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.
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.
Quick Links
- Professional License Applications - Apply online for a new health professional license, or renew, reinstate or reactivate an existing license.
- Check the status of a pending application -Log-in to your online application and click "Check Status".
- Get a Verification of your License
- File a COMPLAINT Against a Nursing Professional
- Nursing Education Programs
- Reporting a Name or Address Change
- Reporting Unsafe Nursing Practice
Board of Nursing Office Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:15 am – 4:45 pm (except holidays)
Contact:
DC Health Processing Center:
Location:
DC Health
2201 Shannon Place SE
Washington, DC 20020
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, and Wednesday, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (except holidays).
Phone:
1 (877) 672-2174
Walk Up Services:
- Monday and Tuesday 9 am - 1 pm
- Wednesday 9 am - 330 pm
- Thursday and Friday 9 am - 1 pm
Notices
- 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 CNA certification in the District can now apply directly through our online licensing system.
Learn more » - 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 »
Alerts
- Alert: Gonorrhea Outbreak Health Advisory Notice
- Alert: Multi- State Endorsement Pathway 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
- Alert: B.O.N. Regulations Quick Reference Guide
Online Licensing Applications
Any healthcare provider who is interested in applying for a new health professional license, or renewing, reinstating or reactivating an existing license, should visit the Nursing License Application page. All users are strongly encouraged to review the instructions prior to beginning the process.
- Check the status of a pending application -Log-in to your online application and click "Check Status".
- Get a verification of your license
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 or court document which authorizes the change.
Have Questions?
| Topic: | Contact: | To Learn More About: | 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) | [email protected] | CBC | Criminal Background Check Division |
| Nursing Education and Continuing Education | [email protected] | Continuing Education (CE) | Continuing Education |
| Nursing Education Programs | Nursing Education Programs | ||
| Nursing Practice/Discipline | [email protected] |
Discipline |
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
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.
Board of Nursing Meeting Dates - 9am (Eastern Time)
|
Board of Nursing Meetings |
Type of Meeting In-Person at DC Health or Virtual (See above 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 Monthly Agenda and Minutes
Board Members
Board Opinions
Board Newsletter
- DC Nurse (BON Newsletter): The Board newsletter, DC NURSE, is a communication vehicle to the DC Nursing Community.
Listing of Ineligible Schools
| Title 17, Chap. 56, Sec 5608 | ALERT: Operation Nightingale: Investigation of Fraudulent Nursing Diplomas |
More 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
Nurse and Nursing Assistive Personnel Applications:
Any healthcare provider who is interested in applying for a new health professional license, or renewing, reinstating or reactivating an existing license, should visit the Nursing License Application page. All users are strongly encouraged to review the instructions prior to beginning the process.
Nursing Education Programs: Nursing Education Programs
Name/Address Change: Reporting a Name or Address Change
Reporting: Reporting Unsafe Nursing Practice
Verification: NURSYS Endorsement Verification