Registered Nurse (RN) License in District of Columbia

Healthcare · DC

License RequiredHigh Difficulty

Key Insights

•The $183 licensing fee in DC is 6% below the $195 national average for Registered Nurse (RN) licenses across 53 states.
•Registered Nurse (RN)s in DC earn $107,590/year, 21% above the national median of $89,010.
•The license fee represents just 0.17% of the annual salary, offering a strong return on the licensing investment.
•Rated "High" difficulty, this is a demanding licensing path. 3 of 26 licenses in DC share this difficulty level.
•License renewal requires 30 CE hours every 2 year(s), averaging 15 hours annually.

Live DataLast updated: April 13, 2026·Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards

Verified

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing BoardsUpdated: 2026 dataHow we compile →

Key Takeaways

District of Columbia requires a license for Registered Nurse (RN). Across all 53 states with data, 100% require licensure for this occupation.
The $183 initial fee is close to the national average of $195 across 53 states.
Registered Nurse (RN)s in District of Columbia earn $107,590/year — 21% above the national median of $89,010. Higher pay often correlates with higher cost of living or stronger demand.
The licensing process has high difficulty, requiring BSN or ADN and typically taking 2-4 years to complete. Ongoing CE: 30 hours per cycle.
License renewal is required every 2 years in District of Columbia. The average renewal cycle across states is 2 years.

Education

BSN or ADN

Required Exam

NCLEX-RN

Initial Fee

$183

Renewal Period

Every 2 year(s)

CE Hours / Cycle

30 hours

Time to License

2-4 years

Salary Comparison

District of Columbia Average Wage

$107,590/yr

National Median Wage

$89,010/yr

+$18,580 (+21%) compared to national median

District of ColumbiaNational

💡 Why it matters: Registered Nurse (RN)

A Registered Nurse (RN) license in District of Columbia costs $183 initially and requires BSN or ADN. District of Columbia wages are above the national median by 21%, making it a competitive market for this profession.

Registered Nurse (RN) License in Other States

State	Fee	Wage	Difficulty
Alaska	$185	$95,970	High
Alabama	$181	$77,480	High
Arkansas	$244	$79,880	High
Arizona	$240	$89,020	High
California	$214	$103,650	High
Colorado	$148	$97,120	High
Connecticut	$162	$102,840	High
Delaware	$163	$91,270	High
Florida	$159	$89,240	High
Georgia	$176	$87,800	High
Hawaii	$142	$107,720	High
Iowa	$146	$81,950	High

View all states for Registered Nurse (RN)→

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Data verified: 2026-04

State DOL & Professional Boards

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LicenseWize Editorial TeamData Specialists

The LicenseWize editorial team aggregates and verifies licenses data from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.

✓ Sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards✓ Quarterly review✓ No paid placements

Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Registered Nurse (RN) license required in District of Columbia?

Yes, District of Columbia requires a professional license to work as a Registered Nurse (RN). You must complete BSN or ADN, pass the NCLEX-RN, and pay an initial fee of $183. The licensing process is rated High difficulty.

How much does a Registered Nurse (RN) license cost in District of Columbia?

The initial application fee for a Registered Nurse (RN) license in District of Columbia is $183. The license must be renewed every 2 year(s), with 30 continuing education hours required per renewal cycle. Additional costs include education, exam fees, and background checks.

What education is needed to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia requires BSN or ADN to qualify for a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN examination. The typical timeline from start to licensure is 2-4 years. All data is sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards.

How much do Registered Nurse (RN)s earn in District of Columbia?

Registered Nurse (RN)s in District of Columbia earn approximately $107,590 per year, which is $18,580 above the national median of $89,010. Actual earnings depend on experience, employer, and specific location within the state.

How does District of Columbia compare to other states for Registered Nurse (RN) licensing?

District of Columbia's Registered Nurse (RN) licensing requirements can be compared against all 53 US jurisdictions on LicenseWize. Requirements including fees ($183), education (BSN or ADN), and difficulty (High) vary significantly between states. Visit the Registered Nurse (RN) occupation page to see a full state-by-state comparison.

Key Insights

•The $183 licensing fee in DC is 6% below the $195 national average for Registered Nurse (RN) licenses across 53 states.

•Registered Nurse (RN)s in DC earn $107,590/year, 21% above the national median of $89,010.

•The license fee represents just 0.17% of the annual salary, offering a strong return on the licensing investment.

•Rated "High" difficulty, this is a demanding licensing path. 3 of 26 licenses in DC share this difficulty level.

•License renewal requires 30 CE hours every 2 year(s), averaging 15 hours annually.