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Renew or Reactivate a License

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Renewals and Reactivation Requirements

All RNs, LPNs, ARNPs, and NTECs can renew or reactivate an expired Washington state nursing license online here:

Renew/Reactivate a License

  • You can renew your license online 85-90 days before your license expires
  • You can renew 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
  • Visit the Online Portal Instructions page for step-by-step instructions on how to renew your license online

All renewal and reactivation fees are non-refundable.

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.

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.

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 and may upload this directly to your online renewal through the HELMS portal
  • Attest in the HELMS Portal to completing 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
  • Visit the Online Portal Instructions page for step-by-step 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

  • Your reactivation fee will pay for your expired license to be brought to the current date it is reactivated. You will still be responsible for paying for your next renewal cycle, even if it is due immediately after your license is reactivated. There is no grace period.

    For example: You submit your reactivation application on December 12thand your birthday is December 30th. If your license is reactivated on December 15th, you will still need to renew your license by your December 30th birthday for your upcoming renewal cycle.

    If you do not need your license reactivated immediately, you may delay submission of your reactivation application until after your birthday.

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

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 the 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 or Canada, you will need to complete a WABON–approved refresher program. If you do not have an active license in the U.S., but have an active license in Canada, please provide verification of your active practice in Canada.

Reactivation with an Active Multistate License in Another State (WA License Expired After Your Renewal is Due)

If you are reactivating an RN or LPN license that has expired AND you hold an active multistate license in another state:

  • Complete and mail a reactivation application with applicable renewal fee ($138 RN or $93 LPN). To obtain a copy of this PDF application, please submit an emailed request to nursing@doh.wa.gov so that we may verify your active MSL in another state first.
  • If you have updated your name, please submit a name change request through your HELMS Portal
  • If you are reactivating your WA license because you have changed your primary state of residence (PSOR) to WA, you will need to attest to your WA PSOR on the application
    Please note: You can hold only one active MSL at a time, and it must be in your PSOR
  • If you are interested in upgrading your WA license to a WA multistate license, you will need to apply for an upgrade in your HELMS portal after your Washington state license is reinstated back to “active” status

Maintaining a License After Reactivation

Your reactivation fee will pay for your expired license to be brought to the current date it is reactivated. You will still be responsible for paying for your next renewal cycle, even if it is due immediately after your license is reactivated. There is no grace period.

For example: You submit your reactivation application on December 12thand your birthday is December 30th. If your license is reactivated on December 15th, you will still need to renew your license by your December 30th birthday for your upcoming renewal cycle.

If you do not need your license reactivated immediately, you may delay submission of your reactivation application until after your birthday.

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

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 the 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 or Canada, you will need to complete a WABON–approved refresher program. If you do not have an active license in the U.S., but have an active license in Canada, please provide verification of your active practice in Canada.

Reactivation with an Active Multistate License in Another State (WA License Expired After Your Renewal is Due)

If you are reactivating an RN or LPN license that has expired AND you hold an active multistate license in another state:

  • Complete and mail a reactivation application with applicable renewal fee ($138 RN or $93 LPN). To obtain a copy of this PDF application, please submit an emailed request to nursing@doh.wa.gov so that we may verify your active MSL in another state first.
  • If you have updated your name, please submit a name change request through your HELMS Portal
  • If you are reactivating your WA license because you have changed your primary state of residence (PSOR) to WA, you will need to attest to your WA PSOR on the application.
    Please note: You can hold only one active MSL at a time, and it must be in your PSOR.
  • If you are interested in upgrading your WA license to a WA multistate license, you will need to apply for an upgrade in your HELMS portal after your Washington state license is reinstated back to “active” status.

Maintaining a License After Reactivation

Your reactivation fee will pay for your expired license to be brought to the current date it is reactivated. You will still be responsible for paying for your next renewal cycle, even if it is due immediately after your license is reactivated. There is no grace period.

For example: You submit your reactivation application on December 12thand your birthday is December 30th. If your license is reactivated on December 15th, you will still need to renew your license by your December 30th birthday for your upcoming renewal cycle.

If you do not need your license reactivated immediately, you may delay submission of your reactivation application until after your birthday.

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

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

Nursing Technician (NTEC) Renewal

Nurse Techs may renew a nursing technician registration if they meet the following requirements.

To renew, they 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 your license and pay your renewal fee online.

Inactive and Retired Active FAQs

How do I change my license to retired active 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 or 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 3 years and you have been actively practicing in another US jurisdiction or Canada, 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 or Canada, you will need to complete a WABON approved refresher program. If you do not have an active license in the U.S., but have an active license in Canada, please provide verification of your active practice in Canada.

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.

 
Additional Resources

Contact Us

111 Israel Road SE
PO Box 47864
Olympia, WA 98504
360-236-4703
nursing@doh.wa.gov

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While the Board of Nursing is a regulatory board, we value a human-centered approach to our processes and continue to strive to improve our services. We appreciate hearing about your experience and any suggestions or solutions that you may have. Thank you for your time to provide input; feedback may be done anonymously, or you may request a response.

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