Compact status
Nurse Licensure Compact member
DC · Internationally educated nurses
District of Columbia RN license requirements
A researched starting point for applying to District of Columbia Board of Nursing, including education review, English rules, identification requirements, background checks, and the NCLEX sequence.
Credential evaluation
Internationally educated RN exam applicants submit the foreign nursing credentials evaluation identified in the DC Health application/checklist. Confirm the current approved service/report before ordering because the public Board landing page does not expose all checklist details.
English requirement
DC requires English proficiency evidence for applicable foreign-educated nurses, subject to the Board's current exemptions. Use the live application instructions for accepted tests and scores.
SSN requirement
A valid SSN is required for multistate licensure under NLC ULRs. DC licensing forms include SSN/tax identification disclosures; confirm the single-state alternative with DC Health if no SSN has been issued.
Background check
Initial applicants complete the DC Health/Metropolitan Police and FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check process as directed.
Education review
The Board must determine that international education is equivalent to an approved RN program; it may request translated primary-source curriculum/clinical records.
Application sequence
How to apply in District of Columbia
- 1
Use DC Health's online licensing portal and select registered nurse by examination.
- 2
Obtain the current international-graduate checklist and order its evaluation/ELP evidence.
- 3
Complete fingerprints and register separately with Pearson VUE.
- 4
DC Board reviews the complete file and authorizes ATT.
Documents to prepare
- Board-specified credentials evaluation
- English result/exemption
- Official translated education records when requested
- Fingerprint background check
- Primary-residence evidence for multistate
Verify before paying
- • DC joined the NLC effective July 25, 2024; older DC pages/forms may predate implementation.
- • A DC-issued multistate license requires DC to be the primary state of residence; otherwise the license is single-state or the nurse practices under another home-state multistate license.
Apply through the official board
This guide helps you compare requirements; it is not the application. Check the current instructions from District of Columbia Board of Nursing before ordering reports or submitting documents.
Official sources reviewed
Research checked 2026-07-22. Requirements can change.
General educational information only. The state board is the authority on licensure eligibility; immigration authorization is a separate process.