Registered Nurse / District of Columbia
2026 data District of Columbia board official source

District of Columbia Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Provides patient care, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians. Requires NCLEX-RN exam.

What the District of Columbia data shows for Registered Nurses

To practice as a registered nurse in District of Columbia, the state licensing board requires 2,573 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-RN. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under District of Columbia's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

Upfront cost is $125, with renewal running $100 on a 2-year cycle. Expect roughly 5 weeks of processing once a complete application is submitted. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
42/100
Registered Nurse · District of Columbia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,573 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$175
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$61/yr
$122 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in District of Columbia

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,573 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$175
Renewal Fee
$122
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
5 wks
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Registered Nurse →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Nurse All District of Columbia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with District of Columbia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in District of Columbia? ▼
In District of Columbia, the license path calls for 2573 education/training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-RN, and a $175 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia licenses registered nurses who complete its requirements (2573 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the District of Columbia licensing board.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to District of Columbia from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for registered nurses: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the District of Columbia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does District of Columbia require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the registered nurse licensing process in District of Columbia. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in District of Columbia? ▼
Licensed registered nurses in District of Columbia must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $122.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in District of Columbia? ▼
The initial licensing fee in District of Columbia is $125. The renewal fee is $100 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 5 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in District of Columbia? ▼
In District of Columbia, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 5 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered nurse license

Registered Nurse in District of Columbia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how District of Columbia's registered nurse requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Registered Nurse in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state registered nurse license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how District of Columbia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. District of Columbia overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the District of Columbia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.