Licensing Agency

Washington issues nursing licenses through the State Nursing Commission and enforces education clinical training and continuing competence requirements. Employers commonly require state licensure national certification for specialty roles and documented competency for advanced procedures. Advanced practice nurses must hold graduate degrees national certification and state recognition for prescriptive authority.

Continuing Education

Renewal requires continuing education attestation and documentation of continuing competence. Nurses typically follow national certification maintenance and state continuing education expectations. Institutions provide structured continuing education simulation and quality improvement programs to support maintenance of competence.

Sources: Washington State Nursing Commission | National Council of State Boards of Nursing