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The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recently launched a new licensing system for all health professionals and facilities in Washington state on April 29, 2025. The Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) was developed to create efficiencies, improve user experience, streamline processing, strengthen data access, and reduce paper-based activities. Please note, you will need to manually add the HELMS Portal when renewing or applying in HELMS for the first time. We are also experiencing longer than usual application processing times due to this recent implementation. Thank you for your patience as we process applications in date order received.

Educated Outside the United States

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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 how to set up or login to your SAW Account can be found on the Apply for a License main page.

 
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Before You Apply

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.

Step 1: Decide if you want a single-state or a multistate license (MSL).

Starting Jan 31, 2024, you have the option to apply for a Washington single-state license or a multistate license. (MSL).

If you are issued a single-state license, you can apply to upgrade to an MSL later.

Washington single-state license

  • Allows practice in Washington State only.

Washington multistate license (MSL)

Comparison Chart

Washington Single-State License Washington Multistate License (MSL)
Allows practice in Washington State only. Allows practice in Washington state and 40 other participating compact states.
Initial single-state license fee:
RN: $138
LPN: $93 		Initial multistate license fee:
RN: $203
LPN: $158
Annual single-state renewal fee:
RN: $138
LPN: $93 		Annual multistate renewal fee:
RN: $158
LPN: $113

Initial single-state license requirements for applicants educated outside of the US:

  • Application and fee.
  • Transcript evaluation from a BON approved evaluation service provider.
  • English proficiency exam (if applicable).
  • Pass NCLEX.
  • Verification of an active license in another US state and passing NCLEX results (if endorsing from another state).
  • FBI fingerprint background check (if out of state address).

Initial license requirements for applicants educated outside of the US:

  • Application and fee
  • Transcript evaluation from a BON approved evaluation service provider
  • English proficiency exam (if applicable)
  • Pass NCLEX
  • Verification of an active license in another US state and passing NCLEX results (if endorsing from another state)
  • FBI fingerprint background check.
  • Valid US Social Security Number
  • WA State must be primary state of residence (PSOR)
  • Must not be a participant in an alternative to discipline program or have ever been convicted of a felony.
  • Must meet all Uniform Multistate License Requirements.

Download comparison chart (PDF)

Step 2: Take an English proficiency exam or provide verification of 1,000 hours of active nursing practice in another state.

An English proficiency exam is required for all RN and LPN applicants who completed their nursing education outside of the United States unless one of the following conditions is met:

  • You can provide evidence of a high school diploma or college degree earned in the United States (official transcripts)
  • You can provide evidence of at least 1,000 hours of active nursing practice in another U.S. state. U.S. work verification must be completed by your current or previous employer on company letterhead and include:
    • Dates employed
    • Verification of hours
    • Verification that you practiced in the profession in which you are applying
  • Your nursing education was completed and your degree was earned in one of the following English-speaking countries:
    • The United Kingdom
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • New Zealand
    • Samoa
    • Guam
    • Mariana Islands
    • Virgin Islands
    • Canada (expect for Quebec)

Step 3: Make sure you meet all exam or endorsement requirements.

English Proficiency Passing Scores

Please make sure this requirement is complete before you apply.

A passing score is required from one of the following:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, IBT)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, IBT)
  • Passing LPN score: 79 with a speaking score of 26 (institution code: 7292)
  • Passing RN score: 84 with a speaking score of 26 (institution code: 7292)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS, academic version)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS, academic version)
  • Passing LPN and RN score: 6.5 with a score of 6.0 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
The Occupational English Test (OET)
The Occupational English Test (OET)
  • Passing LPN and RN scores:
    • Minimum score of 300 in listening, reading and writing.
    • Minimum score of 280 in speaking.
Michigan English Test (MET)
Michigan English Test (MET)
  • Passing LPN and RN scores:
    • Minimum score of 55 overall
    • Minimum score of 55 in speaking
Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN)
Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN)
  • Passing LPN and RN scores:
    • Listening 9
    • Reading 8
    • Writing 7
    • Speaking 8

Transcript Evaluation

Applying by Exam

If you were educated outside of the United States and you are applying for your first license in the United States, please have your transcripts evaluated by one of the following Commission approved education evaluation companies:

  • Graduates of Foreign Trained Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
    • You must select the option for the CES Professional Report from CGFNS.
  • Education Records Evaluation Service (ERES)
  • Josef Silney & Associates, Inc., International Education Consultants
  • International Education Evaluations, LLC (IEE)

If we can’t determine equivalency, then you must submit the education verification form (PDF) completed by your nursing education program.

Applying by Endorsement

If you already have a license in another U.S. state, please have your nursing education transcripts sent directly from one of the following:

  • Your school
  • One of WABON's approved evaluation companies (listed under Applying by Exam)
  • Another U.S. board of nursing

Step 4: Completed education requirements according to WAC 246-840-045.

Apply Online

After you have taken the English proficiency exam or provided verification, and completed any other verifications, you can apply for your Washington RN or LPN license. Apply by:

  • Exam (first RN or LPN license)
  • Endorsement (already have a RN or LPN license in another state)

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

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.

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