RN License Renewal in Washington (2026)

RN license renewal in Washington is handled by the Washington State Board of Nursing (Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission), WA Dept of Health, which requires Registered Nurse (RN)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 RN renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	12 months
Deadline rule	Annual. An RN license expires on the licensee's birthday each year; late renewal is allowed for up to one year before the credential must be reactivated.
CE hours required	8 hours
Renewal fee	$138.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Washington State Board of Nursing (Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission), WA Dept of Health

Go to the official Washington State Board of Nursing (Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission), WA Dept of Health renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Washington State Board of Nursing (Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission), WA Dept of Health. manual review of WA Board of Nursing renewal, continuing-competency, and fee pages.

Continuing-education requirements for RNs in Washington

Each one-year renewal period requires 8 continuing-education hours plus 96 active practice hours; of the 8 CE hours, 2 must cover health equity (phased in by each licensee's 2026 renewal). A one-time 6-hour suicide assessment, treatment, and management training also applies. CE does not carry over between periods.

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

How to renew your RN license in Washington

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Washington State Board of Nursing (Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission), WA Dept of Health 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: Renewal is via the DOH HELMS portal (Secure Access Washington login), open about 85–90 days before expiration. The $138 fee includes a $114 renewal plus mandated $16 HEAL-WA and $8 Center for Nursing surcharges. Compact licensees whose primary residence is not Washington do not renew the WA license. The $50 figure is the late penalty within the reactivation fee.

RN license renewal in Washington: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my RN license in Washington?

Washington RN licenses renew every 12 months. Annual. An RN license expires on the licensee's birthday each year; late renewal is allowed for up to one year before the credential must be reactivated.

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

Approximately 8 continuing-education hours per cycle. Each one-year renewal period requires 8 continuing-education hours plus 96 active practice hours; of the 8 CE hours, 2 must cover health equity (phased in by each licensee's 2026 renewal). A one-time 6-hour suicide assessment, treatment, and management training also applies. CE does not carry over between periods. Confirm the current requirement with the Washington State Board of Nursing (Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission), WA Dept of Health.

Can I renew my Washington RN license online?

Yes — Washington offers online renewal through the Washington State Board of Nursing (Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission), WA Dept of Health. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Washington RN license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $50 may apply. Contact the Washington State Board of Nursing (Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission), WA Dept of Health promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Registered Nurse (RN) renewal