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How to Renew Your Washington Nurse License Online

Only RNs, LPNs, and ARNPs with an active status can renew online. All other licenses and statuses must be renewed by mail or at the front counter of the Department of Health (DOH).

  • You can renew your license online 85-90 days before your license expires.
  • You can renewal late up to 1 year after your expiration date for RNs and LPNs and up to two years after your expiration date for ARNPs.
  • If your license is expired for more than one year for an RN or LPN, or more than two years for an ARNP, you may submit a reactivation application through the HELMS Portal.

Before you start

Before you renew online, make sure your contact information is correct in your HELMS Portal account.

To renew your license online you will need:

DOH HSQA Online Services

Add the DOH HELMS Portal service to your SAW account:

  1. Log in to your SAW account
  2. Click "Add a New Service"
  3. Browse a list of services by agency
  4. Select Department of Health
  5. Select “Health Professional and Facility Licensing (HELMS)"
  6. Click “Submit

You will be returned to your SAW account page. You should see Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal by Department of Health in your list of services.

Access Your Renewal

Once you are logged into the HELMS Portal, you should see your credentials and renewals.

  • If you don't see your credential listed, please call us at 360-236-4703.

Tips

  • Apply on a desktop computer. Mobile devices and tablets tend to have more issues.
  • Use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge for the best results.

Resources

Download step-by-step instructions with graphics:

More Information

Need help?

If you have trouble with the DOH HSQA Online Services or online application process, you can contact us during business hours.

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.