Washington State Rn License Continuing Education Requirements
Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Washington State
Washington is filled with natural wonders: Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. Okay, the last one may not be a natural wonder, but it sure is fun to visit. If nature isn't your scene, enjoy the nightlife of Seattle. In the morning, choose one of the hundreds of coffee shops the city has to offer to perk you up.
If you are a registered nurse (or are thinking of becoming one) read on to find the information you need, from licensing info, continuing education requirements, job & salary outlook, top hospitals, and nursing associations. Let us help you find your dream job!
In this article, we will cover:
- Licensing information
- Steps for renewing a Washington nursing license
- Continuing education requirements
- Job & salary outlook for nurses in Washington
- Top hospitals in Washington
- Nursing organizations & associations in Washington
- Basic steps for licensing and certification
- Contact information
Licensing information
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Washington whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Washington from another state. For more information visit the Washington licensing page.
Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):
- NCLEX fee: $200
- Application fee: $120 (RN); $85 (LPN)
- Fingerprint fee: $49.25
Licensing fees by endorsement (nurses who already have RN licensure):
- Application fee: $120 (RN); $85 (LPN); $125 (ARNP)
- Fingerprint fee: $49.25
License renewal fees:
- Application fee: $120 (RN); $85 (LPN); $125 (ARNP)
Starting December 1, 2022, nurse license application and renewal fees will increase.
- LPN fees will increase $5
- RN fees will increase $15
- ARNP fees will increase $5
*Fees are subject to change.
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Steps for renewing a Washington nursing license
- Verify the status of your nursing license
Visit the Verification page to confirm your license.
- Complete continuing education requirements before your license expires
You can complete your nursing CEUs online, on your schedule, and 100% free with Incredible Health.
- Go to the Washington State Department of Health website to renew your license
Visit the Renewal Information page for specifics.
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Continuing education requirements
RN: 8 CE hours and 96 active practice hours yearly
LPN: 8 CE hours and 96 active practice hours yearly
APRN: Renewal period every two years:
- 30 CE hours in specialty area
- Additional 15 hours in pharmacology is required if nurse has prescriptive authority
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Washington State Department of Health Nursing Commission accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
Earn your CEUs free
Our easy online CE courses are ANCC-accredited and 100% free for nurses.
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Job & salary outlook for nurses in Washington
Due to the shortage of nurses, these healthcare professionals are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates the profession will grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031. The national average salary is $82,750.
We can also help you check out salary estimates to help determine if Washington is the right state for you.
[ MORE: Average nurse salary in Washington ]
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Top hospitals in Washington
If you're not already picking up the phone to call movers, maybe this list of the best hospitals in Washington will sway you in the right direction. Here are the top hospitals according to U.S. News and World Report:
- UW Medicine-University of Washington Medical Center – Seattle, WA: This facility is nationally ranked in 6 adult specialties and rated high performing in 5 adult specialties and 14 procedures and conditions. Some specialties include:
- Rehabilitation (#5 in the nation)
- Diabetes & Endocrinology (#10 in the nation)
- Cancer (#27 in the nation)
- Ear, Nose & Throat (#31 in the nation)
- Learn more
- Virginia Mason Medical Center – Seattle, WA: This facility is rated high performing in 5 adult specialties and 14 procedures and conditions. Some specialties include:
- Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
- Geriatrics
- Neurology & Neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Learn more
- Providence St. Peter Hospital – Olympia, WA: This hospital is a member of the Magnet Recognition Program® and is rated high performing in 1 adult specialty and 15 procedures and conditions. Some specialties include:
- Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion)
- Stroke
- Learn more
*Magnet status – Awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is considered the "gold standard" for excellence in nursing practice and care. Hospitals must meet certain criteria and apply to be designated.
Top nursing jobs in Washington on Incredible Health
Nursing organizations & associations in Washington
Once you become a registered nurse (or even if you're in the process), joining a nursing organization or association will give you access to networking, job opportunities, and a wealth of information shared between fellow nurses. Here are a few of the organizations and associations for nurses in Washington:
King County Nurses Association – "King County Nurses Association (KCNA) is a professional organization of registered nurses, committed to promoting healthy communities through education, advocacy, and outreach."
Washington State Nurses Association – "The Washington State Nurses Association provides representation, resources, and education that allow nurses to reach our full professional potential and focus on caring for patients and our communities."
Western Washington Nurses Association of Hispanic Nurses – The mission for this association is to "center Latinx populations as part of the racial and ethnic health equity continuum of the nursing profession and intentionally lead with racial & ethnic health equity & inclusion as the lens to uncover, name, examine and eliminate the mechanisms resulting in unjust health disparities affecting Latinx communities and populations."
Check out thecomprehensive list of national organizations as well.
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Basic steps for licensing and certification
Step 1: Education
Attend an accredited nursing school to earn either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN will take between 18 and 24 months to complete, while you can expect to spend roughly four years to earn a BSN. If you already have an ADN, there is an ADN to BSN bridge program that allows you to earn a BSN in 12-18 months. There is also an RN to BSN bridge which takes three semesters of nursing courses to be completed in one year. These programs will save you time and money. The more education you have, the better your chances of landing your dream job.
Step 2: Licensing
When you are six weeks away from graduation, you can apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. There are 75 to 265 questions on the NCLEX-RN with a five-hour time limit for completion. If you do not pass the NCLEX-RN on your first attempt, you must wait 45 days before you can try again.
The NCLEX includes questions on the following topics to test nursing candidates' knowledge:
1. Safe and effective care environment
2. Health promotion and maintenance
3. Psychosocial integrity
4. Physiological integrity
Step 3: Experience
This step in the process is to gain hands-on experience. This will provide you with invaluable opportunities to work with patients making you attractive to future employers.
Step 4: Certification
The final step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. Requirements for earning a certification vary so it is important to check with the governing body for information. Incredible Health offers free courses in order to obtain or renew certification requirements. Create a free account to access professional development mandates and get instant certificates.
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Washington State Department of Health Nursing Commission
Phone: (360) 236-4703
Mailing Address:
P.O. BOX 47864
Olympia, WA
98504-7864
Physical Address:
111 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA
98501
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/NursingCommission
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Source: https://www.incrediblehealth.com/blog/washington-ceu-license-requirements/
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