Nurses · Washington · Continuing education
Washington Nursing CE Requirements & License Renewal (2026)
01 In short
- RN8 hours every year, including 6 h suicide prevention (once), 2 h health equity; renewal by your birthday.
- LPN8 hours every year, including 6 h suicide prevention (once), 2 h health equity; renewal by your birthday.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Washington RN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 8hours
- Renewal cycle
- 1 year
- Deadline
- Birthday
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By your birthday
- Accepted credit
- Continuing education related to nursing practice; formal CEU/CNE accreditation is not required; hours from other states or countries count
- Carryover
- Not allowed.
- New licensees
- Requirements start with the first full renewal date after licensure (new graduates and endorsement). New licensees have until their 2nd renewal to complete the health equity hours.
- Audits & records
- No documentation is sent at renewal; the Board recommends keeping CE and practice-hour records at least 2 years and may request them in an investigation.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Suicide preventionOne-time training in suicide assessment, treatment and management from a qualified program | 6 | once |
| Health equityCounts toward the 8 hours; first due by the 2026 renewal; health equity courses include implicit bias training | 2 | every renewal |
Good to know. Annual renewal on the birthday. Besides 8 CE hours, 96 hours of nursing practice per year are required (24 hours for retired active status). Demographic data must be submitted in the renewal portal.
Source: nursing.wa.gov · WAC 246-840-220; WAC 246-840-222 · checked Oct 28, 2026
Washington LPN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 8hours
- Renewal cycle
- 1 year
- Deadline
- Birthday
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By your birthday
- Accepted credit
- Continuing education related to nursing practice; formal CEU/CNE accreditation is not required; hours from other states or countries count
- Carryover
- Not allowed.
- New licensees
- Requirements start with the first full renewal date after licensure (new graduates and endorsement). New licensees have until their 2nd renewal to complete the health equity hours.
- Audits & records
- No documentation is sent at renewal; the Board recommends keeping CE and practice-hour records at least 2 years and may request them in an investigation.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Suicide preventionOne-time training in suicide assessment, treatment and management from a qualified program | 6 | once |
| Health equityCounts toward the 8 hours; first due by the 2026 renewal; health equity courses include implicit bias training | 2 | every renewal |
Good to know. Annual renewal on the birthday. Besides 8 CE hours, 96 hours of nursing practice per year are required (24 hours for retired active status). Demographic data must be submitted in the renewal portal.
Source: nursing.wa.gov · WAC 246-840-220; WAC 246-840-222 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Washington
05 Questions
How do I verify a nurse 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.
How many CE hours do nurses need in Washington?
RN: 8 hours every year. LPN: 8 hours every year.
Which CE courses count for nurses in Washington?
RN: Continuing education related to nursing practice; formal CEU/CNE accreditation is not required; hours from other states or countries count. LPN: Continuing education related to nursing practice; formal CEU/CNE accreditation is not required; hours from other states or countries count.
When is the renewal deadline for nurses in Washington?
RN: Licenses renew by your birthday (1 year cycle). LPN: Licenses renew by your birthday (1 year cycle).
How do nurses report CE in Washington?
RN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit. LPN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.