Renew or Reactivate a License
Information on renewing or reactivating your Washington state nurse license for:
- Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Nursing Technician (NTEC)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
Multistate License (MSL) information
If you have an active RN or LPN multistate license (MSL) from another state, you don't need to renew your Washington state license.
- Please state on your renewal notice that you will be using your multistate license to practice in Washington state.
When we start offering MSLs in phase 2, you will need to apply for one if you change your primary state of residence (PSOR) to Washington state.
Continuing education and Active Nurse Practice hour requirements
Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) requires nursing continuing education and active nursing practice hour requirements for active and retired-active nursing credentials.
For more information on requirements for your specific nursing credential, please visit our Continuing Competency Requirements page.Renewals and Reactivations
We recommend renewing your Washington state nurse license online if you can. It is the easiest and quickest way to get your license.
Active RNs, LPNs, and ARNPs can all renew online.
- Visit How to renew your Washington Nurse License Online for step-by-step instructions.
- Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) renewal
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All ARNPs in Washington state must renew their license every other year, by their birthday, to remain in active status.
All renewal and reactivation fees are non-refundable.
To renew your ARNP license, you must:
- Have an active Registered Nurse license.
- You can renew your ARNP and RN license at the same time.
- Have an active certification in your area of practice.
- You are required to submit a copy of re-certification.
- Please fax certification to 360-236-4738 or email to nursing@doh.wa.gov.
- Sign the renewal notice attestation stating you completed 30 contact hours of continuing education credit during the renewal period.
- An additional 15 hours in pharmacology is required if you have prescriptive authority within the last two years.
- You don't need to sign the paper attestation when renewing online.
If you hold an active RN multistate license (MSL) in another state:
- Complete the Declaration of Active RN MSL for ARNP form (PDF)
- Email completed form to nursing@doh.wa.gov or mail in with your renewal fee payment.
Renewal before birthday
Renew your license and pay your renewal fee online.
Late Renewal (less than 2 years after your renewal due date)
ARNPs can't renew online when late.
You can mail in your renewal fee payment or come in and pay at the front counter.
Mail payments to:
Department of Health
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099Please allow 7-10 business days for processing time if mailing a renewal payment to our office.
Reactivation (More than 2 years after your renewal due date)
If you are reactivating an ARNP license that has been expired for more than 2 years:
- Complete an ARNP reactivation application (PDF)
Mail reactivation application and reactivation fee payment to:
Department of Health
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099If you've changed your name, you must update your contact information.
- Have an active Registered Nurse license.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) renewal
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All Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Washington state must renew annually by their birthday to remain in active status.
If you have an active multistate license (MSL) in another state, you don't need to renew your Washington state license. You may practice in Washington state with your active multistate license.
All renewal and reactivation fees are non-refundable.
Renewal before birthday
Renew your license and pay your renewal fee online.
Late Renewal (less than 1 year after your renewal due date)
Renew your license and pay your renewal fee online.
If you can't complete your renewal online, you can mail in your renewal fee payment or come in and pay at the front counter.
Mail payments to:
Department of Health
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099Please allow 7-10 business days for processing time if mailing a renewal payment to our office.
Reactivation (more than 1 year after your renewal due date)
If you are reactivating a LPN license that has been expired for more than 1 year and changed your name, you must update your contact information.
If your LPN license has been expired for more than 3 years and you do not have an active license in another U.S. state, you will need to complete a commission approved refresher program.
Complete a reactivation application (PDF) and submit the reactivation fee to:
Mail
WABON Licensing
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099 - Nursing Technician (NTEC) renewal
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Nurse Techs may renew a nursing technician registration if you meet the following requirements. To renew, you must be:
- A nursing student enrolled in good standing in a nursing program approved by the WA Board of Nursing.
- Employed in a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, a clinic, or a nursing home licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW.
Renewal
Nurse Tech registrations are not eligible for online renewal.
To renew your Nursing Technician Registration, mail the renewal fee to:
WABON Licensing
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099 - A nursing student enrolled in good standing in a nursing program approved by the WA Board of Nursing.
- Registered Nurse (RN) renewal
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All registered nurses in Washington state must renew annually by their birthday to remain in active status.
If you have an active multistate license (MSL) in another state, you don't need to renew your Washington state license. You may practice in Washington state with your active multistate license.
All renewal and reactivation fees are non-refundable.
Renewal before birthday
Submit the renewal fee for your license online.
Late renewal (Less than 1 year after your renewal is due)
Submit the renewal fee for your license online.
You may mail in your renewal payment if unable to complete the online renewal process. Please allow 7-10 business days for processing time if mailing a renewal payment to our office.
WABON Licensing
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099Reactivation (More than 1 year after your renewal is due)
If you are reactivating a RN license that has been expired for more than 1 year and changed your name, you must update your contact information.
If your RN license has been expired for more than 3 years and you do not have an active license in another U.S. state, you will need to complete a commission approved refresher program.
Complete a reactivation application (PDF) and send the reactivation fee to:
WABON Licensing
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099 - Retired Active RN or LPN renewal
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To renew your license send the renewal fee to:
WABON Licensing
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099 - Inactive RN or LPN renewal
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To renew your license send the renewal fee to:
WABON Licensing
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099
Resources
Questions?
We're available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Phone: 360-236-4703
- Email: nursing@doh.wa.gov