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License Application Instructions

If you completed your RN or LPN education outside of the United States, you need to complete a few steps before you can apply for your license.

Step 1: Decide If You Want a Single-State or a Multistate License (MSL).

Step 2: Determine If You're Required to Take an English Proficiency Exam

An English proficiency exam is required for all RN and LPN applicants who completed their nursing education outside of the United States unless one of the following conditions is met:

  • You can provide verification to the board directly from the nursing program indicating that the theory and clinical components were taught in English. Have your program complete the English Proficiency Exemption Attestation and mail it directly to the board:

    Board of Nursing
    111 Israel Road SE
    PO Box 47864
    Olympia, WA 98504

  • You can provide evidence of a high school diploma or college degree earned in the United States (official transcripts)
  • You can provide evidence of at least 1,000 hours of active nursing practice in a U.S. state with an active U.S. nursing license or in another country in which English is the primary language spoken. The work verification must be completed by your current or previous employer on company letterhead and include:
    • Dates employed
    • Verification of hours
    • Verification that you practiced in the profession in which you are applying

Step 3: Make Sure You Meet All Exam or Endorsement Requirements

English Proficiency Passing Scores

Please make sure you recieve a passing score from one of the following to meet this requirement before you apply:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, IBT)
  • Passing LPN score: 79 with a speaking score of 26 (institution code: 7292)
  • Passing RN score: 84 with a speaking score of 26 (institution code: 7292)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS, academic version)
  • Passing LPN and RN score: 6.5 with a score of 6.0 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
The Occupational English Test (OET)
  • Passing LPN and RN scores:
    • Minimum score of 300 in listening, reading and writing
    • Minimum score of 280 in speaking
Michigan English Test (MET)
  • Passing LPN and RN scores:
    • Minimum score of 55 overall
    • Minimum score of 55 in speaking
Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN)
  • Passing LPN and RN scores:
    • Listening 9
    • Reading 8
    • Writing 7
    • Speaking 8

Transcript Evaluation

Applying by Exam

If you were educated outside of the United States and you are applying for your first license in the United States, please have your transcripts evaluated by one of the following Board approved education evaluation companies:

f we can’t determine equivalency, then you must submit the education verification form (PDF) completed by your nursing education program.

Applying by Endorsement

If you already have a license in another U.S. state, please have your nursing education transcripts sent directly to our office from one of the following:

  • Your school
  • One of WABON's approved evaluation companies (listed under Applying by Exam)
  • Another U.S. board of nursing

Step 4: Completed Education Requirements According to WAC 246-840-045

  • You can read the complete list of education requirements on the WAC 246-840-045page

Step 5: Apply Online

After you have taken the English proficiency exam or submitted verification and completed any other verifications, you can apply for your Washington RN or LPN license.

Learn How to Apply By:

Step 6: Submitting Forms and Documents

  • You have 14 days after you submit your application to upload your documents online
  • After 14 days, you won’t be able to access your application through SAW
  • If you have more documents to submit after 14 days, please email them to WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov

 Other Forms

Contact Us

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

We Value Your Feedback

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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