Military Resources Overview
The Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) is committed to honoring the service of military personnel and/or their spouses or registered domestic partners and strives to enhance the license process by streamlining certain services.
WABON recognizes that these individuals may experience unique challenges during the nurse license process. Several support services are offered once all required documents are received.
Already have a Washington state nursing license? We can help you
Pathways for Licensure
There are several different pathways military service members and their spouses or registered domestic partners can use to obtain a Washington state nursing license. View a printable version of the Pathways for Licensure (PDF)
Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON)Pathways to RN, LPN, and ARNP Licensure in WA State for Military Spouse and/or Military Personnel |
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Single State WA
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Multistate RN and LPN
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Federal Portability of Licensure for RNs, LPNs, and ARNPs (without having MSL) |
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Apply online for a Washington state RN or LPN through the Online Portal. |
Work immediately in WA under an active MSL if your PSOR (home state) is out of state. MSL Information. |
Apply via paper for the federal portability of licensure process. Military Resources. |
Submit a complete application, fee, copy of spouse’s military orders, and copy of marriage certificate |
No application or fee necessary, unless you change your PSOR (home state) to Washington state. |
Submit a complete application, copy of military orders, and declaration of active license in good standing. (No fee is required) |
Upon meeting all requirements, a temporary practice permit (TPP) will be issued for 180 days. |
Communicate your active MSL status to your employer. Your employer may require additional reporting. |
Upon meeting requirements, the WABON will issue a credential for the portability of professional license. |
The TPP will be issued within 30 days of receiving a complete application (typically under 7 days).
NOTE: The FBI fingerprint process must be complete for full licensure
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Note: PSOR refers to the “primary state of residence”, or “home state” of a nurse with an active MSL. For more information, please review the NLC Military Fact Sheet.
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Expiration date will be entered as the military order end date. |
Contact Us
111 Israel Road SE MS 47864 |
Stay up-to-dateWe update our website and send out important information frequently to those subscribed to receive emails. Subscribe to our Washington State Board of Nursing News & Alerts to get the latest information. |
Federal ReimbursementMilitary spouses may qualify for reimbursement of fees associated with obtaining a license. Click here–for more information and a link to federal requirements. |
Printable Table Download (PDF)
View the different pathways for military service members and their spouses or registered domestic partners below
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Apply for a Washington single-state license (expedited process)
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Apply online for a WA single-state RN or LPN license through the Online Portal.
Please Note: If you have a multistate license from another state, you can practice with that license.The Washington State Board of Nursing shall not issue a single state license to a nurse who holds a multistate license, Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) rules Section 401(3). When moving to Washington state from another party state with a multistate license, a nurse may continue to practice under the existing multistate license until a new multistate license is issued in the new primary state of residence (Section 403(1)).
- Submit a complete application, fee, copy of military orders, and copy of marriage certificate.
- When meeting all requirements, a temporary practice permit (TPP) may be issued for 180 days.
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The TPP will be issued typically under 7 days.
Note: The FBI fingerprint process must be completed for full licensure.
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Practice with your multistate license (MSL) from another state
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Work immediately in Washington state under an active MSL if your primary state of residency (PSOR) or "home state" is out of state.
- No application or fee necessary. If you are moving to Washington state with a multistate license from another state, you may continue to practice under the existing multistate license until a new multistate license is issued in the new primary state of residence in accordance with section 403(1) NLC rules.
- Communicate your active MSL status to your employer. Your employer may require additional reporting.
Review the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) Military Fact Sheet for additional information.
Visit our Military Multistate License Information page for more information .
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Practice under the Federal Portability of Licensure Act
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- If you hold an active multistate RN or LPN license in another state, you do not qualify for the military portability license and may practice with your active multistate license in Washington state.
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Submit a complete RN/LPN application or ARNP application, copy of military orders, and copy of marriage certificate (No fee is required) to:
Washington State Board of Nursing
111 Israel Road SE
PO BOX 47864
Olympia, WA 98504 - Upon meeting requirements, WABON will issue a credential for the portability of professional license.
- The credential will expire annually on your birthday. To renew, please complete the Military Portability License Renewal Attestation and submit with a copy of your military orders.
See 50 U.S.C. § 4025a for more details.
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
Federal, Veterans Administration, Military and Indian Health Services nurses are exempt from licensure in the state of practice when they hold an active nurse license in any state. However, this exemption does not apply when a nurse is practicing in a civilian facility in a nonfederal role. In this case, the nurse will need to hold appropriate licensure in the state of practice.
Military spouses who are nurses can maintain or change a primary state of legal residency at their discretion. Should a nurse maintain legal residency in an NLC state/territory and hold a multistate license and the military family is stationed in other NLC states/territories, the nurse may practice under the home state multistate license in the other NLC states/territories without obtaining additional licensure in those states/territories.
See Military Family Fact Sheet for Details
Visit our Military Multistate License Information page for more information .