COVID-19 - Temporary practice permit applications for RNs (updated message)

Dear health care providers:

 

The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission completes the licensing for all nurses in our state, including RNs, LPNs, ARNPs and Nursing Technicians. There are two options for nurses with licenses from out of Washington.

Nurses may volunteer as an Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners. Complete the Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Application (Word). Applications will be screened to ensure the potential volunteer’s health license is in good standing in each state of licensure. The volunteer’s name will be entered into a database of approved emergency volunteer health practitioners. The Washington State Department of Health will activate approved volunteers as needs arise while an emergency proclamation is in effect. This process allows out of state nurses without a Washington State license to work in Washington for the duration of the emergency. This is the quickest way for nurses to come to Washington to work.

A second option is for the nurses to apply for a Washington license and receive a temporary practice permit.   The Nursing Commission is giving top priority to the temporary practice permit applications for nurses to assist with the urgent and critical care needs in King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties during this COVID-19 crisis. Please send an email to nurselicensing@doh.wa.gov with a list of applicant names. Please indicate the urgency of this request based on one or more of the following criteria:

• intensity of patient care
• lack of current staffing to provide patient care
• staff unable to continue to provide patient care due to illness
• existing nursing vacancies that are currently unfilled due to the COVID 19 situation

 

Once we receive the application, our office will send a fingerprint card packet. Applicants must complete an FBI criminal background check and submit their fingerprints as soon as possible.

For the application and directions to the online nursing application, please go to https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/6000/669419.pdf

Our office needs a list of nurses from your facility who are applying for positions in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties to expedite the process.

Thank you.

Paula R. Meyer MSN, RN, FRE

Executive Director

Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission

Washington State Department of Health