RN and LPN Multistate License Information
Washington state has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) effective July 24, 2023.
We are implementing the NLC in Washington state in two phases.
- Phase 1, beginning July 24, was successfully completed allowing nurses with an active RN or LPN multistate license (MSL) from another state to practice in Washington state.
- We are currently in Phase 2 which will allow the board to offer and issue Washington multistate licenses to nurses.
For more information about Phase 1 and Phase 2:
Important Information for Nurses
Nurses with an active MSL from another state may begin working in Washington state as of July 24, 2023.
All nurses working in Washington state must follow the Washington Nurse Practice Act when providing care to patients in Washington.
To work with an out-of-state MSL for a mandatory employer in Washington state, you must:
- Let your employer know you have an active MSL.
- Work with your employer to meet employment requirements such as:
- Complete Suicide Prevention Training.
- Complete the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) MSL demographic survey.
Washington State Multistate License (MLS)
We haven't begun issuing Washington state multistate licenses (MSL).
We are in the initial stages of Phase 2. This will allow the board to offer and issue Washington multistate licenses to nurses.
- If you have a current Washington state RN or LPN license, you will be able to convert to a MSL after Phase 2 has been implemented.
ARNP Information
The NLC is only available for RN and LPN licenses. (An ARNP Licensure Compact may be available in the future.)
If you have a Washington state ARNP license and an active MSL RN license in another state:
- You won't need to renew your Washington state RN license after July 24, 2023.
- You must notify us of this transition when you renew your ARNP license by emailing nursing@doh.wa.gov.
- You can't do this via the online renewal portal, you must email us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Nurses
Information for nurses about multistate licenses (MSL) and working in Washington state.
General Questions
- Do I have to renew my Washington state RN or LPN license if I have an active multistate license from another state?
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No. You are able to practice with your active multistate license in Washington state. If you work for a mandatory employer, you will need to report your MSL status to your employer and make sure you meet employment requirements.
- Do I need to apply for a Washington state RN or LPN license if I have an active multistate license from another state?
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No. Starting July 24, 2023, nurses with an active multistate license issued from another state will be able to practice in Washington state.
If you work for a mandatory employer, you will need to report your MSL status to your employer and make sure you meet employment requirements.
- I applied for my Washington state LPN or RN license prior to July 24, 2023. Can I be refunded my application fees?
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No.
We are unable to provide a refund for an application that was submitted prior to the implementation of the NLC in Washington state.Per WAC 246-12-340: “Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal, and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are nonrefundable”.
Upon receipt of a nursing application and fee, the Nursing Commission completes the intake process, WSP and NPDB background checks, and application review. The fees received are applied to this process.
- Can I apply for a Washington state RN or LPN multistate license?
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Not yet.
We have not started issuing Washington state multistate licenses. This will occur after Phase 2 of our implementation plan is implemented.
ARNP Questions
- Can I apply for a Washington state multistate ARNP license?
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No.
The NLC pertains to RN and LPN licenses only. An APRN must hold an individual state license in each state of APRN practice. Information about the APRN compact is available at aprncompact.com.
- Do I need to apply for a Washington single state RN license if I have an active RN multistate license from another state?
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No.
The NLC recognizes active multistate RN licenses as a valid license to support the ARNP license in another state.
At this time, if you will be applying for a Washington state ARNP license then you will have to submit a paper application to the Washington Board of Nursing.
You will also need to indicate on your application your active RN multistate license number and state.
- Do I need to renew my Washington single state RN license if I have an active RN multistate license from another state?
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No.
The NLC recognizes active multistate RN licenses as a valid license to support the ARNP license in another state.
If you have a Washington state ARNP license and an active multistate RN license in another state:
- You won't need to renew your Washington state RN license after July 24, 2023.
- You must notify us of this transition when you renew your ARNP license by emailing nursing@doh.wa.gov. (You can't do this via the online renewal portal, you must email us.)
Primary State of Residence (PSOR) & Moving Questions
- What does Primary State of Residence (PSOR) mean?
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For compact purposes, PSOR is not related to property ownership in a state. It's about your legal residency status. Everyone has legal documents such as a driver’s license, voter’s card, federal income tax return, military form no. 2058 or W2 form from the PSOR. If a nurse’s PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate (compact) license. If a nurse cannot declare a compact state as their PSOR, that nurse is not eligible for a compact license. They may apply for a single-state license in any state where they wish to practice.
- What do I need to do before I move to Washington state?
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The required steps will vary based on the moving scenario.
When moving to Washington state from another state with a multistate license, a nurse may continue to practice under the existing multistate license. If Washington is your primary state of residence, you should apply for a Washington multistate as soon as the Washington State Board of Nursing begins issuing them.
The board anticipates being able issue Washington multistate licenses in early 2024.
If your multistate license expires before February 2024 and your primary state of residence will be Washington, you should plan to apply for a WA single state license to avoid a lapse in privilege to practice in Washington. Once Washington begins issuing multistate licenses, you may convert to a multistate WA license.
- My primary state of residence is a noncompact state; it is also where I am licensed. I am applying for a license in Washington state. Do I have to give up my original license?
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No, you may maintain your current license and receive a single-state license in Washington state. Residents of noncompact states can hold as many single-state licenses as they would like.
- What if I move from Washington to another compact state?
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When permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement and complete the Declaration of Primary State of Residence form within the application, which can be found on your board of nursing’s (BON's) website.
You may start the application process prior to or after the move. You should not delay applying once you have moved. There is no grace period. If you apply in advance of the move, you may be issued a single-state license or your application may be held until you provide proof of legal residency. At that time you may be issued a multistate license.
- I live in a noncompact state, but I will be changing my primary state of residence to Washington state in a few months for a job. Can I apply for a license in that state now so I can work immediately after moving?
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Yes, you may start the application process prior to the move. Washington state is not issuing multistate licenses yet. If moving from a noncompact state, you will be issued a single-state license in order to practice in Washington state. You will have the option to convert your license to a multistate license once it is available.
- I live in a noncompact state, but own property in Washington state. Can I get a multistate license?
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To be eligible for a compact license, your declared primary state of residence must be a compact state. Primary state of residency does not pertain to owning property but rather it refers to your legal status of residency. Proof of residence includes obtaining a driver’s license, voting/registering to vote or filing federal taxes with an address in that state. These legal documents should be issued by the same state.
- I have a compact multistate license and have accepted a temporary assignment in Washington state. My employer or staffing agency is telling me that I need to get a Washington single state license.
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When hired in a remote state for a temporary position or commuting to a remote state from the primary state of residence (usually an adjacent state), employers should not require you to apply for licensure in the remote state when you have lawfully declared another state as your primary state of residence (PSOR). PSOR is based on where you pay federal income tax, vote and/or hold a driver’s license. The remote state nursing regulatory body cannot issue a license to a nurse who has declared another compact state as the PSOR, since the multistate license from the home state applies to both states. You have the privilege to practice in any remote compact state with your multistate license.
Resources
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
- Proposed NLC Rule Changes
- NLC States Map (PDF)
- NLC: DL Comparision (PDF)
- NLC: Travel Nurse FAQ (PDF)
- NLC: Moving to Another State (PDF)
More Information
Stay up-to-date
We will update our website and send out important information as we implement the NLC.
- Subscribe to our Washington State Board of Nursing News & Alerts to get the latest information.
Questions?
For questions relating to the NLC implementation please email nursingcompact@doh.wa.gov.