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 DC Health Processing Center is located at:
DC Health2201 Shannon Place SE
Washington, DC 20020
Processing Center Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm,and Wednesday, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (except holidays).
Office Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:15 am – 4:45 pm (except holidays).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 4006.3DCMR Chapter 40 General Rules.
LISTING OF INELIGIBLE SCHOOLS
Title 17, Chap. 56, Sec 5608
ALERT: Operation Nightingale: Investigation of Fraudulent Nursing Diplomas
ALERTS
- Alert: Gonorrhea Outbreak Health Advisory Notice
- Alert: HHA Renewal
- Alert: TME Renewal Notice
- Alert: CNA Renwal Notice
- Alert: APRN PDMP Registration Requirement
- Alert: Criminal Background Check (CBC) Requirement Notice from DC Health
- Alert: Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) Shigellosis
- Alert: Phone Scam
- Alert: Licensure Waiver Period Has Ended
Public Notice Identifying Public Health Issues for Continuing Education
ONLINE LICENSING APPLICATIONS
Any healthcare provider who is interested in applying for a new health professional license, or to renew, reinstate, or reactivate an existing license, may do so by going to the below link and submitting an online application. All users are strongly encouraged to review the instructions prior to beginning the process.
ONLINE APPLICATION: doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page
New License Online Application Instructions and Document Submission information
- File a COMPLAINT against a nursing professional
- Check the status of a pending application, log-in to your online application and click "Check Status".
- Online verification of a license
- Request a license verification
Address Change / Name Change
- 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 or court document which authorizes the change.
| Have questions? | Contact our staff at email address: | To learn more about: | Or select this link: | |
| Criminal Background Checks (CBC) | Staff | [email protected] | CBC | Criminal Background Check Division |
| Nursing Education and Continuing Education |
Staff | [email protected] | Continuing Education (CE) | Continuing Education |
| Nursing Education Programs | Nursing Education Programs | |||
| Nursing Practice/Discipline | Cathy Borris-Hale |
[email protected] |
Discipline |
File a Complaint |
| Disciplinary Action Taken | ||||
| Complaint Review and Investigations Process | ||||
Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
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| APRN New Applications | Staff | [email protected] | APRN Application Documents | |
| APRN Reinstatement Applications |
Staff | [email protected] | Applying for Reinstatement | APRN Application Documents |
| APRN Controlled Substance Registration and Medical Marijuana | Staff | TBD | Rx: Controlled Substances and Medical Marijuana | TBD |
Registered Nurse (RN)
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| RN Exam | Staff | [email protected] | Applying by Exam | RN Application Documents |
| RN Endorsement | Staff | [email protected] | Applying by Endorsement | RN Application Documents |
| RN Reinstatement | Staff | [email protected] | Applying for Reinstatement | RN Application Documents |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
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| LPN Exam | Staff | [email protected] | Applying by Exam | LPN Application Documents |
| LPN Endorsement | Staff | [email protected] | Applying by Endorsement | LPN Application Documents |
| LPN Reinstatement | Staff | [email protected] | Applying for Reinstatement | LPN Application Documents |
Home Health Aide (HHA)
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HHA Exam |
Staff | [email protected] | Applying by Exam | HHA Testing: www.credentia.com/test-takers/dchha |
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HHA Endorsement |
Staff | [email protected] | Applying by Endorsement | HHA Application Documents |
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HHA Reinstatement |
Staff | [email protected] | Applying for Reinstatement | HHA Application Documents |
Trained Medication Employee (TME)
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| TME Exam | Staff | [email protected] | Applying by Exam | TME Application Documents |
| TME Endorsement | Staff | [email protected] | Applying by Endorsement | TME Application Documents |
| TME Reinstatement | Staff | [email protected] | Applying for Reinstatement | TME Application Documents |
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
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| RENEWAL |
CNA Employment Attestation: Attestation Form for 2023 Renewal |
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Dialysis Technician |
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| Board of Nursing Renewal Schedule | |||
| License type | Renewal open | Renewal close | Year type |
| APRN / RN | Mid April | June 30 | Even Years (i.e., 2024, 2026, etc.) |
| LPN | Mid April | June 30 | Odd Years (i.e. , 2023, 2025, etc.) |
| Nursing Assistive Personnel (NAP) HHA / CNA / TME | Mid September | October 31 | Odd Years (i.e. , 2023, 2025, etc.) |
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.
The Board of Nursing is holding a special meeting on Monday May 19. 2025 from 9 am to 1pm and can be accessed at https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/j.php?MTID=m3941099286d7e5acb75bc9c07300ccb7
BON Open Meeting Link / Call-in Information
Join online: dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/j.php?MTID=mcc28cf799c8f6eccc4f690b77e9e8b4b
Join by Phone: 1-650-479-3208 (US/Canada)
Access Code: 172 969 3891
Open Virtual Meeting Notice
Board of Nursing Meeting Dates - 9AM (Eastern Time)
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BON Meetings |
Type of Meeting On Ground and Virtual (See above for Webex virtual meeting link and access code.) |
January 8, 2025* |
Virtual |
March 5, 2025 |
Virtual |
May 7, 2025 |
Virtual |
July 2, 2025 |
Virtual |
August 2025 |
Board Recess |
September 3, 2025 |
In-Person |
Click Here To Verify a License.
ABOUT THE BOARD OF NURSING
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 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 Members: BON Members
Board Agenda and Minutes
Board Opinions
DC Nurse (BON Newsletter): The Board newsletter, DC NURSE, is a communication vehicle to the DC Nursing Community.
RESOURCES
Abuse Registry: CNA Abuse Registry
Associations
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- Nurse Practitioner Association of the District of Columbia
Authorization to Release Information: Authorization to Release Information Form
Committee on Impaired Nurses (COIN): 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.
Criminal Background Check: Criminal Background Check
Discipline: Please continue to send all notices of terminations related to practice or abuse to [email protected]
Education & Continuing Education
- Approved Nursing Programs and Continuing Education (LPN, RN, APRN)
- Nursing Assistive Personnel Training Programs (CNA, HHA, TME)
Legislation/Regulations: DC Legislation and Regulations
License Search: Online License Search
Nurses Application Documents
Nursing Assistive Personnel Application Documents
Nursing Education Programs: Nursing Education Programs
Name/Address Change: Reporting a Name or Address Change
Reporting: Reporting Unsafe Nursing Practice
Verification: NURSYS Endorsement Verification
Connect with us!
2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020
Phone: (202) 442-5955
Fax: (202) 442-4795
TTY: 711
Email: [email protected]
Vital Records: (202) 442-9303