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Online Portal Maintenance

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

Department of Health (DOH) Provider Credential Search

To verify the status of your active ARNP, RN, LPN, or Multistate License, please visit NURSYS.com

 
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How to Check the Status of Your License

We are unable to provide immediate responses regarding your application status, so please don't contact us to check the status, instead, we ask that you check the status of your pending license on the Department of Health's Provider Credential Search. A customer service representative will email you detailed instructions if anything is missing from your application.

Search for your name and status:

Please note, that the Provider Credential Search will not detail what is missing from your application. If you are missing anything from your application, we will email you directly.

Status Types

Active

Once we approve your license it will show as Active, and you may start or continue to practice in Washington State.

Pending

You will see a Pending status when we have received and are working on processing your application, then we will email you if we need anything.

Closed

Your application will show up as Closed if we didn't receive what we needed to process your application. In this case, you will need to start over with a paper application.

Please email WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov and ask us to email a paper application.

More Information

Application Processing Times

We aim to ensure you become licensed and can work as soon as possible, by issuing a permanent license or temporary practice permit within 7 days of getting your complete application.

Some applications may take longer if:

  • There is a "yes" answer to any of the “Personal Data” questions.
  • The background check report is flagged.
  • It requires an education review.*
  • It is missing any supporting documents or requirements.

*If you completed your education outside of the United States, we need to review your official transcripts or education evaluation.

Current Processing Times

We are reviewing completed applications received by the dates listed below.

Application type

Applications being processed

RN or LPN by Endorsement

Currently reviewing complete applications for issuance of a temporary practice or permanent license received between December 20, 2024 to current date

*If an application lacks requirements, this will delay the processing timeline. Applicants are notified via email of all deficiencies.

RN and LPN by Exam

Currently reviewing applications for issuance of a temporary practice permit (if applicable) or a permanent license for NCLEX test dates of: December 24, 2024 to current date.

Currently reviewing new exam applications received: December 20, 2024 to current date.

Nursing Tech Registrations (NTECs)

Currently reviewing complete applications for issuance received between December 20, 2024 to current date.

*If an application lacks requirements, this will delay the processing timeline. Applicants are notified via email of all deficiencies.

ARNPs (by Examination and Endorsements)

Currently reviewing complete applications for issuance of a temporary practice or permanent license with an RN issued between December 20, 2024 to current date

*If an application is deficient of requirements, this will delay the processing timeline. Applicants are notified via email of all deficiencies. RN credentials must be issued prior to ARNP.

RN, LPN, and ARNP Reactivations

Currently reviewing complete applications for issuance received between December 24, 2024 to current date

*If an application lacks requirements, this will delay the processing timeline. Applicants are notified via email of all deficiencies.

**Chart updated on December 24, 2024

Applications that are missing anything, or we have questions about, will take longer.

We will email you if we have an issue with your application.

More information

Credential Verifications for RNs, LPNs, and ARNPs

Please note that we will not verify credentials that are pending, closed, or have only been issued a temporary practice permit.

Primary Source Verification

If you require primary source verification of a Washington State NTEC, RN, LPN, or ARNP license for employment or any other reason, please access the Department of Health’s Provider Credential Search. This information is always current and available for you to print.

If you are verifying an active RN or LPN multistate license (MSL), please access the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s verification webpage, Nursys.com. The DOH Provider Credential Search will NOT reflect if your Washington state license is single-state or multistate.

Primary source verification of licensure for an RN or LPN practicing in Washington State with an out-of-state MSL isn't available on the Provider Credential Search.

Verify Your WA License to Another U.S. State or Territory Using Nursys.com

If you require verification of your Washington State RN or LPN credential to another board of nursing in the U.S. or U.S. territory, you may complete this online at Nursys.com. Nursys provides instant verification of licensure to the other board of nursing for a $30.00 fee paid through this service. All U.S. states accept verification of licensure from Washington State submitted through Nursys.

For RN and LPN applicants endorsing from another U.S. state or U.S. territory to Washington State, please use Nursys.com to complete this requirement. If you were initially licensed in Pennsylvania, you will need to reference their website since they do not participate in Nursys. If you are verifying an LPN license from California, please visit their website as they do not participate in Nursys either.

Verify Your WA License to Another U.S. Organization or Entity Outside of the U.S.

If you require a verification of your RN, LPN, or ARNP credential to another organization, other than a US Board of Nursing, please follow the directions below. ARNP credentials will include information on whether prescriptive authority has been granted.

The verification fee may be found on the License Fees page of our website. A fee is required for each credential and entity you are requesting a verification be sent. For example, an ARNP requesting verification to multiple organizations will need to include multiple verification fees, along with the requested information for each entity.

Please mail the verification fee and a written verification request to include the following information:

  • Full legal name
  • Credential number
  • Email address
  • Mailing address or email where the verification needs to be sent
  • Any additional documentation required by the entity needing verification of your license

Please make your check or money order payable to the Department of Health and mail it to:

Department of Health
ATTN: Nurse Licensing- Verification Requests
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

Verifications are completed in the order they are received. As a courtesy, we will do our best to email you when the verification has been sent.

Verify Your WA License for a CGFNS Visa Screen

If you require a verification of your credential for a CGFNS Visa Screen, this is a free service. Please email the CGFNS Visa Screen forms and verification request to nursing@doh.wa.gov. Please include “VERIFICATION REQUEST” in the subject line of your email. A CGFNS verification of credentials for other purposes requires a fee.

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.