Board of Nursing

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.

Board of Nursing Renewal Update

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to surge, the Board of Nursing is committed to the health and safety of the residents and nurses in the District of Columbia. To ensure that licensees are focused on meeting the needs of our healthcare system, the Board of Nursing has postponed the 2020 Registered Nurse/Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (RNs/APRNs) online renewal.

As the current situation is constantly changing, a determination has not yet been made as to when the renewals will re-open. Please check this website and your emails for more information about the renewals as they become available.

Closure of Walk In Services

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 availalbe for mail services only. No walk-ins or appointments are allowed. Please submit all applications and supplemental documents via mail to HRLA 1, PO Box 37802, Washington, DC 20013. If you are aleady in contact with a Health Licensing Specialist (HLS), please forward any documents to said HLS via email.

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

CONCERN	BON STAFF	EMAIL
Administration	Tonoah Hampton	[email protected]
COIN Monitoring	Concheeta Wright	[email protected]
Continuing Education	Bonita Jenkins	[email protected]
Discipline	Cathy-Borris Hale	[email protected]
Licensing	Melondy Franklin	[email protected]
Nursing Education	Bonita Jenkins	[email protected]
Nursing Practice	Cathy-Borris Hale	[email protected]

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.

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 Meetings Cancelled

Additionally, all health professional board meetings are cancelled for the month of March. For the most up to date information on the District's response to COVID-19, please go to coronavirus.dc.gov.

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.

Board of Nursing Meeting Dates
The full board meets formally on the first Wednesday each month except in the event of a scheduling conflict. The Board does not meet during the month of August. Special meetings may be called by the executive director or the full board itself.

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