Washington Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2025

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Washington State (2025)

Washington State doesn’t just hand out prescriptive authority. You earn it. If you’re aiming to practice as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) here, you’ll need to meet a checklist of education, licensing, and certification standards that are equal parts rigorous and necessary.

This guide walks you through the exact steps to get licensed in Washington — what the state expects, why it matters, and how to avoid common application pitfalls.

Get Your Washington RN License

Why this exists: Before the state hands you a prescription pad, it needs proof you’re a safe, competent registered nurse. That means formal education, a national exam, and a background check.

If You’re New to Nursing (Licensure by Exam):

• Complete an approved nursing education program (ADN or BSN).
• Apply via the NCQAC Online Portal and pay the $120 application fee.
• Send transcripts and certificate of completion to the Nursing Commission.
• Schedule fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
• Register and pass the NCLEX-RN.

If You’re Already Licensed Elsewhere (Licensure by Endorsement):

• Pay the same $120 application fee.
• Verify your license through Nursys.
• Submit transcripts and background check.
• Pay an additional $30 per license for verification.
• If needed, submit proof of 1,000 RN practice hours.

Pro tip: Apply online for a temporary permit in as little as 5 business days.

RN License Renewal Requirements (Annually):

• $120 renewal fee
• 8 CE hours per year
• 96 practice hours per year

Complete an Advanced Nursing Degree

Why this exists: Washington requires a graduate-level degree (MSN, DNP) from a commission-approved program to ensure you’re qualified to diagnose, manage care, and prescribe.

• Program must include at least 30 contact hours in pharmacology completed within the last 2 years.
• Graduating within 2 years? Your degree’s coursework may fulfill this automatically.

Get Nationally Certified

Why this exists: The state defers to national certifying bodies to validate your clinical expertise in your specialty — think of this as your professional stamp of approval.

Washington recognizes certification from these organizations:

• AANP – American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• ANCC – American Nurses Credentialing Center
• NCC – National Certification Corporation
• PNCB – Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
• AACN – American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
• ONCC – Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation

Certification costs: Most initial certifications are under $500.

Apply for Your ARNP License

Why this exists: This is where Washington says, “We’ve seen the receipts.” After RN licensure, grad school, and national certification, you’re finally ready for ARNP status.

• Apply through SecureAccess Washington (SAW).
• Pay the $125 application fee.
• Upload required documents:
  • Graduate degree transcripts
  • Current national certification
  • RN license details
• Complete FBI fingerprinting.

Additional step: If you haven’t worked 125 hours/year post-grad, you’ll need 250 supervised advanced practice hours. More details here.

Check status via the Provider Credential Search.

Add Prescriptive Authority

Why this exists: Not all NPs should prescribe. Washington grants prescribing authority to ARNPs who prove they’re pharmacology-competent.

Requirements:

• 30 pharmacology contact hours in the last 2 years
• Coursework must relate to your NP focus
• New grads can often use their program coursework to qualify

What About the Nursing Licensure Compact?

Washington is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). This means you can’t practice outside of Washington with your WA license alone. You’ll need to apply for licensure in any other state where you wish to practice.