Washington

Washington shares 3 interstate compacts with Pennsylvania: Nurse Licensure Compact, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, Physical Therapy Compact. Some professions can transfer between these states through compact agreements, while others will require separate state licensing. Growing compact participation; no universal recognition law yet.

Washington is a member of 4 compacts: Nurse Licensure Compact, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, Physical Therapy Compact, Counseling Compact. You share 3 of these with Pennsylvania: Nurse Licensure Compact, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, Physical Therapy Compact.

Both Pennsylvania and Washington are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you hold a multistate nursing license from Pennsylvania, you can practice in Washington without obtaining a separate license.

Teaching license portability from Pennsylvania to Washington: NASDTEC member; reciprocal certification with endorsement review. Most states participate in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, but specific requirements vary by state and endorsement area.

Washington supports PE license comity through NCEES. Licensed Professional Engineers from Pennsylvania can apply for licensure by comity, which is a streamlined process using your NCEES Record. This typically requires verifying your education, exam passage, and experience meet Washington's requirements.

Expedited processing for military spouses; temporary license available. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), updated December 2024, all states are now required to recognize valid professional licenses from other states for military personnel and their spouses.

Joined NLC; expanding compact participation.

For the most current licensing requirements and compact participation details, visit the official Washington licensing page at https://www.dol.wa.gov/. Requirements and compact memberships may change as new legislation is enacted.