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All licensing and credentialing systems will be unavailable Tuesday, 10/07/2025, from 6:00 a.m. through 8:00 a.m. for system upgrades. If your license expires during this time, please renew early to avoid delays.

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) License

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First Set Up Your SAW Account

Before you apply, you must set up a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account and sign in to the Department of Health Online Application Portal. Information about setting up or logging into your SAW Account can be found on the Apply for a License main page.

 
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HELMS is the New Online Portal for Submitting ARNP License Applications

Please do not access the former DOH Online Renewal or Online Application Portal services within SAW, as they have been retired.

Before You Apply

To become an ARNP you must have an active Washington state RN license or an active RN multistate license (MSL) in another state, and meet ALL ARNP requirements.

If you already have an active Washington state ARNP license and want to add prescriptive authority to your license, see Prescriptive Authority below.

Application Requirements:

1. Proof of Active National Certification

You must request to have your national certification sent directly from your certifying body to us at WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov.

Note: If this is your first ARNP license, you must take your national certification exam.

NP Designation:
  • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center
  • National Certification Corporation
  • Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses
  • Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
CNM Designation:
  • American Midwifery Certification Board
CRNA Designation:
  • National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists
CNS Designation:
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center
  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses
  • Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation

See WAC 246-840-302 for more information.

2. Official Transcripts

All ARNP applications for initial licensure by examination or endorsement must have an official transcript, with degree and graduation date, submitted directly from the nursing education program to the WABON.

Electronic Transcripts

If your school uses one of the approved electronic transcript services below, please have them send your official transcripts to WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov.

  • Parchment
  • Student Clearing House

Please do not have official transcripts sent until you have completed your nursing education program, and your degree has been posted.

Paper Transcripts

If your school doesn't use an electronic transcript service, please request transcripts be mailed to the address below. Make sure your transcripts have your degree and graduation date posted.

Mail transcripts to:
WABON Licensing
111 Israel Road SE
Mail Stop 47864
Olympia, WA 98504

3. Supervised Clinical Practice Hours Under an Interim Permit (If Applicable)

If you graduated more than one year ago AND this is your first ARNP license (you have not practiced as an ARNP in another state), you must complete the following:

  • Apply for a license and indicate that you have not yet practiced as an ARNP
  • Complete the Supervised Clinical Practice Agreement (PDF) form and submit to WABON for approval (upload to your online application)
  • Obtain an ARNP interim permit with the Washington State Board of Nursing to complete 125 hours of supervised clinical practice for each year following graduation, not to exceed 1,000 hours

You'll Need an Underlying RN License

You can apply online for your WA state RN License at the same time as your ARNP license, or you may indicate in your ARNP application that you hold an active RN MSL in another state.

Applying for Prescriptive Authority?

Requirements:

  • If you graduated less than 2 years from the date of the application, your official transcripts must include a course in advanced pharmacology completed within the last 2 years
  • If you graduated more than 2 years before the date of application, you must submit proof of 30 hours of pharmacology training completed in the last 2 years
  • Please document your hours using the Pharmacology Continuing Education Report form (PDF)

ARNP Licensure Requirements & Fees — Washington State

(Including Prescriptive Authority)
License Status
Requirements
Continuing Competency / Practice Hours
Prescriptive Authority Requirements
Fees

(Per Specialty / Cycle)

Active
  • Active WA RN license or MSL RN in another state
  • Active national certification
  • Attestation via HELMS
  • 30 contact hours CE
  • 15 pharmacology hours (if ARNP holds prescriptive authority)
Optional. New applicant requires:
30 advance pharmacology hours (didactic + clinical; pharmacodynamics, etc.) within last 2 years–or via recent education 		$130
renewal per designation
Inactive
  • Must hold active ARNP in good standing to request inactive
  • To return to active: provide updated national certification, 30 CEs for each designation, and active WA RN license or MSL RN in another state
Same as Active upon reactivation Must meet the same prescriptive authority requirements as Active, if requesting to return to active $40
(annual inactive renewal fee)
Expired
≤ 2 years expired:
  • Active WA RN license or MSL RN in another state
  • 30 CEs for each designation
  • Proof of active national certification
Same as Active upon reactivation Must complete prescriptive authority requirements if applying or renewing prescriptive authority $180
reactivation fee
Additional Details on Prescriptive Authority
Application Requirements
To obtain prescriptive authority, an ARNP must:
  • Hold an active Washington ARNP license without sanctions
  • Provide documentation of 30 contact hours in advanced pharmacology (didactic + clinical, covering pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacotherapeutics, and pharmacological management in the scope of practice)
  • Pharmacology training must be completed within 2 years prior to application, unless the ARNP is a recent graduate from an advanced nursing education program that meets specific criteria
  • A pharmacology exemption may be submitted if an ARNP is applying by endorsement to WA and has held equivalent independent prescriptive authority in another state for at least 250 hours and provides the requirements within WAC 246-840-410(7)
  • If lacking adequate pharmacology training, the ARNP must additionally complete 150 hours of supervised advanced clinical practice under an ARNP with prescriptive authority, a physician, or equivalent
Renewal Requirements
Prescriptive authority must be renewed concurrently with the ARNP license. Renewal requirements include:
  • Completing 15 additional contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics CE that are specific to the ARNP's scope of practice–on top of the standard 30 CE hours required for ARNP renewal
Scope and Restrictions
ARNPs authorized to prescribe:
  • Cannot prescribe Schedule I controlled substances. For controlled substances allowed, the ARNP must be registered with the DEA. Prescription must include the provider’s initials (ARNP or NP).
Summary Highlights
  • Active ARNP: Biennial renewal; requires proof of active national certification, and CE. Prescriptive authority is optional—but requires additional pharmacy CE and potentially supervised practice.
  • Inactive / Expired: Same requirements as Active upon reactivation, plus prescriptive authority steps if applying.
  • Retired Active: Not applicable for ARNPs.
  • Prescriptive authority can significantly extend scope of practice but comes with clearly defined educational and regulatory obligations.
Compare Single-State or Multistate License Fees

Application Instructions Based on Type of ARNP License:

ARNP With an Active RN MSL from Another State

If you are an ARNP with an active RN multistate license (MSL) from another state, please apply online.

  1. Indicate in the online application that you hold an active RN MSL in another state and will not be applying for a Washington state RN
  2. Make sure you meet all requirements
  3. Request supporting documents (official transcripts and national certification) be sent to WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov
  4. Attach required forms and documents to your online application
    • Any “yes” responses to personal data questions must have supporting documents, such as court documents and written statements

We will email you if we need anything or have issues with your application.

ARNP With an Active/Pending Washington State RN License

  1. Make sure you meet all requirements
  2. Request supporting documents (official transcripts and national certification) be sent to WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov
  3. Complete your forms and upload to the HELMS Portal when applying online
  4. Complete an online application
  5. Pay the application fee online
  6. Attach required forms and documents
    • Any “yes” responses to personal data questions must have supporting documents, such as court documents and written statements
  7. Submit your application online

We will email you if we need anything or have issues with your application.

How to Apply for Your License Online

To apply for a license, you'll need to complete an online application through the HELMS Portal.

To Apply for Your License Online, You Will Need:

  • All your supporting documents and payment method are ready, so your application is complete to avoid delays
  • SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account
  • Department of Health (DOH) online application portal called Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) added to your SAW account

Visit the HELMS Information page for step-by-step instructions on applying online.

Submitting Forms and Documents

  • You have 14 days after you submit your application to upload your documents online.
  • After 14 days you won’t be able to access your application though SAW.
  • If you have more documents to submit after 14 days, please email them to WABONlicensing@doh.wa.gov

ARNP Adding Prescriptive Authority

If you already have an active Washington state ARNP license and want to add prescriptive authority submit the following form:

There is no fee to add prescriptive authority to an already active Washington state ARNP license.

Mail prescriptive authority forms to:

WABON Licensing
111 Israel Road SE
Mail Stop 47864
Olympia, WA 98504

Other Forms

These forms may or may not apply to your situation. We will contact you if we need any of these forms. 

More Information

 

SecureAccess Washington (SAW) Account

We use SecureAccess Washington (SAW) to protect your personal information. To apply, renew, or manage your license online you need to either create or login to a SAW account.

 

Questions?

If you have trouble with the DOH HSQA Online Services or online application process, you can contact us during business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Phone: 360-236-4703

Email: nursing@doh.wa.gov

Contact Us

111 Israel Road SE
PO Box 47864
Olympia, WA 98504
360-236-4703

We Value Your Feedback

While the Board of Nursing is a regulatory board, we value a human-centered approach to our processes and continue to strive to improve our services. We appreciate hearing about your experience and any suggestions or solutions that you may have. Thank you for your time to provide input; feedback may be done anonymously, or you may request a response.

Link to Survey