Become a Nurse in Washington - APRN, RN, LPN Licensure
Important Note: Nursing licensure and practice requirements are subject to change. Nursing License Map makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the ultimate authority is your local state board of nursing. Be sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Washington Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 11/30/2017
| Nursing Licenses in Washington | Master's Required? |
|---|---|
| Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) | Yes |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | Yes |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | No |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | No |
| Nursing Assistant | No |
Washington Nursing Salary Average
Nursing Assistants: $30,150
Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses: $50,740
Registered Nurses: $80,120
Nurse Practitioners: $107,400Salaries of nurses in Washington can vary widely based on specialization. These figures are based on information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Learn more about Washington nursing salaries.
Learn about education financing options for nurses on our nursing scholarships and financial aid page.
There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Washington. The one you take will mostly depend on the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The more education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.
In addition to nursing salaries in Washington, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Washington nursing licenses on this page. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in healthcare, it’s sometimes difficult to stay current. If you have any comments on or suggestions for our information about nursing in Washington, please let us know!
Compact State Status
Washington is not a Nursing Licensure Compact state.
Prescriptive Authority in Washington
In Washington, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists may apply for prescriptive authority of controlled substances under schedule II to V.
Washington Nursing Licensure Renewal
All nursing licenses in Washington expire annually on the nurse’s birthday. Thirty contact hours of continuing education within the previous two years are required for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner license renewal. Forty-five clock hours of continuing education within the three-year continuing competency cycle are required for Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse license renewal.
Nursing@Georgetown is an academically rigorous, evidence-based program that culminates in a Master of Science degree in Nursing, delivered online by Georgetown University’s nationally ranked School of Nursing & Health Studies.
Nursing@Simmons is an online Family Nurse Practitioner program designed for currently licensed RNs who are at various stages of their career.
The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing offers an online Master of Science in Nursing program for aspiring family nurse practitioners through Nursing@USC.
MPH@Simmons, the online Master of Public Health from Simmons College, is designed to give you the real-world skills you need to address health inequity on a local, national, and global level.
An innovative online Master of Public Health program offered by the top-ranked Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.
Offered by the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, this online Executive Master of Health Administration program is designed for healthcare professionals who aspire to become leaders in their field.
This online Master of Science in Management of Health Informatics and Analytics program from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University enables graduates to improve the efficiency of health care organizations through the use of data and technology.
Sponsored Online Healthcare Programs
Advanced Registered Nursing Practice – Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Midwife – in Washington
Graduate degree from Advanced Nursing education program
Examination
Varies according to prerequisite national certification
Fees
Application: $92
Experience
Varies according to prerequisite national certification
Certification Required
Varies according to specialty area, but must include active Washington state Registered Nurse license
Renewal
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner licenses in Washington expire annually on the nurse’s birthday. Thirty contact hours of continuing education within the previous two years are required for renewal.
Endorsement
Licensure through endorsement is available to Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners in Washington.
Registered Nurse (RN) in Washington
Commission-approved nursing education program, which includes seven clock hours of AIDS education
Examination
National Council Licensure Examination
Fees
Application: $88
National Council Licensure Examination: $200
ExperienceNone
Renewal
Registered Nurse licenses in Washington expire annually on the nurse’s birthday. Forty-five clock hours of continuing education within the three-year continuing competency cycle are required for renewal.
Endorsement
Licensure through endorsement is available to Registered Nurses in Washington.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Washington
Commission-approved nursing education program, which includes seven clock hours of AIDS education
Examination
National Council Licensure Examination
Fees
Application: $88
National Council Licensure Examination: $200
ExperienceNone
Renewal
Licensed Practical Nurse licenses in Washington expire annually on the nurse’s birthday. Forty-five clock hours of continuing education within the three-year continuing competency cycle are required for renewal.
Additional Information
None
Endorsement
Licensure through endorsement is available to Licensed Practical Nurses in Washington.
Nursing Assistant in Washington
Approved training program or successful completion of alternative training, which includes seven hours of HIV/AIDS training
Examination
National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Examination
Fees
Application: $65
National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Examination: $110
Experience
None
Renewal
Nursing Assistant licenses in Washington expire annually on the nurse’s birthday.
Additional Information
None
Endorsement
Licensure through endorsement is available to Nursing Assistants in Washington.
Nursing@Georgetown is an academically rigorous, evidence-based program that culminates in a Master of Science degree in Nursing, delivered online by Georgetown University’s nationally ranked School of Nursing & Health Studies.
Nursing@Simmons is an online Family Nurse Practitioner program designed for currently licensed RNs who are at various stages of their career.
The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing offers an online Master of Science in Nursing program for aspiring family nurse practitioners through Nursing@USC.
MPH@Simmons, the online Master of Public Health from Simmons College, is designed to give you the real-world skills you need to address health inequity on a local, national, and global level.
An innovative online Master of Public Health program offered by the top-ranked Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.
Offered by the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, this online Executive Master of Health Administration program is designed for healthcare professionals who aspire to become leaders in their field.
This online Master of Science in Management of Health Informatics and Analytics program from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University enables graduates to improve the efficiency of health care organizations through the use of data and technology.
Sponsored Online Healthcare Programs