Transfer Your Nursing License to Washington: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my nursing license transfer to Washington?
Washington is a Nurse Licensure Compact state: a multistate license from another compact state works in Washington immediately, with no new application while you live in that other state; moving your residence to Washington means applying by endorsement. Nurses from non-compact states (California, New York, and the other non-members) apply to the Washington State Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement — the NCLEX is not retaken.
Moving to Washington from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
NLC member — multistate license honored
Whether you need to do anything at all depends on the license in your pocket. If you hold a multistate license and your primary residence stays in another compact state — a travel contract, a border commute, telehealth — Washington requires nothing from you. If you are actually moving to Washington, you are changing your primary state of residence, and that means an endorsement application to the Washington State Board of Nursing to re-home your multistate license.
Joined the NLC on July 24, 2023 under 2023 legislation; out-of-state multistate licenses were recognized from that date, and Washington began issuing its own multistate licenses on January 31, 2024 — MSL issuance is active. Existing single-state licensees can convert to multistate for $65.
Washington requirements at a glance
| Exam | NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys |
|---|---|
| Fees | $138–$203 ($138 single-state / $203 multistate initial application; FBI fingerprint fee paid separately) |
| Processing time | 1–3 weeks (multistate-license review may take 2-3 weeks; a temporary practice permit is issued once all requirements except the FBI fingerprint check are met (WAC 246-840-095), and WABON reported an average of about six days to issue one in January 2026) |
Comparing Washington with other states? Check RN endorsement requirements by state in the Endorsement Requirement Finder.
Step by step
- Confirm Washington's current requirements on the Washington State Board of Nursing website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Washington State Board of Nursing (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold an active RN license in another U.S. state (or an expired U.S. license plus an active Canadian license).
- Request Nursys verification of your initial U.S. license from the original state of licensure.
- FBI fingerprint-based background check for applicants who have recently lived out of state and all multistate-license applicants.
- Declare Washington as your primary state of residence if applying for a multistate license.
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Washington:
Nearby states
Nursing license transfer into the states bordering Washington:
Washington for other professions
- Cosmetology / Barber in Washington
- Real Estate in Washington
- Contractor in Washington
- Teaching in Washington
- CPA / Accounting in Washington
- Electrician in Washington
- Plumber in Washington
- Engineering in Washington
- Pharmacy in Washington
- Physical Therapy in Washington
- Psychology in Washington
- Counseling in Washington
- Social Work in Washington
- Occupational Therapy in Washington
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in Washington?
No. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys. No state requires a second NCLEX.
Is Washington in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes — Washington is an NLC member as of 2026-10-29. A multistate license from another member state is valid in Washington without any application, as long as your primary residence stays in a member state.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- WABON — RN License requirements (licensed in another US state) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WABON — Nurse license fees ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WABON — RN and LPN Multistate License information ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WAC 246-840-095 — Temporary practice permits (effective 2026-01-30) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- RCW 18.130.064 — Background checks (national fingerprint check when an applicant has recently lived out of state) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WABON business meeting agenda, 2026-03-13 — Nurse Licensure Processing Timelines (February 2026 update) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
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