).
    • Or print and submit the paper application below for an ARNP with an active RN multistate license in another state.
  • If applying for Prescriptive Authority
    • include proof of 30 hours of pharmacology training in the last 24 months.
    • Or proof of official transcripts of an advanced pharmacology course completed within the last 2 years

ARNP with an active RN MSL from another state

If you are an ARNP with an active RN multistate license (MSL) from another state, you can't apply online. You need to print and complete the ARNP with an Active RN Multistate License in Another State Application (PDF) and mail it in.

  1. Make sure you meet all requirements
  2. Request supporting documents (official transcripts and national certification) be sent to nurselicensing@doh.wa.gov
  3. Download and complete the ARNP with an Active RN Multistate License in Another State Application (PDF)
  4. Attach required forms and documents
    •  Any “yes” responses to personal data questions must have supporting documents, such as court documents and written statements.
  5. Mail in your application and fee to:

    WABON Licensing
    PO Box 1099
    Olympia, WA 98507-1099

We will email you if we need anything or have issues with your application.

ARNP with an active Washington state RN license

  1. Make sure you meet all requirements
  2. Request supporting documents (official transcripts and national certification) be sent to nurselicensing@doh.wa.gov
  3. Get your forms signed and ready to upload (or print and submit the paper application below for an ARNP with an active RN multistate license in another state.)
  4. Complete an online application
  5. Pay application fee online
  6. Attach required forms and documents
    •  Any “yes” responses to personal data questions must have supporting documents, such as court documents and written statements.
  7. Submit your application

We will email you if we need anything or have issues with your application.

Submitting forms and documents

  • You have 14 days after you submit your application to upload your documents online. 
  • After 14 days you won’t be able to access your application though SAW.  
  • If you have more documents to submit after 14 days, please email them to nurselicensing@doh.wa.gov

Requirements

To become an ARNP you must meet all requirements and provide proof.

Proof of Active National Certification

You must request to have your national certification sent directly from your certifying body to us.

NP designation:

  • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center
  • National Certification Corporation
  • Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses
  • Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation

CNM designation:

  • American Midwifery Certification Board

CRNA designation:

  • National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists

CNS designation:

  • American Nurses Credentialing Center;
  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses
  • Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation

See WAC 246-840-302 for more information.

Supervised Clinical Practice Hours Under an Interim Permit 

If you graduated more than one year ago AND this is your first ARNP license (you have not practiced as an ARNP in another state), you must complete the following:

  • Apply for a license and indicate that you have not yet practiced as an ARNP.
  • Complete the Supervised Clinical Practice Agreement (PDF) form
  • Obtain an ARNP interim permit with the Washington State Board of Nursing to complete 125 hours of supervised clinical practice for each year following graduation, not to exceed 1,000 hours.

Prescriptive Authority

Graduated less than 2 years from date of application

If you have graduated less than 2 years from the time of your application date, and are applying for prescriptive authority, your transcripts must include a course in advanced pharmacology.

Graduated more than 2 years from date of application

If you have graduated more than 2 years from the time of your application date, and are applying for prescriptive authority, you must submit proof of 30 hours of pharmacology continuing education completed within the last 2 years. 

Please document your hours using the Pharmacology Continuing Education Report form (PDF).

ARNP adding prescriptive authority

If you already have an active Washington state ARNP license and want to add prescriptive authority submit the following form:

There is no fee to add prescriptive authority to an already active Washington state ARNP license.

Mail prescriptive authority forms to:

      WABON Licensing
      111 Israel Road SE
      Mail Stop 47864
      Olympia, WA 98504

Other Forms

These forms may or may not apply to your situation. We will contact you if we need any of these forms. 

More Information

Questions?

We're available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.