LPN License Renewal in Washington (2026)

LPN license renewal in Washington is handled by the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON), which requires Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN)s to renew every 12 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Washington LPN renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	12 months
Deadline rule	LPN licenses renew annually, due by the licensee's birthday each year. Late renewal is permitted up to one year after expiration; licenses expired more than one year require a reactivation application.
CE hours required	8 hours
Renewal fee	$93.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON)

Go to the official Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON). automated research workflow (official washington Board of Nursing), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for LPNs in Washington

Per annual renewal period an LPN must complete 8 continuing education hours, of which 2 must be in health equity, plus document at least 96 active nursing practice hours per year (these cannot carry over between periods). Separately, a one-time 6-hour training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management is required. CE and practice-hour rules became annual effective June 12, 2021.

Need approved hours? Compare Washington LPN CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your LPN license in Washington

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) portal.
Complete the required 8 CE hours.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: The credential is "Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)" in Washington; only California and Texas use the term Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Washington renewal is annual (by birthday), unlike the more common biennial cycle in many states. The $93 fee is the LPN renewal fee (RN is $138). No single fixed dollar late/penalty fee was published on the renewal page; late renewal up to one year is allowed and reactivation fees apply thereafter. Renewal is done online through the HELMS Portal via a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account. Health equity CE (2 hrs) is part of the 8-hour annual total. The Board recently rebranded from the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to the Washington State Board of Nursing, with its own domain nursing.wa.gov (doh.wa.gov nursing pages now redirect there).

LPN license renewal in Washington: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my LPN license in Washington?

Washington LPN licenses renew every 12 months. LPN licenses renew annually, due by the licensee's birthday each year. Late renewal is permitted up to one year after expiration; licenses expired more than one year require a reactivation application.

How many CE hours are required to renew an LPN license in Washington?

Approximately 8 continuing-education hours per cycle. Per annual renewal period an LPN must complete 8 continuing education hours, of which 2 must be in health equity, plus document at least 96 active nursing practice hours per year (these cannot carry over between periods). Separately, a one-time 6-hour training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management is required. CE and practice-hour rules became annual effective June 12, 2021. Confirm the current requirement with the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON).

Can I renew my Washington LPN license online?

Yes — Washington offers online renewal through the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Washington LPN license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) renewal