Nurse Practitioners · Washington · Continuing education
Washington Nurse Practitioner CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- ARNP30 contact hours every 2 years, including 4 h opioid prescribing & pain management (once), 6 h suicide prevention (once), 15 h pharmacology (NP/APRN), 2 h health equity; renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Washington ARNP CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- CE in each ARNP designation, contact hour at least 50 minutes; the same course counts once per cycle; hours may count for more than one certification when applicable
- Audits & records
- Written declaration at renewal; evidence of CE and advanced clinical practice hours submitted when requested.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementARNPs licensed to prescribe opioids: one-time CE on best practices in opioid prescribing, by the end of the first full CE reporting period after initial licensure; may count toward other required CE | 4 | once |
| Suicide preventionRequired of RN license holders (ARNPs hold an active RN license): suicide assessment, treatment and management, by the end of the first full year of licensure | 6 | once |
| Pharmacology (NP/APRN)ARNPs with prescriptive authority: pharmacotherapeutics related to scope of practice, in addition to the 30 hours | 15 | every renewal |
| Health equityRequired of RN license holders (ARNPs hold an active RN license); due from the 2026 renewal | 2 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Current certification from a Board-approved certifying body is required in addition to the hours (copy of recertification e-mailed to the Board); it does not replace the 30 hours.
Good to know. Two-year ARNP renewal; prescriptive authority renews with the license. RN license rules (8 CE hours, 96 practice hours yearly) apply separately. Title changes from ARNP to APRN on June 30, 2027. Chronic pain specialists have extra CE (WAC 246-840-493).
Source: nursing.wa.gov · WAC 246-840-360; WAC 246-840-361; WAC 246-840-450; WAC 246-840-451; WAC 246-840-4655 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
How many CE hours do nurse practitioners need in Washington?
30 contact hours every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for nurse practitioners in Washington?
CE in each ARNP designation, contact hour at least 50 minutes; the same course counts once per cycle; hours may count for more than one certification when applicable.
Which CE topics are mandatory for nurse practitioners in Washington?
Opioid prescribing & pain management — 4 h (once); Suicide prevention — 6 h (once); Pharmacology (NP/APRN) — 15 h (every renewal); Health equity — 2 h (every renewal).
How do I verify a nurse practitioner license in Washington?
Use the license lookup of the Washington State Board of Nursing (nursing.wa.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for nurse practitioners in Washington?
Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).