How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Washington
In Washington, a LPN license typically requires a state exam, and a $200 exam fee.
Provides basic nursing care under RN or physician supervision. Requires a practical-nursing diploma and the NCLEX-PN. Requirements change — always confirm with Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission before paying.
Licensing steps in Washington
- 1Meet the basic requirements
Age and background check rules vary — confirm with the state board.
- 2Complete pre-license education
Required training hours are not published here — check with the state board for the current figure.
- 3Register and pass the exam
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE.
- 4Pay fees and get licensed
Exam fee $200 · application $93 · license $93
- 5Stay current
License renews every 1 years with 8 hours of continuing education.
LPN requirements — Washington at a glance
| Education hours | — |
| Exam vendor | Pearson VUE |
| Questions (national/state) | — / — |
| Passing score | — |
| Exam fee | $200 |
| Application fee | $93 |
| License fee | $93 |
| First-attempt pass rate | not published |
| Retake rule | — |
| Renewal | every 1 years · 8 CE |
| Reciprocity | Yes — NLC member (since July 2023); multistate license available |
Official source: Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission ↗
Transferring a LPN license between states
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Practical and vocational nurses transfer through the Nurse Licensure Compact. A compact-state resident can hold one multistate licence covering every other implemented compact state.
41 jurisdictions currently use it. Washington is one of them.
Confirm your home state is actively issuing multistate licences on the NCSBN compact map. Mechanism data retrieved 2026-09-13.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a LPN license in Washington?
After completing the required education, most candidates need 4-12 weeks of study before the exam. Total timeline depends on scheduling.
How hard is the LPN exam in Washington?
Official first-attempt pass rates are not published by Washington; check the state board.
What does the LPN license cost in Washington?
The exam fee is $200, the application fee is $93, and the license fee is $93
Can I transfer my LPN license to Washington?
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC): Practical and vocational nurses transfer through the Nurse Licensure Compact. A compact-state resident can hold one multistate licence covering every other implemented compact state. For Washington specifically, our dataset notes: Yes — NLC member (since July 2023); multistate license available.
Plan your LPN licensing in Washington
Work the road in order — check what Washington requires, price the prep, lock a study schedule, then keep the license current.
- 1. Confirm requirements — education hours, fees and the board that issues it.
- 2. Budget the prep — exam + application + license + course costs before you pay.
- 3. Study to the exam — the LPN exam blueprint and a dated study plan.
- 4. Sit the exam — what to bring, where to test, and the retake rule if you miss.
- 5. Stay licensed — renewal cycle, CE hours, and Washington reciprocity.
LPN tools for Washington
Every step of the Washington LPN road has a free tool — from the first requirements check to renewal and reciprocity.
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Requirements change frequently — verify all figures with Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (retrieved 2026-08-20).