First Set Up Your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) Account
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
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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.
- Go to secureaccess.wa.gov
- Click Get Help button
- Enter your email address in the Username Reminder field
- Click to check the "I'm not a robot" box
- 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
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If you don't have a SAW account, you will need to create one.
- Go to secureaccess.wa.gov
- Click the Sign Up! button
- Enter your first and last name and email address
- Create a username and password
- Check the "I'm not a robot" box
- Click the Create my account button
- Go to your email and click the link to activate your account
- Click the Login button
- Enter your username and password and click Submit
Tips
- Add a second email or phone number for more security options when logging in.
- Set up Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for extra security.
- Visit the wa.gov How to Guide: SecureAccess Washington (SAW) is Your Login for State Services.
Need Additional Help with SAW?
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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, 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.
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.
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 ARNP MSL RN Declaration 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.
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.
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.
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.
All renewal and reactivation fees are non-refundable.
If you hold a Washington state ARNP license and will NOT be renewing your WA RN license because you hold an active RN multistate license (MSL) in another state:
- Complete the ARNP MSL RN Declaration form (PDF)
- Email completed form to nursing@doh.wa.gov or mail in with your renewal fee payment.
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 98507-1099To 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
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To renew your license send the renewal fee to:
WABON Licensing
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099To 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
Resources
- Inactive and Retired Active FAQs
- Online renewal instructions
- Check application status
- Nurse license fees
- Mental Health Resources for Nurses
- (WHPS) Substance Abuse Information
Questions?
We're available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Phone: 360-236-4703
- Email: nursing@doh.wa.gov