What?s the same?

• All nurses must be licensed to practice in Washington.
• All nursing employers must verify current licensure of nurses in Washington.
• Provider Credential Search is the main source of verifying nursing licenses in Washington at: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/
• All nursing licenses are included on Provider Credential Search.
• Courtesy renewal cards mailed 8 ? 10 weeks before your birthday.
• Return license renewal card with correct fee prior to birthday.
• Provider Credential Search updated as license renewed.

What?s different?

• The goal is on April 1, nurses in Washington will no longer receive a blue paper copy of the renewal

Why do this?

• Decreases the chances of fraudulent licenses
• Reduces the amount of paper ? Going Green!
• Most employers verify current licensure using Provider Credential Search now.
• Employers who call for verification are referred to Provider Credential Search.
• Our Nursing Commission expenses must be reduced by $122,000 by June 30, 2009.
• Reduces costs ? in one year, this will save the Nursing Commission $143,000.
• From April 1 through June 30, the Nursing Commission will save $36,000.
• This savings will help retain our licensing staff.
• This savings will help retain our investigators and legal staff to process necessary discipline.

How will this work?

• Nurses continue to receive a renewal notice 8 to 10 weeks before birthdays.
• Return your renewal card and payment as soon as possible.
• Check on line to assure license renewed. Renewals take approximately 2 weeks to process.

What?s Next?

• On line applications ? need funding to proceed.
• Credit and debit card payments available at our customer service counter.
• Fee study.