Travel nursing in District of Columbia
Stipend ceilings by area, compact license status, and every hospital guide in the state. Real numbers, with sources.
Housing stipend ceilings in District of Columbia
The most an agency can pay tax-free for housing is the GSA lodging rate × 7 nights. Cheapest: $791/wk (standard rate, every county not listed below). Most expensive: District of Columbia at $1,721/wk on average, $2,065/wk at peak.
| Area (county) | Housing /wk | Meals /wk | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|
District of Columbia Washington DC (also the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax, and the counties of Arlington and Fairfax, in Virginia; and the counties of Montgomery and Prince George's in Maryland) | $1,721 $1,344–$2,065 · peaks Mar, Apr, May, Jun | $644 | 8 |
Everywhere else Standard CONUS rate | $791 | $476 | 0 |
Got an offer? Decode it against the ceiling for your work ZIP and dates →
District of Columbia nursing license
District of Columbia: compact legislation pending. Pending legislation for NLC: B69. A multistate license from another state doesn't cover District of Columbia; you need a District of Columbia license by endorsement before you start.
Typical endorsement steps
- Apply for licensure by endorsement on the District of Columbia board of nursing's site.
- Verify your current license through Nursys (or your original board if it doesn't use Nursys).
- Complete the criminal background check and fingerprints if the board requires them.
- Ask whether a temporary license is available while the full application processes, and how long processing takes now.
Requirements and timelines vary. District of Columbia board contact details (NCSBN) →
Where can your license take you?
Source: NCSBN Nurse Licensure Compact map, checked 2026-10-11. Covers RN/LPN compact licensure for the 50 states and DC. Confirm with the state board before you accept an assignment.
Charting systems in District of Columbia
Certified EHR reported to CMS by 6 of 8 hospitals (2 not reported, including VA hospitals). Know the system before day one.
- Oracle Health4 · 67%
- Epic1 · 17%
- MEDITECH1 · 17%
Top travel-nurse markets in District of Columbia
- Washington, DC
- Children'S National Hospital$1,721/wk
- George Washington Univ Hospital · Oracle Health (Cerner)$1,721/wk
- Medstar Georgetown University Hospital · Oracle Health (Cerner)$1,721/wk
- Medstar Washington Hospital Center · Oracle Health (Cerner)$1,721/wk
- Sibley Memorial Hospital · Epic$1,721/wk
- United Medical Center · MEDITECH MAGIC$1,721/wk
Questions
- What is the maximum tax-free housing stipend in District of Columbia?
- Under GSA FY2027 rates it ranges from $791/week (the standard rate for counties not listed) to $2,065/week in District of Columbia at peak season. The meals and incidentals ceiling is $476/week or more depending on the area.
- Is District of Columbia a compact nursing license state?
- Compact legislation pending (Pending legislation for NLC: B69), per the NCSBN Nurse Licensure Compact map checked 2026-10-11.
- How many hospitals are in District of Columbia?
- CMS lists 8 acute care, critical access, children's and VA/DoD hospitals in District of Columbia. TravelNurseMap has living guides for 6 of them in the top travel-nurse markets.
- What EHR do hospitals in District of Columbia use?
- Of the 6 District of Columbia hospitals that reported a certified EHR to CMS for 2023–2024, 67% use Oracle Health, 17% use Epic, 17% use MEDITECH. Each hospital guide shows its own system.