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Renew or Reactivate a License

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Apply for a WA multistate license

The new WA multistate license (MSL) application is open!

Nurses whose primary state of residence (PSOR) is…

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First Set Up Your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) Account

SecureAccess Washington (SAW) Screenshot Image

In order to apply, renew, or manage your license online, you first need to set up a SAW account.

We use SecureAccess Washington (SAW) to protect your personal information.
Download step-by-step instructions with graphics:

Check if you already have a SAW account

Since so many state agencies use SAW, you may already have a SAW account. If you're not sure if you already have a SAW account, you can check.

  1. Go to secureaccess.wa.gov
  2. Click Get Help button
  3. Enter your email address in the Username Reminder field
  4. Click to check the "I'm not a robot" box
  5. Click Send

Tips

  • If you have an account you'll receive an email within a few minutes.
    You may need to check your Spam or Junk mail folders for the email
  • If you don't have an account a message will pop up saying "You're email is not found in the system"

    If you have multiple email addresses, you may want to try each one before creating a new account.

Create a new SAW Account

If you don't have a SAW account, you will need to create one.

  1. Go to secureaccess.wa.gov
  2. Click the Sign Up! button
  3. Enter your first and last name and email address
  4. Create a username and password
  5. Check the "I'm not a robot" box
  6. Click the Create my account button
  7. Go to your email and click the link to activate your account
  8. Click the Login button
  9. Enter your username and password and click Submit

Tips

Need Additional Help with SAW?

If you have issues with the SAW site, contact Consolidated Technology Services (CTS). Help is available 24 hours.

Phone: 855-WaTech1 or 360-586-1000
Email: support@watech.wa.gov

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 and your primary state of residence (PSOR) is NOT Washington state, you don't need to renew your Washington state license.

If you would like to upgrade your Washington license to a multistate license, you will need to:

  • Renew your current or expired license (submit all required renewal fees)
  • Submit a multistate conversion/upgrade application online.

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.

All RNs, LPNs, ARNPs, and NTECs can renew or reactivate an expired credential online.

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) renewal

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 Washington State RN license or an active multistate RN license in another state.
    • 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 email nursing@doh.wa.gov.
  • Attest in the HELMS Portal to having completed all renewal requirements, including 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.
  • Online Renewal Instructions
Reactivation (More than 2 years after your renewal due date)

If you are reactivating an ARNP license that has expired for more than 2 years:

  • Submit a reactivation application with applicable fee online through the HELMS Portal.
  • If you have updated your name, please submit a name change request through the HELMS Portal.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) renewal

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, and your primary state of residence (PSOR) is NOT Washington State, you don't need to renew your Washington state license. You may practice in Washington state with your active multi-state license.

If you would like to upgrade your Washington license to a multistate license, you will need to:

  • Renew your current or expired license (submit all required renewal fees)
  • Submit a multistate conversion/upgrade application online through the HELMS Portal.

All renewal and reactivation fees are non-refundable.

Renewal before birthday

Renew your license and pay your renewal fee online.

Reactivation (more than 1 year after your renewal due date)

If you are reactivating an LPN license that has expired for more than 1 year:

  • Submit a reactivation application with applicable fee online through the HELMS Portal.
  • If you have updated your name, please submit a name change request through the HELMS Portal.

If your LPN license has 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 WABON–approved refresher program.

Nursing Technician (NTEC) renewal

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.
  • Renew online through the HELMS Portal.

Registered Nurse (RN) renewal

All registered nurses in Washington state must renew annually by their birthday to remain active.

If you have an active multistate license (MSL) in another state and your primary state of residence (PSOR) is NOT Washington state, you don't need to renew your Washington state license. You may practice in Washington state with your active multistate license.

If you would like to upgrade your Washington license to a multistate license, you will need to:

  • Renew your current or expired license (submit all required renewal fees)
  • Submit a multistate conversion/upgrade application through the HELMS Portal.

All renewal and reactivation fees are non-refundable.

Reactivation (More than 1 year after your renewal is due)

If you are reactivating an RN license that has expired for more than 1 year:

  • Submit a reactivation application with applicable fee online through the HELMS Portal.
  • If you have updated your name, please submit a name change request through the HELMS Portal.

If your RN license has 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 WABON–approved refresher program.

Retired Active RN or LPN renewal

Please renew your license online through the HELMS Portal.

To change your status to Inactive or Retired, or change your status back to Active status, please follow this link for additional information: Inactive and Retired Active FAQs

Inactive RN or LPN renewal

Please renew your license online through the HELMS Portal.

To change your status to Inactive or Retired, or change your status back to Active status, please follow this link for additional information: Inactive and Retired Active FAQs

Inactive and Retired Active FAQs

How do I change my license to retired active status?

A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse with a current active license in good standing in Washington state is eligible to request retired active status. To request retired active status, please submit a status change request in the HELMS Portal. Advanced registered nurse practitioners do not have a retired active status available.

WAC References : WAC 246-840-125 and WAC 246-12-120

How do I change my license to an inactive status?

A registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced registered nurse practitioner with a current active license in good standing in Washington state is eligible to request inactive status. To request inactive status, please submit a status change request in the HELMS Portal.

WAC References:  WAC 246-840-120, WAC 246-840-365, and WAC 246-12-090

What is the fee for retired active or inactive status for a registered nurse lor licensed practical nurse?

The annual renewal fee for a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in retired active status is $68. The annual renewal fee for a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in inactive status is $68.

WAC Reference:  WAC 246-840-990

What is the fee for inactive status for an advanced registered nurse practitioner?

The annual renewal fee for an advanced registered nurse practitioner in inactive status is $40.

WAC Reference :  WAC 246-840-990

Am I eligible to change my license status to inactive or retired active if my Washington state license is currently in expired status?

No. You must first reactivate your expired Washington state license to qualify for an inactive or retired active license. Once your license status has been returned to active status and all outstanding fees have been paid, you may request a change in status. For additional information on how to reactivate your license, please see the Washington State Board of Nursing’s Renew and Reactivate a License webpage.

WAC references:  WAC 246-12-120 and WAC 246-12-090

How do I change my license back to active from inactive (less than three years)?

If your license has been inactive for less than three years and you want to change your status back to active, please submit a request for active status in the HELMS Portal. If you are requesting to change your status during your renewal cycle, please send a written request and the full active renewal fee.

WAC References :  WAC 246-840-120 and WAC 246-12-110

How do I change my license back to active status if it has been inactive for over three years?

If your license has been inactive for more than three years and you have been actively practicing in another US jurisdiction, please submit a reactivation application through the HELMS Portal. If your license has been inactive for more than three years and you have not been actively practicing in another US jurisdiction, then you must also complete a WABON-approved refresher program.

WAC References :  WAC 246-840-120 and WAC 246-12-110

How do I change my license back to active from retired active status?

If your license has been in retired active status and you want to change your status back to active, please submit a status change request through the HELMS Portal.

WAC References :  WAC 246-840-125 and WAC 246-12-140

What are the benefits of an inactive status?
Inactive status may be beneficial for a nurse who wishes to place their Washington state license on a brief hold. You may not practice under an inactive status license. It may be easier to return an inactive status to an active status, instead of having to reactivate a license that has expired for over one year.
What are the benefits of retired active status?
Retired active status may be beneficial for a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who would like to work intermittently and is no longer working in a full-time capacity. Retired active status nurses may work a maximum of ninety days in one year. Retired active status has an annual continuing education requirement of eight hours and an annual practice requirement of 24 hours.
Can I hold an active, advanced registered nurse practitioner license if I hold a retired active status license?
A retired active license is considered an active license without restrictions (other than limiting the calendar days for practice) in Washington state. Therefore, an active advanced registered nurse practitioner may also hold a retired active registered nurse license.

Resources

Questions?

We're available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sending Payment by Check

We encourage you to apply and renew online, but if you are unable to, then please make checks payable to the Department of Health and mail them to the following address:
Department of Health
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

SecureAccess Washington (SAW) Account

We use SecureAccess Washington (SAW) to protect your personal information. To apply, renew, or manage your license online you need to either create or login to a SAW account.

Contact Us

111 Israel Road SE
PO Box 47864
Olympia, WA 98504
360-236-4703