How many CE hours does a Washington Registered Nurse need?

8 CE contact hours every year, per the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON). 8 CE hours per YEAR (annual renewal), including 2 health-equity hours, plus 96 practice hours. Always confirm with the board.

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CE requirements › Washington RN

Washington Registered Nurse: CE & renewal requirements

8 CE contact hours every year

ANNUAL, on your birthday. CE and practice hours are per period and cannot carry over.

Source: Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) · confirmed 2026-06. Requirements change — always verify with the board.

Required topics

2 of the 8 hours must be Health Equity CE (including implicit bias)
One-time 6-hour suicide-prevention training early in licensure
96 active practice hours each year (separate from the 8 CE hours)

First renewal & exemptions

CRNAs with an active license are exempt from the one-time suicide-prevention training.

If your license lapses

You may renew up to 1 year late with a fee; expired over 1 year needs reactivation, and over 3 years requires a Board-approved refresher (unless you hold active licensure elsewhere). Your next renewal is still due on your birthday.

How CE is tracked

Self-attest in the online portal (and submit required demographic data). Hours must fall within the renewal period — no carry-over.

Watch out: Washington ties renewal to your BIRTHDAY every year AND requires 96 active practice hours on top of CE — do all 8 CE hours but work under 96 hours and you still don't meet active-status competency.

Are you on track? Check free

Enter your license expiration and CE hours completed — see what you still owe, the pace to finish, and your reminder schedule. No signup.

Informational only, based on the numbers you enter — not legal or licensing advice, and not an official record. Confirm your exact requirement and current status with the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON).