Returning to nursing in Washington

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified 2026-06-04

The Washington RN reinstatement fee is $258, plus any back renewal fees. What else your return takes depends on how long the license has been lapsed: short lapses are paperwork and CE, long ones can add a refresher course.

What your lapse length means in Washington

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Washington: $50). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Washington: $258) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Washington: $258) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Refresher course rules in Washington

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Expired more than 3 years without an active license in another US state or Canada: a board-approved refresher program is required. With an active license elsewhere, the refresher is waived.
What it takes: The RN refresher curriculum runs 40 core theory hours plus 40 specialty theory hours plus 160 clinical hours per WAC 246-840-566, with part of the clinical allowed via simulation.
Re-examination: Washington's published pathway is the refresher, not re-examination, for expired licenses.

Source: Washington State Board of Nursing and WAC 246-840-566, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Washington

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.
2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.
3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.
4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.
5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).
6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Start at the source: Washington State Board of Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Washington reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Washington?: The Washington RN reinstatement fee is $258, plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Washington State Board of Nursing before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Washington nursing license?: Expired more than 3 years without an active license in another US state or Canada: a board-approved refresher program is required. With an active license elsewhere, the refresher is waived. The RN refresher curriculum runs 40 core theory hours plus 40 specialty theory hours plus 160 clinical hours per WAC 246-840-566, with part of the clinical allowed via simulation.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Washington license back?: Washington's published pathway is the refresher, not re-examination, for expired licenses.
Is there a grace period after my Washington license expires?: Washington's published rule: Late renewal available up to 1 year from expiration with a $50 late fee; practicing on an expired license is prohibited. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Washington license reinstatement take?: Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Washington State Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Inactive vs lapsed: which path costs less

CE requirements for returning nurses

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What your lapse length means in Washington

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Washington: $50). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Washington: $258) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Washington: $258) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Refresher course rules in Washington

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Expired more than 3 years without an active license in another US state or Canada: a board-approved refresher program is required. With an active license elsewhere, the refresher is waived.
What it takes: The RN refresher curriculum runs 40 core theory hours plus 40 specialty theory hours plus 160 clinical hours per WAC 246-840-566, with part of the clinical allowed via simulation.
Re-examination: Washington's published pathway is the refresher, not re-examination, for expired licenses.

Source: Washington State Board of Nursing and WAC 246-840-566, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Washington

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.

2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.

3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.

4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.

5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).

6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Washington reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Washington?

The Washington RN reinstatement fee is $258, plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Washington State Board of Nursing before applying.

Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Washington nursing license?

Expired more than 3 years without an active license in another US state or Canada: a board-approved refresher program is required. With an active license elsewhere, the refresher is waived. The RN refresher curriculum runs 40 core theory hours plus 40 specialty theory hours plus 160 clinical hours per WAC 246-840-566, with part of the clinical allowed via simulation.

Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Washington license back?

Washington's published pathway is the refresher, not re-examination, for expired licenses.

Is there a grace period after my Washington license expires?

Washington's published rule: Late renewal available up to 1 year from expiration with a $50 late fee; practicing on an expired license is prohibited. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.

How long does Washington license reinstatement take?

Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Washington State Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Returning to nursing in Washington

What your lapse length means in Washington

Refresher course rules in Washington

Steps to reinstate in Washington

Washington reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Washington nurses

Never let it lapse again

Returning to nursing in Washington

What your lapse length means in Washington

Refresher course rules in Washington

Steps to reinstate in Washington

Washington reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Washington nurses

Never let it lapse again