Registered Nurse License Cost in District of Columbia 2026: $405 Fees, $112K Salary
Getting a Registered Nurse license in District of Columbia costs $405 upfront. At state-adjusted salaries, that pays back in 0.1 months.
Registered Nurse License in District of Columbia — Key Numbers
$405
Upfront Cost
$112K
Median Salary (Licensed)
$110
Renewal (every 2 yrs)
0.1 mo
Payback Period
Salary data: BLS OEWS 2024 state estimates. Fees: state licensing board schedules.
Registered Nurse License Cost Breakdown — District of Columbia
Exam fee
$200
Application fee
$130
Initial license fee
$75
Total upfront
$405
Renewal fee (every 2 yrs)
$110
CE hours required per cycle
30 hours
Salary without license (District of Columbia)
$54,600/yr
Salary with license (District of Columbia)
$111,800/yr
5-year net ROI
$286K
Licensing body: District of Columbia Board of Nursing. Verify current fees before applying — schedules change.
Registered Nurse License in District of Columbia — What to Know
District of Columbia RN salaries rank among the highest in the country. The $112K median reflects the state's strong hospital systems and above-average nursing demand. The NCLEX-RN fee is fixed nationally at $200; state application and license fees add another $500 to the upfront cost. District of Columbia has active travel nursing markets — contracted rates in major hospitals run $40–$65/hour. BSN-prepared nurses in District of Columbia command a consistent hiring premium over ADN graduates.