State of Washington
Washington.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 1 year
8
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
2
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Washington requires registered nurses to complete 8 contact hours of continuing education every 1 year to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
Nursing in Washington.
Washington has approximately 90,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 7.8 million. Seattle is home to major academic centers including UW Medicine and Swedish Medical Center, while MultiCare and Providence operate facilities throughout the state. Washington's strong nurse practice act provides broad scope for APRNs.
Washington requires 8 contact hours of continuing education every year (or equivalent over a longer period). Washington mandates suicide prevention training for certain nurses. The state's requirements ensure ongoing competency while allowing flexibility in course selection.
Common practice settings
Seattle Health Systems
UW Medicine, Swedish, and Virginia Mason provide academic and specialty care opportunities.
Tech Industry Clinics
Major tech companies in the Seattle area operate employee health clinics.
Rural Eastern WA
Communities east of the Cascades face healthcare shortages and access challenges.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 8 contact hours annually.
02
Include suicide prevention training if required for your role.
03
Use nationally accredited providers.
04
Consider telehealth CE for serving rural populations.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Washington
Washington is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses who may work in border areas near Idaho or Oregon.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
8
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 6h |
Health Equity Required each renewal (new 2024) | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial licensure
Notes
- Annual renewal with low hour requirement.
- 6 hours one-time suicide prevention required.
- 2 hours health equity required each renewal (new 2024).
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
8
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 6h |
Health Equity Required each renewal (new 2024) | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial licensure
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
8
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 6h |
Health Equity Required each renewal (new 2024) | 2h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 4h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
- 2 hours health equity required each renewal (new 2024).
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
8
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 6h |
Health Equity Required each renewal (new 2024) | 2h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 4h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
- 2 hours health equity required each renewal (new 2024).
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
8
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 6h |
Health Equity Required each renewal (new 2024) | 2h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 4h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
- 2 hours health equity required each renewal (new 2024).
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
8
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 6h |
Health Equity Required each renewal (new 2024) | 2h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 4h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
- 2 hours health equity required each renewal (new 2024).
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
8
every 1 year
Renewal cycle
1
year
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Suicide Prevention One-time requirement | 6h |
Health Equity Required each renewal (new 2024) | 2h |
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 4h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Annual renewal.
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
- 2 hours health equity required each renewal (new 2024).
Additional requirements
In context. Washington requires 8 contact hours every 1 year for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Oregon has no general CE requirement, while Idaho has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Washington allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
Verify before relying on this
Nearby states