Nursing home administrator license requirements in Washington.

Board

Washington State Board of Nursing Home Administrators (Department of Health) Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Education floor

A bachelor's degree A baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution of higher learning is required, and the applicant must be at least 21 years old (WAC 246-843-071). Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Administrator-in-Training hours

500 to 1,500 hours depending on your degree or experience

• 500 hours: Master's degree in health administration or nursing, plus two or more years in a qualifying administrative role (for example hospital administrator, assistant administrator, or director of nursing) with supervisory and budget responsibility: a 500-hour AIT program (WAC 246-843-091).
• 1,000 hours: Four-year degree in health administration or nursing, five years of nursing-home experience, or two years as a department manager with supervisory and budget responsibility: a 1,000-hour AIT program.
• 1,500 hours: Standard 1,500-hour Administrator-in-Training program for a baccalaureate holder without a qualifying health-administration degree or the experience above (WAC 246-843-091).

Board source · checked 2026-07-24

National NAB exams

Required (CORE of Knowledge + Nursing Home Administrator) Washington requires proof of passing the NAB nursing home administrator national examination with a scaled score of at least 113. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Separate state exam

Not required Washington relies on the national NAB examination (minimum scaled score 113); no separate Washington state examination is required (WAC 246-843-070). Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Initial license fee

$805 Original license application fee (WAC 246-843-990). The Administrator-in-Training program application is a separate $285, and the national examination fee is paid to the test vendor. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Renewal fee

$975 Annual license renewal (WAC 246-843-990). Washington licenses renew every year on the licensee's birthday. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Continuing education

36 hours per biennial cycle 36 hours of continuing education every two years (WAC 246-843-130), even though the license itself renews annually on the licensee's birthday. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Reciprocity / endorsement

endorsement available Washington issues a license by endorsement (WAC 246-843-230) to an administrator in good standing from a state whose qualifications are substantially equivalent to RCW 18.52.071 and WAC 246-843-090. Applicants currently certified by the American College of Health Care Administrators are exempt from the NAB national examination. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Statutes and rules: RCW 18.52 (Nursing Home Administrators); WAC 246-843. Figures change on the board's own schedule. Confirm against the board before you apply or pay.

1. Get your checklist. The requirements wizard resolves Washington's requirements for your exact degree.
2. Plan your hours. The AIT-hours tracker turns Washington's hour target into a finish date.
3. Moving here from another state? The reciprocity checker reads Washington's endorsement rule.