- Apply on paper
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Registration Application (PDF) – includes all instructions for completion of application
- How to renew
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Is your contact information current?
In order to serve you better, we must have your correct mailing address in our system. This is especially important because we mail your courtesy renewal notice and updated credential to the address on file. The U.S. Postal Service does not forward Department of Health mail. If your contact information is not current in our system, please complete and submit the contact information change form. If you have questions, feel free to contact our staff.
How to renew
By mail
As part of your annual renewals process, you are required to take the Nursing Pool Registration Report survey.
The collected aggregated data will be published on the Department of Health website and made readily available to the public in accordance with RCW 45.56 (Public Records Act). Anyone found to not be in compliance with annual reporting requirements may be subject to discipline action under the Uniform Disciplinary Act Chapter 18.130 RCW.
Online
Online renewal is not available for this profession.
In person
Renew in person at our Tumwater location.
Questions?
If you have questions about the renewal process, see our Frequently Asked Questions.
- Renewal requirements
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Before expiration, nursing pool registrations must be renewed every year on the date of original issuance. They're required to submit the appropriate fee, renewal card and background check compliance affidavit.
Fee Schedule
- See fee information below
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- Application - registration - $175
- Renewal of registration* - $280
- Registration late renewal penalty - $140
- Expired registration re-issuance - $60
- Duplicate license - $10
- Verification of license - $25
* Please note there is an error in the current rule language stating renewal is due on the licensee's birthday. This was an inadvertent change that doesn't work since this isn't an individual license, so the department will continue to process renewals every year on the date of issuance as the previous rule directed. This error will be corrected in future rule making.
Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are nonrefundable, per WAC 246-12-340.
WAC 246-12-350 – Making payments
- Make checks or money orders payable to the Department of Health.
- Practitioners should include their credential number on the check, draft or money order.
- Applicants should include profession for which they are applying on the check, draft or money order.
- Send check, draft or money order to:
Department of Health
Health Systems Quality Assurance
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099
Helpful Links to Register as a Nursing Pool
- See helpful links below
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Registration with the Department of Health will ensure that your Nursing Pool is registered. You may also contact the Department of Licensing to get a business license, the Washington State Patrol to perform criminal background checks and the Internal Revenue Service to get a tax I.D. number.
- Washington State Patrol – Criminal background checks
- Department of Licensing – Business license center
- Federal Tax ID Number – Get your tax identification number
- Secretary of State – File your Articles of Incorporation (if incorporating)
- Business information on tax identification – Department of Revenue Doing Business website
Understanding your Application
All professions within the Department of Health (DOH) are unique. While the sections identified below can often be found on most applications, it is important to be aware of the requirements and rules of your specific credential(s).
After you submit your application, please watch for email communication from DOH. Throughout the application process promptly reply to all questions and requests. Delayed responses cause a longer wait for your credential to be issued. We highly encourage using our online application services.
- Demographic Information
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Demographic data is used to create an account within the DOH database, verify your identity, and collect contact information. Please carefully provide accurate and complete answers to all applicable demographic questions.
- Military
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It is valuable to indicate your military or spouse status on your DOH application. Appropriate documentation is necessary for all military related applications, and it is important to be aware of documents you need to provide to DOH. In some cases, military education, training, and experience may count towards attaining certain health care professional credentials. As a spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member, you may be eligible to have the processing time of your application expedited.
To find information and resources for military personnel and their spouses visit the Military Resources website.
- Personal Data Questions
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All applicants must respond to the personal data questions, which focus on their ability to demonstrate the essential skills required for their profession.
Carefully review all questions. Please note that “yes” answers require an explanation and additional documentation as outlined on your application. If applicable, please be aware of the necessary documentation and provide it to DOH as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing your application.
- Other Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
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DOH must verify all other credentials. List all states, including Washington State, where credentials are or were held. If you have applicable credentials to list, you may be required to provide an Out-of-State Credential Verification form. This form can be found in the paper application packet or on the Apply for License page. The form must be sent to each state listed and returned to DOH.
Please remember to provide all in-state and out-of-state credentials, including active, expired, and in-renewal. Individual states may require a fee for sending your verification to us, please check in advance to help expedite this process.
- Education
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To verify your qualifications, we must review all educational preparation and post-graduate training. Applicants must request official transcripts from the school(s) attended and the school needs to send them directly to DOH .
- Exam
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In some cases, passing an exam may be required to receive your credential. It is important to be aware of whether this applies to your credential. Exam scores must be sent from the exam host to the department. For more information on exams that may apply to your credential, visit your profession page.
- Supervised Experience
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Supervised experience may be necessary to receive your credential or maintain it as you practice. Supervision rules and requirements vary from profession to profession, please visit your professions page to learn more about supervision requirements for your credential.
Important Reminders
- Fees
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Fees must be paid when an application is submitted. You can pay online while using the online application portal, or by sending a check or money order to the appropriate PO Box as listed on your application.
Applications with unpaid fees cannot be processed until payment is received.
- Background Check
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A background check is processed for every applicant. DOH may need to obtain a fingerprint-based background check with Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). If this is required for your application, you will be contacted by DOH and it is your responsibility to complete the required steps to submit this background check.
Process for Approving/Denying Applications
We finish the final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete and complies with requirements in chapter 18.52C RCW and chapter 246-845 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify that the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.