2.2 Education, Military, and Out-of-State Routes E2-E4
Key Takeaways
- E2 covers LPN or RN students or graduates under the WABON route list.
- E3 covers military nursing student routes, and military medic or corpsman training may qualify through DOH review.
- E4 covers out-of-state training or nursing program graduates.
- Reviewed routes should not be treated as automatic permission to test without the required application and authorization steps.
Why Reviewed Backgrounds Need Careful Handling
WABON's route list includes several paths for candidates who are not simply completing a Washington traditional program. E2 is listed for an LPN or RN student or graduate. E3 is listed for a military nursing student. E4 is listed for out-of-state training or a nursing program graduate. The source brief also states that nursing students who meet the minimum requirement and military medic or corpsman training may qualify through Department of Health review. The key word is review. These backgrounds may support eligibility, but they do not mean the candidate should skip state credentialing instructions.
A reviewed-route candidate should separate two questions. The first question is whether the education, military, or out-of-state background can satisfy Washington's requirement. The second question is whether the candidate has completed the correct application and received Authorization to Test where required. The brief is clear that non-routine routes need a complete DOH Credentialing application and Authorization to Test before registering, and candidates cannot test without Authorization to Test where required.
That means a candidate should not use a prior transcript, military record, or out-of-state training certificate as a self-issued testing permission.
| Route | Listed background |
|---|---|
| E2 | LPN/RN student or graduate |
| E3 | Military nursing student |
| E4 | Out-of-state training or nursing program graduate |
| DOH review note | Nursing students meeting the minimum requirement and military medic/corpsman training may qualify through review |
The exam sequence still matters once the route is approved. Washington's current process has an in-person Skills Test and an online Knowledge Test. WABON says candidates should take skills first and are expected to pass skills before registering for the written test. The online knowledge test is handled by Credentia. Current Washington skills testing is handled through most training programs or WABON regional scheduling when needed.
Reviewed-route candidates may not have the same direct relationship with a Washington training program as E1 candidates, so they should pay close attention to WABON scheduling instructions for skills.
The most common risk for E2 through E4 candidates is assuming that prior experience answers every Washington question. It may answer only part of the eligibility question. Washington still controls the credentialing process, the exam sequence, and the testing authorization requirements. Keep copies of education or training records, follow the DOH credentialing instructions, wait for required authorization before registering, and enter the NAC credential number correctly in Credentia when taking competency exams. Those administrative details are not extra; they are part of using a non-routine route correctly.
Good records also make it easier to resolve a mismatch between a candidate's background and the route selected on the application. The route label should match the evidence submitted.
Which route covers an LPN or RN student or graduate according to the WABON route list in the brief?
Which candidate background may qualify through DOH review according to the brief?
What is the safest approach for an E4 out-of-state training candidate before registering for testing?