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Nurse License Guide

Washington Nursing License Lookup

Verify any Washington (WA) registered nurse license for free. Below is the official Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission lookup tool plus a step-by-step guide on how to use it.

NLC Compact State

Clinically reviewed by Sarah Johnson, MSN, RN

Based on 6 official sources • Last verified: February 2026

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Official Washington License Verification

Hosted by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. Free, public, and updated in real time.

Open Washington License Lookup

Official source: Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission

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What you'll need to look up a Washington nurse license

  • The nurse's first and last name (exactly as registered), OR
  • The nurse's license number
  • No login or account required

How to look up a nurse license in Washington

  1. 1

    Visit the Washington Board of Nursing license verification tool (link above).

  2. 2

    Enter the nurse's first and last name exactly as registered, or enter the license number if you have it.

  3. 3

    Submit the search and review the results list.

  4. 4

    Click into the matching record to see license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions.

What each license status means

Status Meaning
Active Licensed and currently eligible to practice.
Inactive Not currently practicing, but the license can be reactivated.
Lapsed / Expired License was not renewed on time; nurse cannot practice until renewed.
Suspended Disciplinary action in place; practice is temporarily prohibited.
Revoked License was permanently terminated by the state board.

Looking up a multistate compact license?

Washington is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state. If the nurse holds a multistate license issued by Washington, you can also verify it through Nursys, the national database operated by NCSBN. Nursys is useful if you're unsure which state issued the primary license.

Open Nursys QuickConfirm

Checking for disciplinary actions

The Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission lookup tool shows any disciplinary actions (suspensions, revocations, probation, consent orders) as part of the public record. If you need more detail on a specific disciplinary case, most state boards publish formal action documents on their enforcement page.

Visit the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission website →

Washington License Lookup FAQs

How do I look up a nurse license in Washington?
Use the official Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission license verification tool. Enter the nurse's full name (or license number if you have it) and the tool will show current license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions. Results are free and updated in real time from the state board's records.
Is Washington nursing license lookup free?
Yes. The Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission provides free public license verification. There is no cost to search, and you do not need to create an account for a basic lookup.
What does each license status mean?
Active means the nurse is licensed and in good standing. Inactive means the license is not currently in use but may be reactivated. Lapsed or Expired means the license was not renewed on time. Suspended or Revoked means disciplinary action was taken by the board and the nurse cannot legally practice.
Can I use Washington license lookup results for hiring decisions?
No. Information from this page and from state board lookup tools is for general reference only. It is not a consumer report and cannot be used to make employment, tenant, credit, or insurance decisions. Employers who need FCRA-compliant background checks should use a licensed consumer reporting agency.
How current is the license information in Washington?
The Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission maintains the authoritative record and typically updates license status within 24-48 hours of any change. Nursys (NCSBN's national database) also pulls from this state board, so data you see on Nursys may lag the state board by up to two business days.
Can I look up a multistate (compact) license from Washington?
Yes. Washington is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so nurses holding a multistate license issued here can practice in other NLC member states. The Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission lookup tool will indicate whether the license is single-state or multistate.