Understanding Your 2024 Washington State Nursing License Renewal

• 2024 Washington State nursing license renewal guidelines stipulate that nurses cannot legally work with an expired license.
• Many nurses in Washington State do not have time to keep current with each update they must understand in order to renew their license.
• Nursing CE Central makes renewal easy to manage, with options for RN, LPN, and APRN continuing education in Washington State.

The2024 Washington State nursing license renewal requirements exist for good reason. Our nurses must keep up as best practices evolve, so they are empowered to provide the highest level of care for their patients. 

However, we know you are facing burnout, staffing shortages and the high demands of a complex healthcare system. Nursing CE Central offers quick, effective courses that earn Washington State nursing CEUs. 

1. What are the CE Requirements for nursing license renewal?

All active LPNs and RNs are required to complete eight hours of continuing education annually for the Washington state nursing license renewal. Effective Dec. 22, 2023, two of the eight hours are required to focus on health equity.

Nurses are also required to complete a mandatory, one-time suicide prevention training requirement. Those nurses working in telehealth setting must also complete a nursing telemedicine training requirement. These hours can count toward your CE hours.

Nursing CE Central’s 2024 Washington State Online License Renewal Bundle includes all of these required courses. The telemedicine training is also available in a separate course.

2. How long do I need to keep documentation proving I completed my CE requirements for renewal? 

You’re not required to send in documentation for the renewal of your nursing license, but the Washington State BON recommends keeping documentation for at least two years.

Documentation of continuing education hours could be requested during a disciplinary investigation.

3. Can I renew now and complete my CE later?

No. You must complete CEUs within the year before you renew your nursing license. However, you do not need to send a certificate of CE completion to the Washington State BON unless it’s requested.

You could also be required to send CE completion documentation if you are selected for an audit or involved in a disciplinary investigation.

4. Am I required to complete a test or quiz for my Washington State CE requirements?

No.

5. Can CE hours be carried over if more CE hours than required are completed during the renewal period?

No. You can’t carry over any hours to the next renewal period.

6. Can I count the required training for suicide prevention and telehealth training toward continuing education?

Yes, you can count suicide prevention and telehealth training as continuing education for your nursing licensure renewal.

7. How Can I Check That My Renewal Application Is Complete? 

You check the status of your pending license on the Department of Health’s Provider Credential Search. However, the results will not detail what is missing from your application.

If you are missing anything from your application, the board will email you directly.

8. What happens if I don’t renew my license before the deadline?

If you do not renew a nurse license before the expiration date, you will not be able to renew online. A delay in processing time may affect your active licensure status.

Nurses who miss their renewal deadline will have to pay a late fee.

9. When is the last day to renew my nursing license with Washington State before it becomes inactive? 

LPNs and RNs are required to renew their license annually by their birthday to remain in active status.

10. How can I return my license to an active status?

If you miss the nurse license renewal deadline, you will have to pay a late fee and still meet all continuing education requirements when renewing.

Still have questions?

You can contact the Washington State Board of Nursing at (360) 236-4703, via email, or at the following location: 

Town Center 2
111 Israel Road Southeast
Tumwater, WA 98501

Visit our Washington nursing license renewal page for more information or to enroll for a Washington State nursing license renewal bundle today!

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