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How to renew your Washington RN license

Last verified: · Trust editorial

Washington RN licenses renew every year on your birthday — $138 single-state, $158 multistate. Each renewal period requires 8 hours of continuing education, including 2 hours of health equity training, plus 96 active practice hours. Nothing carries over between years.

Renewal checklist
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How to renew your Washington RN license

Washington State Board of Nursing · gettrustapp.com/renew/washington/rn-license
Washington RN licenses renew every year on your birthday — $138 single-state, $158 multistate. Each renewal period requires 8 hours of continuing education, including 2 hours of health equity training, plus 96 active practice hours. Nothing carries over between years.
At a glance
Cycle
ANNUAL — due on your birthday
Fee
$138 single-state · $158 multistate
Per year
8 CE hrs (2 = health equity) + 96 practice hrs
One-time
6-hr suicide prevention course from DOH model list
Portal
HELMS via SecureAccess Washington (SAW)
Compact
WA joined NLC July 2023 — MSL available if WA is primary residence
Steps
  1. Set up SAW well before your birthday
    SecureAccess Washington account creation is the classic last-minute failure. Do this early.
  2. Log into HELMS
    Access HELMS through your SAW account to begin renewal.
  3. Complete the demographic survey
    Renewal will not proceed without the annual demographic data submission.
  4. Attest to CE and practice hours
    8 CE hours (including 2 hours health equity) plus 96 active practice hours in the past renewal period.
  5. Pay the fee
    $138 single-state or $158 multistate.
  6. Save to Trust — clock restarts
    Store confirmation in Trust; a fresh 8 CE / 96 practice clock starts for next birthday.
Trust · Reviewed July 2026 · Verify current requirements at the board's official portal before renewing.
At a glance
Cycle
ANNUAL — due on your birthday
Fee
$138 single-state · $158 multistate
Per year
8 CE hrs (2 = health equity) + 96 practice hrs
One-time
6-hr suicide prevention course from DOH model list
Portal
HELMS via SecureAccess Washington (SAW)
Compact
WA joined NLC July 2023 — MSL available if WA is primary residence

Requirements

The old 45-CE-hour / 531-practice-hour 3-year model is retired.

8 CE hours annually, including 2 hours of health equity every renewal period. Free DOH-listed courses qualify.

96 active practice hours annually (retired-active: 8 CE + 24 practice hours).

One-time 6-hour suicide prevention training from the DOH model list — file the certificate somewhere findable forever.

Annual demographic data submission is required — renewal will not complete without it.

Attestation model; the board audits. Keep records.

How to renew, step by step

  1. 01
    Set up SAW well before your birthday
    SecureAccess Washington account creation is the classic last-minute failure. Do this early.
  2. 02
    Log into HELMS
    Access HELMS through your SAW account to begin renewal.
  3. 03
    Complete the demographic survey
    Renewal will not proceed without the annual demographic data submission.
  4. 04
    Attest to CE and practice hours
    8 CE hours (including 2 hours health equity) plus 96 active practice hours in the past renewal period.
  5. 05
    Pay the fee
    $138 single-state or $158 multistate.
  6. 06
    Save to Trust — clock restarts
    Store confirmation in Trust; a fresh 8 CE / 96 practice clock starts for next birthday.

If you're late

Expired <1 year: renew online, $188 total.

Expired >1 year: mail reactivation — $258 single-state / $278 multistate.

Expired >3 years without an active license elsewhere: board-approved refresher program required before reactivation.

Compact note: MSL renewal is $158 (WA must be primary residence); single-to-MSL upgrade is $203. Another state's MSL does not require WA renewal, but the demographic survey still applies for WA employers. Movers have 60 days to update their primary state of residence. RN/LPN only; the MSL works in 40+ compact states — not Oregon.

Frequently asked questions

Is renewal really annual?
Yes. Washington moved to annual birthday renewal with fresh CE and practice hours each period — the old 3-year, 45-CE / 531-hour model is retired.
What's the health equity requirement?
2 of the 8 CE hours must be health equity training, every renewal period. Free courses from the Department of Health's model list qualify.
Do CE hours carry over between renewal periods?
No. Each annual renewal period stands alone — unused CE hours above the 8-hour minimum do not roll forward to the next cycle, so plan CE around the birthday deadline.
Can I get a multistate license?
Yes, if Washington is your primary state of residence. Note that the multistate license does not cover Oregon (Oregon is not in the compact).

Last verified against Washington State Board of Nursing sources:

Sources — retrieved July 2026

Trust tracks this renewal for you.

Trust tracks your annual 8 CE / 96 practice hours and the one-time suicide prevention certificate — no more reconstructing a year of records at 11 p.m. on your birthday.

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