Nursing License Requirements in Washington, DC 2026
Washington, DC doesn’t participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so every nurse practicing in the District needs a DC-issued license regardless of where they first qualified. Both LPNs and RNs apply through the DC Health online portal, submit official transcripts and a criminal background check, and pass the NCLEX. The DC Board of Nursing reviews all applications and issues licenses.
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Washington, D, C issues nursing licenses independently of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses who hold compact state licenses cannot use them to practice in DC. A separate DC license is required. The DC Board of Nursing, which operates under DC Health, is the licensing authority for LPNs, RNs, and advanced practice nurses in the District.
Use the links below to jump to LPN requirements, RN requirements, renewal information, and DC Board of Nursing resources.
- LPN license requirements in DC
- RN license requirements in DC
- Renewing a DC nursing license
- DC Board of Nursing resources
LPN License Requirements in DC
LPNs in DC are licensed by examination or endorsement. First-time applicants must complete a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX-PN. Nurses already licensed elsewhere apply by endorsement.
LPN Education
A candidate must complete a practical nursing program approved by the DC Board or by the licensing agency in another state. The Board evaluates out-of-state programs for substantial equivalency before approving eligibility to sit for the exam.
LPN Application and NCLEX-PN
DC no longer accepts paper applications. LPN candidates apply through the DC Health licensing portal at dchealth.dc.gov, where they create an account and submit required documents: a government-issued photo ID, a 2″ x 2″ passport-style photo, and official transcripts. If the final transcript isn’t available yet, a letter from a program administrator is accepted to begin processing, but an official transcript is required before the license is issued. A DC Health-approved criminal background check is required before licensure.
Candidates who meet requirements are issued a practice letter within five business days. The letter is valid for up to 90 days and permits supervised practice under the supervision of a licensed RN. It isn’t issued to any candidate who has previously attempted the NCLEX-PN, and it doesn’t cover practice in certain settings, including dialysis centers and correctional institutions.
The NCLEX-PN is registered separately through Pearson VUE at pearsonvue.com/nclex. The registration fee is $200. After paying, candidates receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) that opens a 90-day testing window. Testing is available at any Pearson VUE center in the country. The Board expects LPN candidates to pass within one year of program completion. Candidates who don’t will need to complete the NCLEX review before reapplying.
If a retake is needed, candidates submit a re-examination application and register again with Pearson VUE. Diagnostic feedback is provided after a failed attempt, and candidates can schedule a retake 45 days later.
International LPNs applying by examination must provide a CES (Credentials Evaluation Service) report from CGFNS, sent directly to the Board. English proficiency scores are also required unless English was the sole language of instruction.
LPN License by Endorsement
LPNs licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction can apply by endorsement without retaking the NCLEX, provided they originally passed the NCLEX-PN or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE). The Board requires license verification from the state where the license was originally issued. If the nurse no longer holds a license in that state, verification from the current state is also required. License verification can be submitted through NURSYS if the issuing state participates in that system, or the issuing Board can email verification directly to the DC Board.
Candidates outside the DC area should submit fingerprints to the FBI and include the receipt as evidence of completing the background check. A temporary permit may be issued while the application is pending. DC Health sets application fees, which are subject to change. Verify current fees at dchealth.dc.gov before submitting.
RN License Requirements in Washington, DC
RN licensure in DC follows the same two pathways: examination for first-time applicants and endorsement for nurses already licensed elsewhere. Both require a board-approved program and a criminal background check.
RN Education Requirements
RN licensure requires completing a nursing program approved by the DC Board or by the licensing agency in another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province. Programs must meet DC’s standards for content and clinical training to qualify. There are currently seven approved RN programs in DC.
RN Application and NCLEX-RN
RN candidates apply through the DC Health licensing portal. Required documents include a government-issued photo ID, a 2″ x 2″ passport-style photo, and official transcripts submitted directly by the program to the Board. Electronic transcript submission is accepted. Candidates who completed an accelerated or second-degree BSN program must submit transcripts from all institutions attended. A DC Health-approved criminal background check is required.
Candidates who meet requirements receive a practice letter within five business days. The practice letter is valid for up to 90 days and requires supervised practice under the supervision of a licensed RN. It isn’t issued to any candidate who has previously attempted the NCLEX-RN, and certain practice settings are excluded. The Board expects candidates to take the NCLEX-RN within 90 days of applying, which is shorter than most states. Applications close after 90 days. Candidates have three years from the date they first became eligible (generally from graduation) to pass the exam.
The NCLEX-RN is registered separately through Pearson VUE. The registration fee is $200. After receiving an Authorization to Test, candidates can test at any Pearson VUE center nationwide. DC Health, subject to change, sets application fees for the Board. Verify current amounts at dchealth.dc.gov before submitting.
Out-of-State and International RNs
RNs currently licensed in another U.S. state or territory can apply by endorsement. The candidate must have originally passed the NCLEX-RN or its predecessor and hold a current license in the endorsing jurisdiction. License verification can be submitted through NURSYS or directly by the issuing Board. Candidates outside DC submit fingerprints to the FBI and provide the receipt as evidence of completing the background check. A temporary permit may be issued during processing.
Internationally educated RNs must obtain a CES credential evaluation through CGFNS before applying to the DC Board. English proficiency must be demonstrated by examination unless English was the sole language of instruction, or unless the nurse has since been licensed in the U.S. and meets the Board’s experience requirement. All documents not in English require translation by a qualified translator who attests to the accuracy of the translation.
Renewing a DC Nursing License
DC nursing licenses are renewed biennially. DC Health changed the renewal schedule in 2024: licenses issued on or after June 16, 2024, expire on the last day of the license holder’s birth month. Licenses issued before that date are subject to the prior biennial schedule per DC Health’s transition guidance. Check dchealth.dc.gov for your specific renewal date and deadline. The renewal period opens in mid-April each year.
RN renewal currently requires a $145 renewal fee plus a $50 criminal background check fee ($195 total), subject to change by DC Health. Late renewals incur an additional $85 fee. Verify LPN renewal fees at dchealth.dc.gov before submitting.
Continuing education is required at every renewal. RNs must complete 24 contact hours per renewal cycle, including at least three hours in public health and two hours in LGBTQ cultural competency. LPNs must complete 14 contact hours. CE activities must be approved by the DC Board or an accredited body such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Resources
District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health)
Certified Nurse Aide requirements in DC
Advanced Practice Nurse license requirements in DC
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington, D.C., a compact state?
No. DC is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Nurses who hold multistate licenses issued by compact states cannot use those licenses to practice in DC. A separate DC license, obtained by examination or endorsement, is required for anyone who wants to work in the District.
How long does it take to get a DC nursing license by endorsement?
Endorsement applications typically take several weeks to process after all required documents are received. Submitting a complete package, including NURSYS or direct board verification, background check results, and all required documents, reduces delays. A temporary permit may be issued while the application is pending.
What are the continuing education requirements for DC RN license renewal?
RNs must complete 24 contact hours per two-year renewal cycle. At least three hours must cover public health, and two must cover LGBTQ cultural competency. CE must be approved by the DC Board or an accredited body such as the ANCC. LPNs must complete 14 contact hours per cycle.
Can a DC nursing school graduate work before passing the NCLEX?
Yes, under limited conditions. The DC Board issues a practice letter to qualifying first-time applicants within five business days of receiving a complete application. The letter is valid for up to 90 days and requires supervised practice under the supervision of a licensed RN. It is not issued to candidates who have previously attempted the NCLEX.
What does DC nursing licensure cost?
Costs include a Board application fee (verify the current amount at dchealth.dc.gov before submitting), the NCLEX registration fee ($200 paid to Pearson VUE), and a DC Health-approved criminal background check. For renewal, RNs currently pay a $145 renewal fee plus a $50 criminal background check fee ($195 total). All DC Health fees are subject to change.
Key Takeaways
- DC is not a compact state — Every nurse practicing in the District needs a DC-issued license. Multistate NLC licenses from compact states are not valid for practice in DC.
- Applications are submitted online — DC no longer accepts paper applications. All candidates apply through the DC Health licensing portal at dchealth.dc.gov.
- Practice letters allow supervised work before the NCLEX. Qualifying first-time applicants can receive a 90-day practice letter to work under RN supervision while waiting to sit for the exam.
- Renewal is biennial, with required CE topics — RNs complete 24 CE hours per cycle, including the required topics. LPNs complete 14 hours. Licenses issued after June 2024 follow a birth-month expiration schedule.
- International nurses need a CGFNS — CES credential evaluation, which is required before the DC Board will process an application from a nurse educated outside the U.S. or Canada.
Find DC-approved nursing programs and application resources for LPN and RN candidates in the District.