Licensing authority
District of Columbia Board of Nursing
Conditions & source context
Board identity only; current contact details use the DC Board page rather than NCSBN’s older street address.
Nursing licensure · NLC status table · EMS licensure
DC
District of Columbia
Does this state recognize my multistate license?
Full license requiredDC
No — you need a state license
District of Columbia is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license does not cover practice here. You need a District of Columbia license, usually by endorsement.
Supporting evidence and conditions
District of Columbia is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license does not cover practice here. You need a District of Columbia license, usually by endorsement.
NCSBN · ncsbn.org · verified 15 Oct 2026
- Law enacted
- No not enacted
- In force
- No not in force
- Issuing multistate licenses
- No not issuing multistate licenses
Each answer links to the state rule it comes from. Open “Source quotation” for the exact wording.
Licensing authority
Board contacts, official applications and governing rules.
Authority website
Source quotation
About the Board of Nursing The Board of Nursing, a division within the DC Department of Health, Health Systems & Preparedness Administration (HSPA), is responsible for the licensure and regulation of: Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) (i.e., nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners) Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) Nursing Assistive Personnel (NAPs) (i.e., dialysis techs (DTs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs ), and home health aides (HHAs) Registered Nurses (RNs) The Board also approves and regulates the education and training programs of the health care providers listed above.
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Licensing portal
Conditions & source context
Exact Board-published new-application link. No login or application submitted; portal availability is not asserted.
Contact
- Phone
- 1 (877) 672-2174
- Address
- 2201 Shannon Place, SE, 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20020
- Hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:15 am–4:45 pm, except holidays
Source quotation
Board of Nursing Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:15 am - 4:45 pm (except holidays) Contact: Email : [email protected] Phone : 1 (877) 672-2174 DC Health Processing Center: Location: DC Health 2201 Shannon Place, SE, 1st Floor Washington, DC 20020 Walk Up Services: Monday and Tuesday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Wednesday 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Thursday and Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Governing law
Title 17 DCMR chapters 54 (RN) and 55 (LPN)
Conditions & source context
April 2026 Board reference guide identifies the applicable chapters; this is a citation, not a full current-rule sweep.
Source quotation
5400- Registered Nurse (RN) 5500- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
License requirements
License types, exams, expiration dates and multistate eligibility.
Licence types
RN
- State title
- Registered Nurse
LPN
- State title
- Licensed Practical Nurse
Source quotation
About the Board of Nursing The Board of Nursing, a division within the DC Department of Health, Health Systems & Preparedness Administration (HSPA), is responsible for the licensure and regulation of: Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) (i.e., nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners) Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) Nursing Assistive Personnel (NAPs) (i.e., dialysis techs (DTs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs ), and home health aides (HHAs) Registered Nurses (RNs) The Board also approves and regulates the education and training programs of the health care providers listed above.
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Licence term
- Years
- 2
- Expires on
- Your birth month
- Birth year parity
- Renewal year matches odd/even birth year
Conditions & source context
Credentials issued on or after June16,2024 expire on the last day of the birth month; renewing licenses transition beginning September2024. The expiration shown on the individual credential governs.
Source quotation
Change to the Term of License, Certificate and Registration Effective Date June 16, 2024 DC Health is transitioning all professional licenses, certificates, and registrations to a birth-month renewal cycle. All credentials issued on or after June 16, 2024, will expire on the last day of the holder's birth month. This will also apply to renewing licensees beginning September 2024. Your new expiration date will always fall on the last day of your birth month. If your birthday is in an odd year, your future renewals will occur in odd years (and the same for even years). Applies to all new and renewal applicants.
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
NCLEX required to get licensed
Yes
Conditions & source context
RN examination checklist. The separately captured LPN examination checklist also requires NCLEX authorization to test; historical exam/endorsement alternatives are separate routes.
Source quotation
Register and pay for the NCLEX - www.pearsonvue.com/nclex You must pay the $200.00 examination- fee
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Working across state lines
Compact membership, license privileges and application requirements.
NLC law enacted
- Status
- No
Conditions & source context
NCSBN lists District of Columbia among the jurisdictions that have not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
NLC law in force
- Status
- No
Conditions & source context
NCSBN lists District of Columbia among the jurisdictions that have not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
Issuing multistate licences
- Status
- No
Conditions & source context
NCSBN lists District of Columbia among the jurisdictions that have not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
Can I take a contract on privilege alone
No — you need a state license
Conditions & source context
District of Columbia is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license does not cover practice here. You need a District of Columbia license, usually by endorsement.
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
Apply from another state
Eligibility, application fees, background checks and temporary licenses.
Endorsement available
Yes
Conditions & source context
Current Board page gives both RN and LPN endorsement application routes.
Source quotation
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE (LPN) FIRST TIME LPN APPLICANT?- Apply by Exam LPN Application Documents CURRENTLY HAVE AN LPN ACTIVE LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE? Apply by Endorsement LPN Application Documents LPN LICENSE EXPIRED? Apply for Reinstatement LPN Application Documents REGISTERED NURSE (RN) FIRST TIME RN APPLICANT?- Apply by Exam RN Exam Checklist CURRENTLY HAVE AN ACTIVE RN LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE? - Apply by Endorsement or Multi-State RN Endorsement Checklist RN LICENSE EXPIRED? - Apply by Reinstatement RN Reactivation/Reinstatement Checklist
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
What it is called
RN or LPN licensure by endorsement
Conditions & source context
The Board’s August 4, 2025 notice describes an additional expedited endorsement route for qualifying multistate holders. It supplies no guaranteed processing time.
Source quotation
Enhanced RN and LPN Endorsement Pathway via Multi-State Licensure
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Where to apply
Conditions & source context
Use the Board-published new-application route; older checklists publish a previous Salesforce entry URL.
What you must provide
Active RN or LPN license
- Detail
- Apply under the matching endorsement checklist. RN applicants must have a qualifying nursing education/examination history and remain in good standing in all licensing jurisdictions.
Identity and supporting documents
- Detail
- Government-issued photo ID, passport-style photo, name-change evidence when applicable and Social Security affidavit when needed.
License verification
- Detail
- Request official verification from the original state; if expired, include a current-state verification. Participating boards use Nursys; other boards send verification directly.
Application payment and fingerprints
- Detail
- Pay the published application/CBC charge and follow the Fieldprint email instructions.
Conditions & source context
RN checklist Rev.9/22 remains linked by the current Board page. LPN requirements were separately reviewed in its Rev.5/21 checklist; RN education conditions are not imposed on LPN applicants.
Source quotation
5405.1 Except as provided otherwise in this section, an applicant shall be eligible for licensure by endorsement if the applicant is currently licensed as a registered nurse under the laws of a state or territory of the United States and the following applies: (a) The applicant's original licensure in the state or territory was based on their completion of an educational program that meets the requirements of § 5402.1 or § 5403.1, and the applicant's receipt of a passing score on the NCLEX-RN or the State Board Test Pool Examination for Nurses; i. Approved by a nursing board in the US or US territory with standards determined by the Board to be substantially equivalent to the standards in the District in accordance with Chapter 56 - national nursing accreditation and/or US Department of Education accreditation. ii. That the applicant has successfully completed a basic nursing education program in Canada except Quebec which was approved by a Canadian Provincial nursing board with standards determined to be substantially equivalent to the standards in the District in accordance with Chapter 56. (b) The applicant's licensure history shows that the applicant has continuously been in good standing in all jurisdictions where the applicant holds or has held a registered nursing license. Go to the online license site to apply: https://doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page During the online application process, be prepared to: Upload a copy of a US government or State issued photo ID such as a passport or driver's license. Upload a 2X2 Photo of head and neck, front-facing with a plain white background. Upload proof of name change- If the name on your application is different from the name on any of your supporting documents, proof of name change is required. Acceptable documents are marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order or spouse's death certificate. Upload the Social Security affidavit form if you do not have a social security number. (Located on the BON's page). Pay the application and criminal background check fee of $280.00 by Visa or MasterCard only. You must request or complete the remaining application requirements through the separate institutions indicated below. Criminal background check (CBC) Fieldprint- You will receive an email that includes the code and link to schedule your fingerprint appointment after you make the payment. Official verification from your original state of licensure. If it is expired, official verification is needed from both the original and a current state. If your current state is also your original licensure by examination, then that is the only verification required. To submit verification of your licensure status access NURSYS.COM. There is a $30.00 fee for this service. If your state does not participate in the NURSYS verification system (PA or MI), visit that state board of nursing's website and request that verification be emailed to the DC Board of Nursing. Our email address verifications.bon@dc.gov is on file with each non-participating state board of nursing. Non-NURSYS Participating Boards (California; Michigan; Pennsylvania)
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Application fee
- Amount
- 280
- Per
- application
- Non-refundable
- Yes
- Also payable
Nursys verification when applicable
- Amount
- 30
- Includes criminal background check
- Yes
Conditions & source context
Both currently linked RN and LPN checklists publish a combined $280 application/CBC charge; do not add CBC again. Nursys verification is a separate $30 charge. RN checklist Rev.9/22; LPN Rev.5/21. The eligibility warning says fees are non-refundable.
Source quotation
Pay the application and criminal background check fee of $280.00 by Visa or MasterCard only.
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Background check
- Required
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Vendor
- Fieldprint
- From out of state
- Scheduling instructions are emailed after application/CBC payment.
Conditions & source context
Endorsement applicants require fingerprints; renewing RN applicants instead use a name search. The combined application charge does not separately itemize an endorsement fingerprint fee.
Source quotation
Criminal background check (CBC) Fieldprint- You will receive an email that includes the code and link to schedule your fingerprint appointment after you make the payment.
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Nursys verification
- Required
- Yes
- Verification for endorsement
- Yes
- Fee
- 30
- Nonparticipating board route
- Request direct official Board verification when the issuing board does not participate.
Conditions & source context
The checklist contains an older nonparticipating-board list. Use the current Nursys participation directory rather than treating that old list as current.
Source quotation
Official verification from your original state of licensure. If it is expired, official verification is needed from both the original and a current state. If your current state is also your original licensure by examination, then that is the only verification required. To submit verification of your licensure status access NURSYS.COM. There is a $30.00 fee for this service. If your state does not participate in the NURSYS verification system (PA or MI), visit that state board of nursing's website and request that verification be emailed to the DC Board of Nursing. Our email address verifications.bon@dc.gov is on file with each non-participating state board of nursing. Non-NURSYS Participating Boards (California; Michigan; Pennsylvania)
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Renewal and education
Renewal dates, required education and reinstatement options.
Renewal interval (years)
2
Conditions & source context
The Board calls this a standard two-year renewal cycle; initial/transition license terms can be shorter.
Source quotation
DC Health has determined that CEU requirements will be adjusted for licensees whose renewal periods are less than two years; however, no fees will be discounted or prorated. All health professional licensing boards in the District of Columbia have transitioned to a birth month/birth year-based renewal cycle to improve administrative efficiency and simplify license tracking for both the Board and licensees. As a result of this transition, some licensees received license terms shorter than the standard two-year period. Because CEU requirements are based on a two-year renewal cycle, this shift created an equity consideration for affected licensees. To maintain fairness while upholding continuing education standards and public protection licensees whose renewal cycles were shorted due to the transition to the birth/month year schedule are required to complete 50% of the standard CEU hours, including all mandatory topics (e.g., LGBTQ+ cultural competency and DC Health public health priorities).
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Renewal competency and CE
RN
- Hours
- 24
- Mandated topics
LGBTQ
- Hours
- 2
Public health priorities
- Hours
- 2.5
Conditions & source context
Published 2026 RN cycle guidance. First-renewal exception and transition adjustment are described separately. LPN renewal hours remain unconfirmed in this record; the reinstatement checklist has a conflicting18/24-hour instruction.
Source context The 2026 RN/APRN notice contains apparent copied references to the Board of Podiatry and Podiatrists. Those passages are not used to infer a prescribing/PDMP requirement for every RN.
Source quotation
FOR RN • Twenty-four (24) hours of CE, which must include 2 HOURS of LGBTQ and 2.5 hours must be in the public health priority topics shown here https://dchealth.dc.gov/node/1163176
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
State-specific requirements
During the birth-month transition, licenses with less than two years in their term require 50% of standard CE, including all mandatory topics; fees are not prorated.
Conditions & source context
The Board states this is a transition adjustment. Mandatory LGBTQ and public-health-priority topics still apply.
Source quotation
DC Health has determined that CEU requirements will be adjusted for licensees whose renewal periods are less than two years; however, no fees will be discounted or prorated. All health professional licensing boards in the District of Columbia have transitioned to a birth month/birth year-based renewal cycle to improve administrative efficiency and simplify license tracking for both the Board and licensees. As a result of this transition, some licensees received license terms shorter than the standard two-year period. Because CEU requirements are based on a two-year renewal cycle, this shift created an equity consideration for affected licensees. To maintain fairness while upholding continuing education standards and public protection licensees whose renewal cycles were shorted due to the transition to the birth/month year schedule are required to complete 50% of the standard CEU hours, including all mandatory topics (e.g., LGBTQ+ cultural competency and DC Health public health priorities).
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
Approved CE providers
Conditions & source context
Board-published education-resource entry; this is not verification that an individual course is approved for an applicant.
Source quotation
Approved Nursing Programs and Continuing Education (LPN, RN, APRN)
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
If your licence lapses
RN licenses expired for no more than five years may be eligible for reinstatement; longer gaps require a different eligibility review, including Board-approved refresher requirements for applicants inactive from practice for at least five years.
Conditions & source context
RN scope only. The currently linked LPN reinstatement checklist conflicts internally between24 and18 CE hours, so its CE total remains held.
Source context The current linked LPN reinstatement checklist states24 CE hours in its eligibility section and18 hours in its upload instructions. No LPN reinstatement total is selected here.
Source quotation
Reinstatement 5408.1 A person whose license has been expired for no more than five (5) years may seek reinstatement of the license. A license shall not be eligible for reinstatement if more than five (5) years have elapsed since its expiration. Expired or Inactive more than 5 years 5402.2 An applicant for a license who was previously licensed in any jurisdiction and has not been actively practicing for five (5) or more years shall submit proof of having completed a board-approved refresher course in accordance with D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.04(e-2).
dchealth.dc.gov · State Board of Nursing
License verification
Official license-verification links and the information available from each source.
Licence lookup
Conditions & source context
Exact current Board-published lookup link. No individual searched; lookup fields or portal availability are not asserted.
Ask the board of nursing
District of Columbia's published rules don't answer these. Ask before you apply — dchealth.dc.gov.
- Multistate licences issued. Does District of Columbia issue multistate licences?
- Jurisprudence exam. Does District of Columbia require a jurisprudence or ethics exam?
- Conditions for privilege. What do I have to satisfy for multistate privilege to apply in District of Columbia?
- How long it takes. How long will District of Columbia take to process my application?
- Temporary licence. Can I start working in District of Columbia before full approval?
Where the sources disagree or go quiet
Worth asking about directly.
What is the October2026 legislative and operational compact status beyond the August2025 expedited endorsement notice?
What current rule resolves the LPN reinstatement checklist’s18/24-hour contradiction, and establishes current LPN renewal CE?
Does DC offer a current RN/LPN temporary endorsement permit after its pandemic-era waivers?