About the Board of Nursing
The Board of Nursing, a division within the DC Department of Health, Health Systems & Preparedness Administration (HSPA), is responsible for the licensure and regulation of:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) (i.e., nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Nursing Assistive Personnel (NAPs) (i.e., dialysis techs (DTs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs ), and home health aides (HHAs)
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
The Board also approves and regulates the education and training programs of the health care providers listed above. 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. 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.
Board of Nursing 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.”
How to Join the Board of Nursing - Mayor's Office of Talent and Appointment
Current Vacancies: (2) Consumer Members, (1) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), (2) Registered Nurses (RNs), (1) Long Term Care Administrator (LTCA), (1) Nurse Assistive Personnel (NAP)
Quick Links
- Nursing License Application page- for any healthcare provider who is interested in applying for a new health professional license, or renewing, reinstating or reactivating an existing license
- To Check the Status of a Pending Application- log-in to your online application and click "Check Status"
- To Get a Verification of an Active License
- B.O.N. Regulations Quick Reference Guide- How to Access Regulations
- FBI ALERT: Operation Nightingale: Investigation of Fraudulent Nursing Diplomas- Listing of Ineligible Nursing Schools (Title 17, Chap. 56, Sec 5608)
- Committee On Impaired Nurses (COIN)- Board of Nursing has a rehabilitation program which was established to monitor the practice of nurses impaired due to substance abuse or mental illness
- File a Complaint Against a Nursing or Nurse Assistive Professional
- Reporting Unsafe Nursing Practice
Board of Nursing Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, 8:15 am – 4:45 pm (except holidays)
Contact:
DC Health Processing Center:
Location:
DC Health
2201 Shannon Place, SE, 1st Floor
Washington, DC 20020
Walk Up Services:
- Monday and Tuesday 9 am - 1 pm
- Wednesday 9 am - 330 pm
- Thursday and Friday 9 am - 1 pm
Notices
- Change to the Term of License, Certificate and Registration - Effective Date June 16, 2024
DC Health has always operated with fixed renewal windows for each profession. In response to feedback from the health professional community, the Director has moved to change the renewal system to align with each licensee’s month of birth. As such, all applicable licenses, certificates, or registrations issued on or after June 16, 2024, will expire on the last day of the birth month of the license holder. This will apply to all new applicants and will become applicable to licensees renewing later this year. For those renewing, this will not take effect until September 2024. For all current holders of a license, certificate, or registration additional information will be provided at a later date. This authority is pursuant to Chapter 40 Section 4006.3 DCMR Chapter 40 General Rules. - Initial CNA Application Now Available in Salesforce
The District of Columbia Board of Nursing is pleased to announce that the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) application is now live in Salesforce. Individuals seeking initial CNA certification in the District can now apply directly through our online licensing system. Potential candidates will still need to apply for testing with Credentia at this link: Nurse Aide Testing in DC | Credentia
Learn more about the CNA Application » - Fast-Track CNA Certification Now Available for MD & VA CNAs
The District’s Board of Nursing now offers a temporary 90-day certification for Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) who are already in good standing from Maryland or Virginia. To apply, submit proof of certification, pay the $50 fee, and pass a background check. Complete applications are reviewed within 5 business days.
As credentials are being verified, CNAs can work under the temporary certification. Once approved, CNAs will receive full District certification by endorsement.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or (202) 724-8800. - Public Health Issues Identified for Continuing Education
The Director of the Department of Health (Director) hereby gives notice of the topics identified as public health priorities for the purpose of the continuing education required for the renewal, reactivation, or reinstatement of health professional licenses, certifications, or registrations, issued in accordance with DC Official Code § 3-1201.01 et seq; hereafter referred to as health professionals.
Learn more about public health issues identified for continuing education »
Board of Nursing Alerts
- Alert: Criminal Background Check (CBC) Requirement Notice from DC Health
- Alert: Phone Scam
- Alert: Licensure Waiver Period Has Ended. Please review Important Notices regarding Temporary Licensure Requirements
Online Licensing Applications
Prior to Initiating your Board of Nursing application:
- Please review the updated Health Occupations Regulations Act (H.O.R.A.) § 3–1202.04. Board of Nursing
- Please review the instructions/checklist for your respective license or certification type
- Consider providing personal email for application use opposed to work email in case you transition to a new place of employment and lose access to your work email
- Before initiating your LPN/RN/APRN applications please sign-up for e-Notify at https://www.nursys.com/EN/ENDefault.aspx to receive automated license and discipline notifications.
- If your initial LPN/RN license was obtained in another country request official verification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International)- https://www.cgfns.org/contact/
While Application is Being Reviewed:
- If you have applied for licensure AND completed your Criminal Background Check (CBC) with fingerprints, please check your junk/spam email for any dc.gov and/or Fieldprint correspondence
- To avoid delays, please completed each tab of the application and upload all requested documentation (see image for reference):
Fill out all required demographic information in “Details”, “Applicant” and “Addresses” tab, confirm correct Social Security Number (SSN) before submission of application:
Have Questions?
ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE (APRN)
- FIRST TIME APRN APPLICANT?- Initial Application APRN Application Documents (New/Endorsement)
- APRN LICENSE EXPIRED OR PAID INACTIVE/REACTIVATION?- Apply by Reinstatement APRN Application Documents (Reinstatement)
- Controlled Substance Registration (APRN)- How to Apply for Controlled Substance Registration
CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE (CNA)
- FIRST TIME CNA APPLICANT?- Apply by Exam
- Sign up for Testing- Nurse Aide Testing in DC | Credentia
- Apply for Initial Application- Apply via Salesforce with DC Health
- NEED TO RENEW YOUR CNA LICENSE? Apply by Renewal CNA Renewal Attestation , Credentia | Login
- CNA STATUS UPDATE?- https://help.credentia.com/en/article/how-to-check-the-status-of-the-submitted-application
- CNA LICENSE EXPIRED? Apply by Reinstatement Credentia | Login
HOME HEALTH AIDE (HHA)
- FIRST TIME HHA APPLICANT?- Apply by Exam HHA Exam Checklist
- HHA Testing- www.credentia.com/test-takers/dchha
- CURRENTLY HAVE AN HHA LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE?- Apply by Endorsement HHA Endorsement Checklist, HHA Attestation of Training & Competence
- HHA LICENSE EXPIRED?- Apply by Reinstatement HHA Application Documents
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE (LPN)
- FIRST TIME LPN APPLICANT?- Apply by Exam LPN Application Documents
- CURRENTLY HAVE AN LPN ACTIVE LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE? Apply by Endorsement LPN Application Documents
- LPN LICENSE EXPIRED? Apply for Reinstatement LPN Application Documents
REGISTERED NURSE (RN)
- FIRST TIME RN APPLICANT?- Apply by Exam RN Exam Checklist
- CURRENTLY HAVE AN ACTIVE RN LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE? -Apply by Endorsement or Multi-State RN Endorsement Checklist
- RN LICENSE EXPIRED? -Apply by Reinstatement RN Reactivation/Reinstatement Checklist
TRAINED MEDICATION EMPLOYEE (TME)
- FIRST TIME TME APPLICANT?- Apply by Exam Trained Medication Employee Exam Application
- CURRENTLY HAVE AN ACTIVE TME LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE?- Apply by Endorsement TME Reciprocity Application
- TME LICENSE EXPIRED?- Apply by Reinstatement Trained Medication Employee Reinstatement Application
Address/Name Changes
- Please email name and address changes to: [email protected]
- Please provide your full license number and include letters such as RN, LPN, etc. (If you don't know your license number, provide your Social Security Number).
- For name change, attach a photo or scan of document such as marriage license, divorce decree, medical or court documentation which authorizes the change.
| Topic: | To Learn More About: | Contact: | Or Visit: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional License Applications: Including applying for a new license, renewing, reinstating or reactivating an existing license. |
|
|
Nursing License Application page |
| Criminal Background Checks (CBC) | CBC |
Alem Ghebrezghi- [email protected] |
Criminal Background Check Division |
| Nursing Education and Continuing Education |
Continuing Education (CE) Nursing Education Programs |
Tamara Freeman- [email protected] |
Approved Nursing Programs and Continuing Education (LPN, RN, APRN) Nursing Assistive Personnel Training Programs (CNA, HHA, TME) For NCLEX confirmation: Pearson Vue- https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/test-takers/log-in.html For Testing Eligibility: ATI-https://www.atitesting.com/ |
| Nursing Practice/Discipline | Discipline |
Cathy Borris-Hale- [email protected] |
File a Complaint |
| Disciplinary Action Taken | |||
| Complaint Review and Investigations Process |
Board of Nursing - Meetings
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 (10) full working days before the meeting date. Submit agenda requests for consideration from the public to [email protected].
The full board meets formally every other Wednesday (on the first Wednesday of 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.
Open Meeting Link / Call-in Information
To join online or by phone via the WebEx link and phone information provided in the board agenda for the respective meeting you'd like to attend- CLICK HERE
Board of Nursing Meeting Dates - 9:30 am (Eastern Time)
|
Board of Nursing Meetings |
Type of Meeting (Click "Board Agenda & Minutes" below for Webex virtual meeting link and access code) |
| November 4, 2025 |
In-Person |
| January 7, 2026 | Virtual |
| March 4, 2026 | In-Person |
| May 6, 2026 | Virtual |
| July 1, 2026 | In-Person |
| August 2026 | Board Recess |
| September 2, 2026 | In-Person |
Board Members
Board Opinions
Board Newsletter
- DC Nurse (BON Newsletter): The Board newsletter, DC NURSE, is a communication vehicle to the DC Nursing Community.
More Resources
Abuse Registry: CNA Abuse Registry
Associations:
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)- https://www.aacn.org/certification/verify-certification
- The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)- https://www.aanpcert.org/
- American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)- https://www.amcbmidwife.org/
- National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)- https://www.nbcrna.com/students/nbcrna-certification
- National Certification Corporation (NCC)- https://www.nccwebsite.org/
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)- https://www.pncb.org/
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners- www.aanp.org/
- Nurse Practitioner Association of the District of Columbia- npadc.enpnetwork.com/
Authorization to Release Information: Authorization to Release Information Form
License Search: Online License Search
