Nursing careers

State licensure requirements

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Requirements for all health care workers

  • Washington requirements for AIDS education —Information about who must obtain AIDS education and acceptable AIDS education and training for specific healthcare providers
  • Other Washington State HIV/AIDS education resources—See HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education Services

For classes in Clark County:

  • American Red Cross: two, four and seven hour classes offered, call 360-693-5821
  • Clark College Continuing Education Program: two, four and seven hour classes offered, call 360-992-2939

State licensure requirements for nurses and nursing assistants

IF YOU ARE A PRACTICING R.N. IN ANOTHER STATE

You must contact the Oregon State Board of Nursing at 503-731-4745 to request an application for an Oregon license. You are not able to obtain an application on-line: The OSBN wants to start a file for you upon your request for an application. For licensure requirements or other information you can go to the Oregon State Board of Nursing: www.osbn.state.or.us.

OBTAINING A WASHINGTON LICENSE IF YOU ARE A PRACTICING R.N. IN OREGON

1. Prior to applying for licensure, you must have completed a minimum of 7 hours of AIDS education which includes the following topics; prevention, transmission and treatment of AIDS, etiology and epidemiology, testing and counseling, infection control guidelines, clinical manifestations and treatment, legal and ethical issues, confidentiality, and psychological issues which includes special population considerations. You must maintain records documenting said education for 2 years and be prepared to submit these records to the Department of Health if requested.

2. Complete the "Application for License by Examination or Endorsement" in full. Remember to sign the AIDS Education and Training Attestation and the Applicant's Attestation.

3. Attach a recent 2"x2" passport size picture of yourself; sign your name on the back of the photo.

4. Include a photocopy of your current license.

5. Include a $70 check or money order made payable to Department of Health. This fee is not refundable.

6. Mail your application form, photograph and fee to:
Department of Health-Nursing Commission
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

7. At the time you mail your application, you must also mail your completed License Verification Request Form and a $30 money order, cashiers check or
National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc.
35331 Eagle Way
Chicago, IL 60678-1353

Or for quicker, easier service, apply on line at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing: https://www.nursys.com/

Application forms for Washington licensure can be obtained from The Washington State Department of Health at http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Nursing/default.htm.

TO OBTAIN NURSING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION FOR WASHINGTON STATE

If your name is listed on another state Registry, you may qualify for Interstate Endorsement as a Nursing Assistant Certified. If not, follow the steps below.

1. Prior to applying for certification, you must have completed a minimum of 7 hours of AIDS education which includes:

  • Prevention, transmission and treatment of AIDS 
  • Etiology and epidemiology
  • Testing and counseling
  • Infection control guidelines
  • Clinical manifestations and treatment
  • Legal and ethical issues
  • Confidentiality
  • Psychological issues, which includes special population considerations 

2. You must maintain records documenting this education for two years and be prepared to submit these records to the Department of Health, if requested.

Obtain and complete the application in full and mail it with the $15.00 to:
Department of Health
Nursing Assistant Program
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

3. Complete Part 1 of the Out of State Verification Form and send it to the state you are coming from (not Washington State). That state will complete the Verification Form and mail it directly back to Washington State.
Oregon Registry
800 NE Oregon Street
Portland, OR 97232
503-731-3459

4. If you have any questions, call 360-236-4700, ext 3.