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How to look up and verify a nursing license in Washington

Verifying a nursing license in Washington (WA) takes two trusted sources: Nursys and the state board, the WABON. Here is how, and what the result tells you.

How do I verify a nursing license in Washington?

Look the license up on Nursys QuickConfirm, the national verification system, and confirm details with the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON). Because Washington is a compact state, a Washington license can be single-state or multistate — Nursys shows which, and that difference decides whether you can practice in other states.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

What Nursys shows

Nursys QuickConfirm reports the license type (single-state or multistate), current status, and expiration for participating boards. It is the fastest way to confirm whether a license carries compact privilege.

Checking with the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON)

For anything Nursys does not show — or to confirm official requirements — go to the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON). The board is the authority on Washington licensure; we do not make licensure determinations.

Could a Washington license be multistate?

Only if it was issued or upgraded on or after January 31, 2024 — the date the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) began issuing multistate licenses to Washington residents. A license issued before then was single-state when granted, so a nurse holding an older Washington license who has never upgraded will still verify as single-state no matter how long they have been licensed here.

Washington is one of the jurisdictions that rolled out in two stages: nurses visiting on another state’s multistate license could practice here from July 24, 2023, months before Washington residents could obtain one. If you have seen Washington described as joining on the earlier date, that is why — but the later date is the one that governs your own license.

Beyond Nursys, Washington publishes its own primary-source lookup: Washington DOH Provider Credential Search. Where the two disagree, the issuing board controls.

What trips people up in Washington: Washington splits by LICENSE TYPE rather than credential: a Washington single-state license is verified through the DOH Provider Credential Search, while a multistate license issued by another state is verified through Nursys. Note the board will not verify a credential that is pending, closed, or holding only a temporary practice permit — so a genuinely new hire on a temporary permit will not return a verification, which is a timing problem rather than a red flag.

RN, LPN/LVN, and APRN

Verification works the same for RN and LPN/VN licenses. APRN authority is separate and verified per state — see APRN and the compact.

What your result means

Nursys and the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) tell you what a license is. They do not tell you what it lets you do in another state — that is a compact question.

Covered by Nursys for participating boards.

2. What does the verification show?

Pick a result and two jurisdictions to see what it means.

This explains what a verification result means for practicing across state lines. It does not verify a license and does not decide eligibility — the board of nursing does both, and this tool points you at the right one.

What usually comes next

Next-step checklist

  • Look the license up on Nursys QuickConfirm (nursys.com).
  • Note whether it reads single-state or multistate.
  • Confirm anything unclear with the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON).
  • If it is multistate, use the checker to see where you can practice.

Frequently asked questions

Use Nursys QuickConfirm, which shows license status, type, and expiration for Washington, or check directly with the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON). We do not store or look up individual license records.

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