Transfer Your Nursing License to Washington: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Washington State Board of Nursing ↗
Washington is a Nurse Licensure Compact state: a multistate license from another compact state works in Washington immediately, with no new application. 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 |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements |
|
| Fees | $138–$203 ($138 single-state / $203 multistate initial application; FBI fingerprint fee paid separately) |
| Processing time | 1–3 weeks (about 7 business days for a complete application; multistate-license review 2-3 weeks; temporary practice permit issued once requirements are met pending the FBI background check) |
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 with out-of-state addresses and all multistate-license applicants.
- Declare Washington as your primary state of residence if applying for a multistate license.
- Pay the fees ($138–$203 ($138 single-state / $203 multistate initial application; FBI fingerprint fee paid separately)) and allow 1–3 weeks (about 7 business days for a complete application; multistate-license review 2-3 weeks; temporary practice permit issued once requirements are met pending the FBI background check).
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Washington:
All 43 origin states
Frequently asked questions
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. 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.
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.
How much does it cost to transfer an RN license to Washington?
$138–$203 ($138 single-state / $203 multistate initial application; FBI fingerprint fee paid separately) ($138 single-state / $203 multistate initial application; FBI fingerprint fee paid separately).
How long does Washington take to process an endorsement application?
1–3 weeks (about 7 business days for a complete application; multistate-license review 2-3 weeks; temporary practice permit issued once requirements are met pending the FBI background check) — about 7 business days for a complete application; multistate-license review 2-3 weeks; temporary practice permit issued once requirements are met pending the FBI background check.
Is Washington in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes — Washington is an NLC member as of 2026-07-21. 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 2026-07-21.
- WABON — RN License requirements (licensed in another US state) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WABON — Nurse license fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WABON — RN and LPN Multistate License information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]