Care first. Seek urgent medical or dental attention for serious or worsening symptoms. Researching or preparing a complaint should never delay treatment.

District of Columbia · Nursing

District of Columbia Board of Nursing and DC Health HRLA

Complaint instructions checked against the linked sources, with limitations and known conflicts. Confirm that the authority covers your concern.

Authority and scope

Check the professional and concern

The Board's current site covers APRNs, RNs, LPNs, certified nurse aides, home health aides and trained medication employees. Its nursing complaint page distinguishes DC-licensed professionals from unlicensed activity. The general form directs conduct occurring outside DC to the licensing board where it happened. Use the nursing-specific destination and identify the credential involved.

Supporting guidance: DC Board of NursingDC nursing complaint instructionsHealthcare professional complaint form

Submission

How the official source says to file

  • Complete the Healthcare Professional Complaint Form, identifying the professional, yourself and patient, incident dates and locations, and a detailed description. Attach relevant supporting copies; sign and date it.
  • For a licensed nursing professional, the nursing-specific page directs mail to DC Board of Nursing, 2201 Shannon Place SE, Second Floor, Washington, DC 20020, or use its Board complaint email link.
  • For unlicensed activity, that page specifies Supervisory Investigator, DC Board of Nursing, 2201 Shannon Place SE, First Floor, Washington, DC 20020, or fax 202-724-8677. The general form also lists HRLA.ComplaintsIncidents@dc.gov.

Supporting guidance: DC nursing complaint instructionsHealthcare professional complaint form

Limits

What this route may not provide

The nursing page excludes fee disputes except billing for services not provided. The general form also excludes refund requests and explains that the Board protects the public rather than acting as a complainant's personal representative. No compensation is promised.

Supporting guidance: DC nursing complaint instructionsHealthcare professional complaint form

Anonymity

Do not guess about confidentiality

The current general professional complaint form says anonymous complaints are not accepted and complaints are made available to the licensee for response. A broader guarantee of confidentiality was not established.

Supporting guidance: Healthcare professional complaint form

Complaint timing

Filing cutoff not established; investigations may take months.

The checked sources do not specify a general nursing filing cutoff. Ask the Board promptly about your dates. The form says resolution may take several months or longer; this is not a filing period or guaranteed turnaround.

Supporting guidance: DC nursing complaint instructionsHealthcare professional complaint form

Process

What may happen after filing

The Board's flowchart shows triage, possible investigation or sanction review, and closure or disciplinary proceedings. A hearing or settlement may follow. The form says a no-violation closure is communicated in writing.

Supporting guidance: Healthcare professional complaint formDC nursing complaint review flowchart

Evidence

Prepare a reviewable submission

State the concern you want reviewed, then add a short chronology, best supporting records, factual consequences, and a specific request for review.

Read the linked authority and process information ↗

Sources and scope

Source check: September 19, 2026. This records a review of the linked material, not a decision about your case. No clinical or legal reviewer is identified for this guide. Confirm current instructions with the receiving authority.

A state authority is one checkpoint—not the entire accountability system.

Compare the available routes →