Everything you need to get your Washington State RN license by endorsement — step-by-step process, exact costs, required documents, and a printable checklist. Built for travel nurses, by recruiters who know.
From Nursys verification to your Temporary Practice Permit — here's the exact sequence, in order, with no guesswork.
Order license verification on Nursys.com. Select Texas as the verifying state and Washington as the recipient. Transmits electronically within 24 hours.
$30~24 hoursSign up at SecureAccess Washington (secureaccess.wa.gov). Add the Department of Health HELMS service to your account. This is your gateway to all WA licensing.
Free15 minIn HELMS, select Registered Nurse → Licensure by Endorsement. Complete the mandatory Demographic Workforce Survey (RCW 18.130.042) when prompted.
$13830 minWABON emails fingerprint instructions after submission. Schedule IdentoGO Live Scan or mail FD-258 fingerprint card. FBI processing takes 8-12 weeks.
~$488-12 wksOnce FBI clears, WABON issues your permanent RN license. Your Temporary Practice Permit lets you start working before that.
Included1-2 wks post-FBITransparent, itemized costs. No hidden fees. Total out-of-pocket for a standard single-state endorsement is under $220.
| Item | Source | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Online Endorsement Application Required | SAW / HELMS Portal | $138.00 |
| Multistate License Upgrade Optional | HELMS Portal (WABON) | $203.00 |
| License Verification Required | Nursys.com | $30.00 |
| FBI Fingerprint Background Check Required | IdentoGO Live Scan or FD-258 Card | $48.25 |
| Official College Transcripts Waived | Nursing School | $0.00 |
| Temporary Practice Permit Included | Issued by WABON | $0.00 |
| Suicide Prevention Training (6 hr) Required | DOH-Approved Provider | $39-$60 |
| Total (Standard Endorsement) | Single-State License | ~$216 |
Gather these before you start. Items marked required must be uploaded in HELMS within 14 days of application submission.
Must be active and unencumbered. Verified electronically via Nursys.
Confirmation that WA Board of Nursing was selected as recipient.
Saved PDF of your submitted endorsement application from HELMS dashboard.
IdentoGO confirmation or FD-258 card mailing receipt from post office.
6-hour DOH-approved course completion certificate.
Only required if applying for Multistate License ($203). WA DL, voter card, W-2, or tax return.
Waived for US RN endorsement unless explicitly requested by WABON.
Screenshot or confirmation number from the online Workforce Survey.
Washington law (RCW 43.70.442) requires all nurses to complete a 6-hour state-approved suicide prevention course before practicing. Here are the top providers.
University of Washington's flagship course. Evidence-based, designed specifically for healthcare professionals. Self-paced online format.
Enroll at UW CSPAR →Affordable home-study option. Meets WA DOH 6-hour requirement. Instant certificate upon completion.
Enroll at AchieveCE →Targeted specifically for Washington State nurses. Covers assessment, intervention, and post-vention. ANCC accredited.
Enroll at ATrain →Bundles the 6-hour suicide prevention requirement with the 2-hour health equity CE required for first renewal. Best value.
Enroll at CE Broker →Here's what happens after you click submit — and when you can actually start working.
Electronic verification of your Texas license is sent to WABON. You'll receive a confirmation email from Nursys.
Application and $138 fee submitted through HELMS. Demographic Workforce Survey completed inline.
You'll receive an email with fingerprint packet instructions. Schedule your IdentoGO appointment or request an FD-258 card.
Once your application, fee, and Nursys verification all clear, WABON issues your TPP. This lets you start working immediately.
Complete your Live Scan at an IdentoGO location or mail your FD-258 card to the address provided by WABON.
FBI processes your fingerprints. This is the longest wait in the pipeline — but your TPP keeps you working the entire time.
WABON issues your permanent WA RN license. You'll receive a notification in HELMS and can print your license card.
The Temporary Practice Permit is the biggest advantage of the WA endorsement process. Once your application, fee, and Nursys verification clear (typically 5-10 business days), WABON issues a TPP that lets you legally practice nursing in Washington while your FBI background check processes.
Valid for 180 days
Full practice authority
No employer restrictions
Converts to permanent automatically
Tap each item to check it off. Your progress saves automatically in your browser.
These are the exact PDFs from WABON and the WA Department of Health. No fill-in-the-blank forms — Washington is 100% online.
Step-by-step visual walkthrough of the HELMS dashboard, application screens, and document upload.
How to create your SecureAccess Washington login and attach the DOH HELMS service.
Official WABON directions on new portal regulations, fees, and digital renewal requirements.
Expedited 7-day TPP processing and fee waiver criteria for military personnel and spouses.
Straight answers from recruiters who've helped hundreds of nurses through this process.
Need help navigating the WA licensure process? Want me to check if your Texas compact license covers Washington? I'll walk you through every step and match you with open WA contracts.
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