PDFWAC 246-840-090
Licensure for nurses by interstate endorsement.
Registered nurse and practical nurse applicants for interstate endorsement may be issued a license without examination provided the applicant meets the following requirements:
(1) The applicant graduated and holds a degree from:
(a) A state board-approved program preparing candidates for licensure as a nurse, which substantially meets requirements for nursing education approved in Washington state, as determined by the board; or
(b) A nursing program that is equivalent to board-approved nursing education in Washington state at the time of graduation as determined by the board.
(2) The applicant holds a current active nursing license in another state or territory, or holds an inactive or expired license in another state or territory and successfully completes a board-approved refresher course.
(a) An applicant whose license was inactive or expired must be issued a limited education authorization by the board to enroll in the clinical portion of the refresher course.
(b) The limited education authorization is valid only while working under the direct supervision of a preceptor and is not valid for employment as a registered nurse.
(3) The applicant was originally licensed to practice as a nurse in another state or territory after passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
(4) An applicant graduating from a nursing program outside the U.S. shall demonstrate English proficiency by:
(a) Passing a board-approved English proficiency test if the nursing education is not in one of the following countries: Canada (except for Quebec), United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands; or
(b) Completing 1,000 hours of employment as a licensed nurse in another state. The 1,000 hours of employment must be in the same licensed role as the nurse is applying for licensure in Washington state. Proof of employment must be submitted to the board; or
(c) Providing evidence directly from the program of earning a high school diploma or college degree from a United States institution.
(5) For RNs: If the applicant is a graduate of a nontraditional nursing education program and:
(a) Was licensed as a practical/vocational nurse prior to licensure as a registered nurse, the applicant shall meet the requirements defined in WAC 246-840-048.
(b) Was not licensed as a practical/vocational nurse prior to licensure as a registered nurse, the applicant shall submit evidence of at least 1,000 hours of practice as a registered nurse without discipline of the registered nurse license by any other state or territory.
(6) All applicants must submit the following documents:
(a) A completed licensure application with the required fee as defined in WAC 246-840-990.
(b) An official transcript sent directly from the applicant's nursing education program to the board if the education cannot be verified from the original board of nursing, or board-approved evaluation agency.
(i) The transcript must contain adequate documentation demonstrating that the applicant graduated from an approved nursing program or successfully completed the prelicensure portion of an approved graduate-entry registered nursing program.
(ii) The transcripts must include course names and credits accepted from other programs.
(c) Verification of an original registered or practical nurse license from the state or territory of original licensure. The verification must identify that issuance of the original licensure included passing the NCLEX.
(d) For an applicant educated outside the United States and in territories or countries not listed in subsection (4)(a) of this section, successful results of a board-approved English proficiency exam, or, evidence of 1,000 hours worked as a nurse.
(e) For RNs: If the applicant is a graduate of a nontraditional program in nursing and:
(i) Was licensed as a practical/vocational nurse prior to licensure as a registered nurse, the applicant shall submit the requirements outlined in WAC 246-840-048.
(ii) Was not licensed as a practical/vocational nurse prior to licensure as a registered nurse, the applicant shall submit documentation of at least 1,000 hours of practice as a registered nurse without discipline of the registered nurse license by any other state or territory.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.010, 18.79.110, and 18.80.020. WSR 24-10-063, § 246-840-090, filed 4/26/24, effective 5/27/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110, 18.88A.060 and 2020 c 76. WSR 21-04-016, § 246-840-090, filed 1/22/21, effective 2/22/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.010, 18.79.110, 18.79.150, 18.79.190, and 18.79.240. WSR 16-17-082, § 246-840-090, filed 8/17/16, effective 9/17/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110. WSR 08-11-019, § 246-840-090, filed 5/12/08, effective 6/12/08; WSR 99-13-086, § 246-840-090, filed 6/14/99, effective 7/15/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. WSR 98-05-060, § 246-840-090, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW. WSR 97-13-100, § 246-840-090, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.]