***COVID 19 UPDATES***

COVID-19 Guidances and Best Practices

For the most up to date information on the District's response to COVID-19, including information on best practices, licensure waivers, and recommended guidelines, go to coronavirus.dc.gov.

Due to ongoing efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, effective immediately, the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) is implementing a 100% telework policy and will be available for mail services only. No walk-ins or appointments are allowed.  If you are already in contact with a Health Licensing Specialist (HLS), please forward any documents to said HLS via email.

Board of Nursing is committed to doing our best to continue normal operations and prioritize tasks; please understand that responses and actions may be delayed. We are currently processing routine applications within 30- 45 business days, if the application is complete. We appreciate your patience during this unprecedented time.

Licensure Waivers

In response to COVID-19, DC Health has waived all licensure requirements for practitioners who are licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction. You can read more about the waiver process HERE.

If you require assistance from the Board of Nursing, please contact the following individuals by email:

•  Executive Director - Tonoah Hampton [email protected]
• COIN Monitoring - Concheeta Wright [email protected]
• Nursing Education,Continuing Education  - Bonita Jenkins [email protected]
• Nursing Practice, Discipline​​​​​​​ - Cathy Borris-Hale [email protected]
• TME Applications, LPN, RN, APRN Reinstatement Applications -  Melondy Franklin [email protected]
• LPN & RN Exam applications  - Tanee Atwell  [email protected]
• LPN & RN Endorsement applications - Antoinette Butler [email protected]
• RN & APRN Endorsement applications - Daneka Bigelow [email protected]
• HHA applications -  Antoinette Stokes [email protected]
• Renewals- https://dohlicenseinfo.secure.force.com/support/

Board of Nursing Renewal Update

RN/APRN RENEWALS PORTAL IS OPEN!!!

Select this link:

https://dohlicenseinfo.secure.force.com/dchealthrenewals/

CLICK “SIGN-UP” to begin!

The 2020 renewal cycle has begun, and will run from June 8, 2020 through August 30, 2020. The late renewal period will run August 31, 2020 through October 31, 2020. The Board will be exclusively accepting renewals via the online renewal system. This will include confirming demographic information (i.e., name, address, etc.), submitting name changes, continuing education, completing the Workforce Survey, a criminal background check and receiving an electronic license.   

Licensees will also have the opportunity to place their license in Paid Inactive status during this process. Paper applications will NOT be accepted, and we will not be issuing paper licenses this year.  Additionally, APRN’s that select to renew their District of Columbia controlled substance registration must register with the District of Columbia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). The controlled substance registration will not be renewed unless you have registered.  To register with the PDMP, please go to https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/prescription-drug-monitoring-program and complete the online registration process.

Exam Information

For updates on how COVID-19 has impacted NCLEX candidate exam schedules and testing, visit Pearson Vue.

Committee on Impaired Nurses (COIN)

In response to the COVID-19 pendemic, the Committee on Impaired Nurses meetings for April 17, 2020 and May 15, 2020 are cancelled.  However, should any hospitals or nursing facilities have any referrals, please send them to [email protected].

Discipline

Please continue to send all notices of terminations related to practice or abuse to [email protected]. 

Board of Nursing Meeting Dates

The Board meets the first Wednesday of the month, with the exception of August. All meetings are open to the general public and are held at 899 N. Capitol Street NE Washington, DC 20002. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all board meetings will be held virtually during the declared public health emergency.  Special meetings may be called by the executive director or the full board itself. 

To ensure that business is on the agenda for the Board to consider at its next meeting, submit all documentation to the Board office no later than 4:30 PM ten full working days before the meeting date.

To Verify a License,
select link HERE.

Mission Statement

 “The mission of the Board of Nursing is to safeguard the public’s health and well-being by assuring safe quality care in the District of Columbia. This is achieved through the regulation of nursing practice and education programs; and by the licensure, registration and continuing education of nursing personnel.”

The Board of Nursing, a division within the DC Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA), is responsible for the licensure and regulation of registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) (i.e., nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners), nursing assistive personnel (NAPs) (i.e., dialysis techs (DTs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs ), and home health aides (HHAs).  The Board also approves and regulates the education and training programs of the health care providers listed above.

The Board issues a quarterly newsletter, DC NURSE, as a communication vehicle to the DC Nursing Community.

The Board administers a rehabilitation program, the Committee On Impaired Nurses (COIN), which was established to monitor the practice of nurses impaired due to substance abuse or mental illness.  

The Board has eleven (11) members, of which seven (7) are RNs, two (2) are LPNs, and two (2) consumer members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the DC Council.

2020 – 2021 Meetings
April 1, 2020
May 6, 2020
June 3, 2020
July 1, 2020
August – No Meeting
September 2, 2020
October 7, 2020
November 4, 2020
December 2, 2020
January 6, 2021
February 3, 2021

The Board shall regulate the practice of advanced practice registered nursing, registered nursing, practical nursing, and nursing assistive personnel. The Board shall recommend for promulgation by the Mayor curricula and standards required for the approval of nursing schools and nursing programs in the District of Columbia.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

New Criminal Background Check Instructions
Criminal Background Check

Nurses
Registered Nurse
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse

Nursing Assistive Personnel
Certified Nurse Assistant
Home Health Aide
Trained Medication Employee

Verification
NURSYS Endorsement Verification

Abuse Registry
CNA Abuse Registry

Impaired Nurses
Committee on Impaired Nurses (COIN)

Reporting 
Reporting Unsafe Nursing Practice

License Search
Online License Search

Discipline
File a Complaint
Disciplinary Action Taken 
Complaint Review and Investigations Process

Legislation/Regulations
DC Legislation and Regulations

Nursing Education Programs
Nursing Education Programs

Continuing Education (CE)
Continuing Education

Board Members
BON Members

Board Agenda and Minutes
BON Agenda & Meeting Schedule
BON Minutes

Board Opinions
BON Issued Opinions

Newsletter
DC Nurse (BON Newsletter)

Name/Address Change
Reporting a Name or Address Change

Criminal Background Check
Criminal Background Check

Connect with us!

899 North Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 442-5955
Fax: (202) 442-4795
TTY: 711
Email: [email protected]
Vital Records: (202) 442-9303