Washington is the only state we track with an annual renewal cycle for RNs and LPNs. While the yearly CE requirement is modest at 8 hours, mandatory topics in suicide prevention and health equity add specific planning needs. APRNs (called ARNPs in Washington) face a different 2-year cycle with 30 hours. Here's your complete guide.
Washington RN License Renewal Requirements Overview
The Washington State Board of Nursing requires Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses to complete 8 contact hours of continuing education per annual renewal cycle. In addition, nurses must have 96 hours of nursing practice within the previous 3 years.
Washington joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2023, so nurses with a multistate license can practice across all compact states.
What CE Hours Are Required?
- 8 contact hours per year for RNs and LPNs
- Suicide Prevention (6 hours) — one-time requirement for initial or first renewal. Can count toward total CE in the year completed.
- Health Equity (2 hours) — required each renewal cycle. Covers cultural humility, implicit bias, and health disparities. Included in the 8-hour total.
- 96 practice hours within the previous 3 years (or completion of a refresher course)
- APRN: 45 hours per 2 years — 30 hours in specialty area plus 15 additional pharmacology hours for those with prescriptive authority (per WAC 246-840-451)
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Washington Nursing License
- Know your deadline. Washington RN/LPN licenses renew annually on your birthday. APRNs renew every 2 years.
- Complete 8 CE hours including any mandatory topics due this cycle (health equity every year, suicide prevention if not yet completed).
- Verify practice hours. Ensure you have at least 96 hours of nursing practice within the last 3 years.
- Log in to the DOH portal. Visit doh.wa.gov to complete your renewal.
- Pay the renewal fee. The current fee is $138 per year for RNs, $93 per year for LPNs, or $130 per ARNP specialty license (biennially).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting annual renewal. Most states renew every 2 years, so it's easy to miss Washington's annual deadline if you're used to a longer cycle.
- Skipping the health equity requirement. The 2-hour health equity CE is required every cycle and must specifically cover cultural humility, implicit bias, or health disparities.
- Missing the one-time suicide prevention course. If you haven't completed the 6-hour suicide prevention training, it's required before your next renewal.
- Not tracking practice hours. The 96-hour practice requirement is separate from CE and must be documented over a rolling 3-year period.
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Set annual calendar reminders. With yearly renewal, it's crucial to build CE into your regular routine. RenewRN sends automatic reminders before your birthday deadline.
- Complete suicide prevention early. The one-time 6-hour course is significant — get it done early so it doesn't create a time crunch.
- Use health equity courses strategically. Since 2 of your 8 hours must be in health equity, look for quality courses in this area that also advance your practice.
- Leverage your NLC membership. Washington joined the compact in 2023. Your multistate license lets you practice in other NLC states without extra applications.
Track Your Washington CE Requirements with RenewRN
Annual renewal means annual tracking. RenewRN monitors your Washington CE requirements, tracks your mandatory topic completion, and sends reminders every year before your birthday deadline — so you're never caught off guard.