The District of Columbia Nurses Association (DCNA) strongly supports professional regulation, licensure standards, and continuing education requirements that protect patient safety and uphold the integrity of the nursing profession. Nurses understand the importance of accountability, lifelong learning, and maintaining high standards of care for the residents of the District of Columbia.

However, DCNA is deeply concerned about the inequities created by the District’s transition to a birth month/birth year-based RN/APRN renewal system.

As currently implemented, some nurses — particularly those born in certain odd years — are being required to renew more frequently during the transition period, resulting in shortened licensure terms while still being charged full renewal fees. Although continuing education requirements may be reduced for affected nurses, the financial burden remains unchanged despite nurses receiving less time on their license cycle.

To many frontline healthcare workers, this feels like paying more while receiving less.

At a time when nurses continue to face historic workforce shortages, burnout, workplace violence, rising living costs, and increasing patient acuity, additional financial strain tied to an administrative transition is both discouraging and inequitable.

DC nurses have consistently shown up for this city — during COVID-19, through behavioral health crises, emergency response situations, staffing shortages, and ongoing healthcare system challenges. Nurses remained at the bedside when communities needed them most. Policies affecting the nursing workforce should reflect fairness, respect, and an understanding of the realities nurses face every day.

DCNA believes administrative efficiency should never come at the expense of equity.

Therefore, DCNA calls on the District of Columbia Board of Nursing to immediately review and address the impact of the current renewal transition process.

DCNA Supports the Following Actions:

Prorated Renewal Fees

Renewal fees should reflect the actual length of the licensure period received during the transition.

Equitable Implementation

No group of nurses should bear a disproportionate financial burden based solely on birth year or renewal timing.

Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement

Future licensure changes should include meaningful input from nurses, nursing organizations, employers, and frontline healthcare professionals before implementation.

Public Review of the Transition Process

DCNA urges the Board to publicly explain:

How the transition is being implemented
Why certain nurses are renewing more frequently

How fairness and equity concerns will be addressed moving forward
The nursing workforce is essential to the health and safety of the District of Columbia. Policies impacting nurses should support workforce retention, morale, and sustainability — not create additional hardship.

By signing this petition, you stand with DC nurses in calling for fairness, transparency, and equity in the RN/APRN renewal process.

District of Columbia Nurses Association (DCNA)
Advocating for Nurses. Protecting Healthcare. Strengthening DC Communities.