Nurse License Fees
All fees are non-refundable.
New nurse license fees went into effect December 1, 2022
Fees pay for licensing and regulating nursing in Washington state (RCW 43.70.250). The fees increased to cover the cost of:
- New licensing system.
- Staffing to process applications within the 7-day timeline required by the legislature.
- Staffing to address the long-term care crisis.
More information:
Fees by profession
| Nursing Profession | Fee Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP renewal is every 2 Years) |
Applications | $130.00 |
| Active Renewals | $130.00 | |
| Inactive Renewals | $40.00 | |
| Late Renewals | $180.00 | |
| Late Inactive Renewal | $80.00 | |
| Reactivations | $180.00 | |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | Applications | $90.00 |
| Active Renewals | $90.00 | |
| Retired Active Renewals | $65.00 | |
| Inactive Renewals | $65.00 | |
| Late Renewals | $140.00 | |
| Late Inactive Renewal | $110.00 | |
| Late Retired Active Renewal | $110.00 | |
| Reactivations | $210.00 | |
| Retired Active Reactivations | $180.00 | |
| Registered Nurse | Applications | $135.00 |
| Active Renewals | $135.00 | |
| Retired Active Renewals | $65.00 | |
| Inactive Renewals | $65.00 | |
| Late Renewals | $185.00 | |
| Late Inactive Renewal | $110.00 | |
| Late Retired Active Renewal | $110.00 | |
| Reactivations | $255.00 | |
| Retired Active Reactivations | $180.00 | |
| Nursing Technician | Applications | $25.00 |
| Renewals | $25.00 |
| Other Fees | Fee Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| ARNPs, RNs, and LPNs | Duplicate License Request (Issued in rare instances, contact us first) | $20.00 |
| NTEC | Duplicate License Request (Issued in rare instances, contact us first) | $15.00 |
| ARNP, RN, LPN, and NTEC | Verification of Licensure (Please see verification page prior to paying) | $25.00 |
Fee information
Fees and surcharges on nurse license fees are mandated by the Washington State Legislature. These fees can't be changed or removed without the legislature’s approval.
- The application fee is set by by the Washington State Legislature.
- Health Evidence Resource for Washington State (HEAL-WA) is an online evidence-based library for health professionals in Washington State provided by the University of Washington. All registered nurses and licensed practical nurses are charged a $16.00 HEAL-WA fee.
- Washington Center for Nursing (WCN) is the statewide nursing workforce center. All registered nurses and licensed practical nurses are charged a $5.00 WCN nursing surcharge.
License and Status Types
Active Status - A credential status indicating a nurse has a current license to practice.
Emergency Interim Permit (EIP) - A permit authorizing the applicant during a declared state of emergency to practice registered nursing, advanced registered nursing, or licensed practical nursing, as appropriate, from the time of verification of the completion of the school or training program until notification of the results of the examination. Upon the applicant passing the examination, and if all other requirements established by the commission for licensing are met, the department shall issue the applicant a license to practice registered nursing, advanced registered nursing, or licensed practical nursing, as appropriate. If the applicant fails the examination, the interim permit expires upon notification to the applicant, and is not renewable.
Expired Status - A credential status indicating a nurse did not renew their license on or before the expiration date. While expired, the nurse cannot practice. This is not the result of an enforcement action.
Inactive Status - A credential status indicating a nurse is not practicing in Washington. When authorized in law or rule, a nurse may request to have their license placed on inactive status if the license is active, in good standing and they will not be practicing.
Inoperable - A credential status indicating a nurse cannot practice because they are not employed where employment is a requirement of the credential, or is not actively supervised, or is not actively participating or enrolled in a required training program when any of these conditions are a requirement of the credential. Also, a credential status indicating a nurse practitioner cannot practice because they are not current with the national certification. Inoperable status is not the result of enforcement action. The nurse can resume practice when appropriately employed, supervised, participating, enrolled in a required training program or nationally certified.
Interim Permit (IP) - A permit authorizing the applicant to practice registered nursing or advanced registered nursing, when the individual is needing to complete supervised clinical practice hours as a requirement for licensure.
Military Status - A credential status indicating a healthcare professional has a full, unrestricted Washington State credential and is on active unrestricted military duty.
Retired Active Status - A credential status indicating a nurse has a current license to practice and maintains a retired active license. Retired active status allows intermittent or emergency practice defined in WAC 246-840-125.
Temporary Practice Permit (TPP) - A permit issued to an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure, with the exception of the completion of the FBI fingerprint background check. The applicant must not be subject to denial of a license or issuance of a conditional or restricted license.
For more information, please visit the Licensing Glossary of Terms.