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.
The Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) is no longer printing credential certificates upon issuance of a nursing credential. The WABON discourages photocopying or printing of licenses due to the potential misuse of the paper copy of the license. The Department of Health’s Provider Credential Search should be used by all healthcare providers, facilities, employers, and the public to verify Washington state licensure status (active, pending, closed, suspended, denied, etc.).
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) provides primary source verification of all nurse licenses in all US jurisdictions to the public through Nursys.com. The NCSBN website also indicates whether a nursing license is a “single state” or “multistate” license. Employers, agencies, or institutions should define the mechanism for licensure verification in their facility. The Board encourages institutions use NCSBN’s Nursys® E-Notify free notification service. This service provides automated license status updates from participating states for institutions.
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
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Active
- Once we approve your license it will show as Active, and you may start or continue to practice in Washington State.
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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.
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Closed
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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.
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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.
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Some applications may take longer if:
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- 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.
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Current Processing Times
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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 May 7, 2025 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: May 20, 2025 to current date.
Currently reviewing new exam applications received: May 7, 2025 to current date.
Nursing Technician Registrations (NTECs)
Currently reviewing complete applications for issuance received between May 13, 2025 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 May 6, 2025 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 May 14, 2025 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 May 20, 2025
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.
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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.
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Primary Source Verification
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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.
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Verify Your WA License to Another U.S. State or Territory Using Nursys.com
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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.
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Verify Your WA License to Another U.S. Organization or Entity Outside of the U.S.
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If you require a verification of your RN, LPN, or ARNP credential to another organization, other than the 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 to be sent. For example, an ARNP requesting verification to multiple organizations will need to to submit multiple verification requests and multiple verification fees, along with the requested information for each entity. Verification requests should be submitted online through your HELMS Portal.
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.
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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.