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Online applications through HELMS will be unavailable Friday (02/14/2025) from 5 p.m. - the morning of Wednesday (02/19/2025)

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) License

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First Set Up Your SAW Account

Before you apply, you must set up a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account and sign in to the Department of Health Online Application Portal. Information about setting up or logging into your SAW Account can be found on the Apply for a License main page.

 
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Before You Apply

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.

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

Application Requirements:

1. Proof of Active National Certification

You must request to have your national certification sent directly from your certifying body to us at WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov.

Note: If this is your first ARNP license, you need to take your national certification exam.

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.

2. Official Transcripts

All ARNP applications for initial licensure by examination or endorsement must have an official transcript, with degree and graduate date, submitted directly from the nursing education program to the WABON.

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

Please do not have official transcripts sent until you have completed your nursing education program and your degree has been posted.

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

3. Supervised Clinical Practice Hours Under an Interim Permit (If Applicable)

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.

You'll need to apply for a Washington state RN license

  1. You can apply for your WA state RN License at the same time as your ARNP license.
  2. Or print and submit the paper application below for an ARNP with an active RN multistate license in another state.

Applying for Prescriptive Authority?

Requirements:

  • If you graduated less than 2 years from the date of the application, your official transcripts must include a course in advanced pharmacology completed within the last 2 years.
  • If you graduated more than 2 years from the date of application, you must submit proof of 30 hours of pharmacology training completed in the last 2 years.

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

Application Instructions Based on Type of ARNP License:

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 WABONlicensing@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 WABONlicensing@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.

Online Application Instructions

We recommend applying online for your Washington state nurse license as it’s the easiest and quickest way to get your license. We will send you a one-time paper license in the mail 7 to 10 business days after we approve and activate your license.

Reasons You May Not Be Able to Apply Online

You won’t be able to apply online if the following situations apply, and you will need to submit a paper application instead:
  • You have previously applied for the license in Washington state and your application was closed as incomplete.
    • If your application was closed, you will need to submit a new application and fee.
    • If your application was closed more than 6 months ago, you will need to resubmit all required supporting documents with your application.
  • You don’t have enough information in the public record to verify your identity.
  • You need to reactivate a previous Washington state license.

To apply for your license online you will need:

  • All your supporting documents and payment method ready, so your application is complete to avoid delays.
  • SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account
  • Department of Health (DOH) Online Application Portal referred to as the Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) added to your SAW account.

DOH Online Application Portal

Download step-by-step instructions with graphics.

Steps to add the DOH Application Portal- HELMS to your SAW account:
  1. Log in to your SAW account
  2. Click "Add a New Service"
  3. Click on "I would like to browse a list of services by agency"
  4. Select "Department of Health"
  5. Scroll to Online Application Portal- HELMS
  6. Click "Apply"
  7. Click "OK"

You will be returned to your SAW account page. You should see Online Application Portal- HELMS provided by Department of Health in your list of services.

When you are ready to apply click Access Now and follow the online instructions.

Tips

  • Apply on a desktop computer. Mobile and tablets tend to have more issues.
  • Use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge for best results.

Need help?

If you have trouble with HELMS or the online application process, you can contact us during business hours.

  • Phone: 360-236-4703
  • Email: nursing@doh.wa.gov

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 WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov

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,
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sending Payment by Check

We encourage you to apply and renew online, but if you are unable to, then please make checks payable to the Department of Health and mail them to the following address:
Department of Health
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

SecureAccess Washington (SAW) Account

We use SecureAccess Washington (SAW) to protect your personal information. To apply, renew, or manage your license online you need to either create or login to a SAW account.

Contact Us

111 Israel Road SE
PO Box 47864
Olympia, WA 98504
360-236-4703