diff --git a/.changeset/four-kangaroos-appear.md b/.changeset/four-kangaroos-appear.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b8ef32ff69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/four-kangaroos-appear.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"chainlink": patch
+---
+
+Add config validation so it requires ws url when http polling disabled #bugfix
diff --git a/.changeset/moody-rules-agree.md b/.changeset/moody-rules-agree.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ef1f3bcaf6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/moody-rules-agree.md
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+---
+"chainlink": patch
+---
+
+- register polling subscription to avoid subscription leaking when rpc client gets closed.
+- add a temporary special treatment for SubscribeNewHead before we replace it with SubscribeToHeads. Add a goroutine that forwards new head from poller to caller channel.
+- fix a deadlock in poller, by using a new lock for subs slice in rpc client.
+#bugfix
diff --git a/.changeset/silly-lies-boil.md b/.changeset/silly-lies-boil.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b2a5084a36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/silly-lies-boil.md
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+---
+"chainlink": minor
+---
+
+Make websocket URL `WSURL` for `EVM.Nodes` optional, and apply logic so that:
+* If WS URL was not provided, SubscribeFilterLogs should fail with an explicit error
+* If WS URL was not provided LogBroadcaster should be disabled 
+#nops
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ccip-offchain-upgrade-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/ccip-offchain-upgrade-tests.yml
index 7536488eb9..78569fc370 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ccip-offchain-upgrade-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ccip-offchain-upgrade-tests.yml
@@ -113,6 +113,8 @@ jobs:
     if: needs.changes.outputs.src == 'true' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
     needs: [ changes ]
     environment: integration
+    outputs:
+      tag: ${{ steps.build-test-image.outputs.test_image_tag }}
     permissions:
       id-token: write
       contents: read
@@ -136,11 +138,14 @@ jobs:
           repository: smartcontractkit/ccip
           ref: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.sha || github.sha }}
       - name: Build Test Image
+        id: build-test-image
         if: needs.changes.outputs.src == 'true' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
         uses: smartcontractkit/.github/actions/ctf-build-test-image@a5e4f4c8fbb8e15ab2ad131552eca6ac83c4f4b3 # ctf-build-test-image@0.1.0
         with:
           # we just want to build the load tests
           suites: ccip-tests/load ccip-tests/smoke
+          repository: chainlink-ccip-tests
+          tag: ${{ github.sha }}
           QA_AWS_ROLE_TO_ASSUME: ${{ secrets.QA_AWS_ROLE_TO_ASSUME }}
           QA_AWS_REGION: ${{ secrets.QA_AWS_REGION }}
           QA_AWS_ACCOUNT_NUMBER: ${{ secrets.QA_AWS_ACCOUNT_NUMBER }}
@@ -249,7 +254,7 @@ jobs:
         env:
           BASE64_CONFIG_OVERRIDE: ${{ steps.set_override_config.outputs.base_64_override }},${{ steps.setup_create_base64_config_ccip.outputs.base64_config }}
           TEST_BASE64_CONFIG_OVERRIDE: ${{ steps.set_override_config.outputs.base_64_override }},${{ steps.setup_create_base64_config_ccip.outputs.base64_config }}
-          ENV_JOB_IMAGE: ${{ env.ENV_JOB_IMAGE_BASE }}:${{ github.sha }}
+          ENV_JOB_IMAGE: ${{ env.ENV_JOB_IMAGE_BASE }}:${{ needs.build-test-image.outputs.tag }}
           TEST_SUITE: smoke
           TEST_ARGS: -test.timeout 30m
           TEST_LOG_LEVEL: info
diff --git a/common/client/node.go b/common/client/node.go
index 1f55e69cac..7885fe7676 100644
--- a/common/client/node.go
+++ b/common/client/node.go
@@ -91,14 +91,14 @@ type node[
 	services.StateMachine
 	lfcLog      logger.Logger
 	name        string
-	id          int32
+	id          int
 	chainID     CHAIN_ID
 	nodePoolCfg NodeConfig
 	chainCfg    ChainConfig
 	order       int32
 	chainFamily string
 
-	ws   url.URL
+	ws   *url.URL
 	http *url.URL
 
 	rpc RPC
@@ -121,10 +121,10 @@ func NewNode[
 	nodeCfg NodeConfig,
 	chainCfg ChainConfig,
 	lggr logger.Logger,
-	wsuri url.URL,
+	wsuri *url.URL,
 	httpuri *url.URL,
 	name string,
-	id int32,
+	id int,
 	chainID CHAIN_ID,
 	nodeOrder int32,
 	rpc RPC,
@@ -136,8 +136,10 @@ func NewNode[
 	n.chainID = chainID
 	n.nodePoolCfg = nodeCfg
 	n.chainCfg = chainCfg
-	n.ws = wsuri
 	n.order = nodeOrder
+	if wsuri != nil {
+		n.ws = wsuri
+	}
 	if httpuri != nil {
 		n.http = httpuri
 	}
@@ -157,7 +159,10 @@ func NewNode[
 }
 
 func (n *node[CHAIN_ID, HEAD, RPC]) String() string {
-	s := fmt.Sprintf("(%s)%s:%s", Primary.String(), n.name, n.ws.String())
+	s := fmt.Sprintf("(%s)%s", Primary.String(), n.name)
+	if n.ws != nil {
+		s = s + fmt.Sprintf(":%s", n.ws.String())
+	}
 	if n.http != nil {
 		s = s + fmt.Sprintf(":%s", n.http.String())
 	}
diff --git a/common/client/node_test.go b/common/client/node_test.go
index 66bb50fc94..539964691c 100644
--- a/common/client/node_test.go
+++ b/common/client/node_test.go
@@ -67,10 +67,10 @@ type testNodeOpts struct {
 	config      testNodeConfig
 	chainConfig clientMocks.ChainConfig
 	lggr        logger.Logger
-	wsuri       url.URL
+	wsuri       *url.URL
 	httpuri     *url.URL
 	name        string
-	id          int32
+	id          int
 	chainID     types.ID
 	nodeOrder   int32
 	rpc         *mockNodeClient[types.ID, Head]
diff --git a/core/chains/evm/client/config_builder.go b/core/chains/evm/client/config_builder.go
index 9a31f9e4b4..66bdfc2614 100644
--- a/core/chains/evm/client/config_builder.go
+++ b/core/chains/evm/client/config_builder.go
@@ -80,15 +80,21 @@ func NewClientConfigs(
 func parseNodeConfigs(nodeCfgs []NodeConfig) ([]*toml.Node, error) {
 	nodes := make([]*toml.Node, len(nodeCfgs))
 	for i, nodeCfg := range nodeCfgs {
-		if nodeCfg.WSURL == nil || nodeCfg.HTTPURL == nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("node config [%d]: missing WS or HTTP URL", i)
+		var wsURL, httpURL *commonconfig.URL
+		// wsUrl requirement will be checked in EVMConfig validation
+		if nodeCfg.WSURL != nil {
+			wsURL = commonconfig.MustParseURL(*nodeCfg.WSURL)
 		}
-		wsUrl := commonconfig.MustParseURL(*nodeCfg.WSURL)
-		httpUrl := commonconfig.MustParseURL(*nodeCfg.HTTPURL)
+
+		if nodeCfg.HTTPURL == nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("node config [%d]: missing HTTP URL", i)
+		}
+
+		httpURL = commonconfig.MustParseURL(*nodeCfg.HTTPURL)
 		node := &toml.Node{
 			Name:     nodeCfg.Name,
-			WSURL:    wsUrl,
-			HTTPURL:  httpUrl,
+			WSURL:    wsURL,
+			HTTPURL:  httpURL,
 			SendOnly: nodeCfg.SendOnly,
 			Order:    nodeCfg.Order,
 		}
diff --git a/core/chains/evm/client/config_builder_test.go b/core/chains/evm/client/config_builder_test.go
index 0339131171..ac12a63fbe 100644
--- a/core/chains/evm/client/config_builder_test.go
+++ b/core/chains/evm/client/config_builder_test.go
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ func TestNodeConfigs(t *testing.T) {
 		require.Len(t, tomlNodes, len(nodeConfigs))
 	})
 
-	t.Run("parsing missing ws url fails", func(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("ws can be optional", func(t *testing.T) {
 		nodeConfigs := []client.NodeConfig{
 			{
 				Name:    ptr("foo1"),
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ func TestNodeConfigs(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		}
 		_, err := client.ParseTestNodeConfigs(nodeConfigs)
-		require.Error(t, err)
+		require.Nil(t, err)
 	})
 
 	t.Run("parsing missing http url fails", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/core/chains/evm/client/evm_client.go b/core/chains/evm/client/evm_client.go
index c26362d635..c596bbc3a9 100644
--- a/core/chains/evm/client/evm_client.go
+++ b/core/chains/evm/client/evm_client.go
@@ -15,22 +15,25 @@ import (
 )
 
 func NewEvmClient(cfg evmconfig.NodePool, chainCfg commonclient.ChainConfig, clientErrors evmconfig.ClientErrors, lggr logger.Logger, chainID *big.Int, nodes []*toml.Node, chainType chaintype.ChainType) Client {
-	var empty url.URL
 	var primaries []commonclient.Node[*big.Int, *evmtypes.Head, RPCClient]
 	var sendonlys []commonclient.SendOnlyNode[*big.Int, RPCClient]
 	largePayloadRPCTimeout, defaultRPCTimeout := getRPCTimeouts(chainType)
 	for i, node := range nodes {
+		var ws *url.URL
+		if node.WSURL != nil {
+			ws = (*url.URL)(node.WSURL)
+		}
 		if node.SendOnly != nil && *node.SendOnly {
-			rpc := NewRPCClient(lggr, empty, (*url.URL)(node.HTTPURL), *node.Name, int32(i), chainID,
+			rpc := NewRPCClient(lggr, nil, (*url.URL)(node.HTTPURL), *node.Name, i, chainID,
 				commonclient.Secondary, cfg.FinalizedBlockPollInterval(), cfg.NewHeadsPollInterval(), largePayloadRPCTimeout, defaultRPCTimeout, chainType)
 			sendonly := commonclient.NewSendOnlyNode(lggr, (url.URL)(*node.HTTPURL),
 				*node.Name, chainID, rpc)
 			sendonlys = append(sendonlys, sendonly)
 		} else {
-			rpc := NewRPCClient(lggr, (url.URL)(*node.WSURL), (*url.URL)(node.HTTPURL), *node.Name, int32(i),
+			rpc := NewRPCClient(lggr, ws, (*url.URL)(node.HTTPURL), *node.Name, i,
 				chainID, commonclient.Primary, cfg.FinalizedBlockPollInterval(), cfg.NewHeadsPollInterval(), largePayloadRPCTimeout, defaultRPCTimeout, chainType)
 			primaryNode := commonclient.NewNode(cfg, chainCfg,
-				lggr, (url.URL)(*node.WSURL), (*url.URL)(node.HTTPURL), *node.Name, int32(i), chainID, *node.Order,
+				lggr, ws, (*url.URL)(node.HTTPURL), *node.Name, i, chainID, *node.Order,
 				rpc, "EVM")
 			primaries = append(primaries, primaryNode)
 		}
diff --git a/core/chains/evm/client/helpers_test.go b/core/chains/evm/client/helpers_test.go
index 031f648157..1a6090e4a0 100644
--- a/core/chains/evm/client/helpers_test.go
+++ b/core/chains/evm/client/helpers_test.go
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ func NewChainClientWithTestNode(
 	rpcUrl string,
 	rpcHTTPURL *url.URL,
 	sendonlyRPCURLs []url.URL,
-	id int32,
+	id int,
 	chainID *big.Int,
 ) (Client, error) {
 	parsed, err := url.ParseRequestURI(rpcUrl)
@@ -148,10 +148,10 @@ func NewChainClientWithTestNode(
 	}
 
 	lggr := logger.Test(t)
-	rpc := NewRPCClient(lggr, *parsed, rpcHTTPURL, "eth-primary-rpc-0", id, chainID, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+	rpc := NewRPCClient(lggr, parsed, rpcHTTPURL, "eth-primary-rpc-0", id, chainID, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 
 	n := commonclient.NewNode[*big.Int, *evmtypes.Head, RPCClient](
-		nodeCfg, clientMocks.ChainConfig{NoNewHeadsThresholdVal: noNewHeadsThreshold}, lggr, *parsed, rpcHTTPURL, "eth-primary-node-0", id, chainID, 1, rpc, "EVM")
+		nodeCfg, clientMocks.ChainConfig{NoNewHeadsThresholdVal: noNewHeadsThreshold}, lggr, parsed, rpcHTTPURL, "eth-primary-node-0", id, chainID, 1, rpc, "EVM")
 	primaries := []commonclient.Node[*big.Int, *evmtypes.Head, RPCClient]{n}
 
 	var sendonlys []commonclient.SendOnlyNode[*big.Int, RPCClient]
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ func NewChainClientWithTestNode(
 			return nil, pkgerrors.Errorf("sendonly ethereum rpc url scheme must be http(s): %s", u.String())
 		}
 		var empty url.URL
-		rpc := NewRPCClient(lggr, empty, &sendonlyRPCURLs[i], fmt.Sprintf("eth-sendonly-rpc-%d", i), id, chainID, commonclient.Secondary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		rpc := NewRPCClient(lggr, &empty, &sendonlyRPCURLs[i], fmt.Sprintf("eth-sendonly-rpc-%d", i), id, chainID, commonclient.Secondary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 		s := commonclient.NewSendOnlyNode[*big.Int, RPCClient](
 			lggr, u, fmt.Sprintf("eth-sendonly-%d", i), chainID, rpc)
 		sendonlys = append(sendonlys, s)
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ func NewChainClientWithMockedRpc(
 	parsed, _ := url.ParseRequestURI("ws://test")
 
 	n := commonclient.NewNode[*big.Int, *evmtypes.Head, RPCClient](
-		cfg, clientMocks.ChainConfig{NoNewHeadsThresholdVal: noNewHeadsThreshold}, lggr, *parsed, nil, "eth-primary-node-0", 1, chainID, 1, rpc, "EVM")
+		cfg, clientMocks.ChainConfig{NoNewHeadsThresholdVal: noNewHeadsThreshold}, lggr, parsed, nil, "eth-primary-node-0", 1, chainID, 1, rpc, "EVM")
 	primaries := []commonclient.Node[*big.Int, *evmtypes.Head, RPCClient]{n}
 	clientErrors := NewTestClientErrors()
 	c := NewChainClient(lggr, selectionMode, leaseDuration, noNewHeadsThreshold, primaries, nil, chainID, chainType, &clientErrors, 0)
diff --git a/core/chains/evm/client/rpc_client.go b/core/chains/evm/client/rpc_client.go
index 763348173a..f55c35980d 100644
--- a/core/chains/evm/client/rpc_client.go
+++ b/core/chains/evm/client/rpc_client.go
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ type rawclient struct {
 type rpcClient struct {
 	rpcLog                     logger.SugaredLogger
 	name                       string
-	id                         int32
+	id                         int
 	chainID                    *big.Int
 	tier                       commonclient.NodeTier
 	largePayloadRpcTimeout     time.Duration
@@ -126,10 +126,11 @@ type rpcClient struct {
 	newHeadsPollInterval       time.Duration
 	chainType                  chaintype.ChainType
 
-	ws   rawclient
+	ws   *rawclient
 	http *rawclient
 
-	stateMu sync.RWMutex // protects state* fields
+	stateMu     sync.RWMutex // protects state* fields
+	subsSliceMu sync.RWMutex // protects subscription slice
 
 	// Need to track subscriptions because closing the RPC does not (always?)
 	// close the underlying subscription
@@ -153,10 +154,10 @@ type rpcClient struct {
 // NewRPCCLient returns a new *rpcClient as commonclient.RPC
 func NewRPCClient(
 	lggr logger.Logger,
-	wsuri url.URL,
+	wsuri *url.URL,
 	httpuri *url.URL,
 	name string,
-	id int32,
+	id int,
 	chainID *big.Int,
 	tier commonclient.NodeTier,
 	finalizedBlockPollInterval time.Duration,
@@ -174,9 +175,11 @@ func NewRPCClient(
 	r.id = id
 	r.chainID = chainID
 	r.tier = tier
-	r.ws.uri = wsuri
 	r.finalizedBlockPollInterval = finalizedBlockPollInterval
 	r.newHeadsPollInterval = newHeadsPollInterval
+	if wsuri != nil {
+		r.ws = &rawclient{uri: *wsuri}
+	}
 	if httpuri != nil {
 		r.http = &rawclient{uri: *httpuri}
 	}
@@ -198,30 +201,33 @@ func (r *rpcClient) Dial(callerCtx context.Context) error {
 	ctx, cancel := r.makeQueryCtx(callerCtx, r.rpcTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	promEVMPoolRPCNodeDials.WithLabelValues(r.chainID.String(), r.name).Inc()
-	lggr := r.rpcLog.With("wsuri", r.ws.uri.Redacted())
-	if r.http != nil {
-		lggr = lggr.With("httpuri", r.http.uri.Redacted())
+	if r.ws == nil && r.http == nil {
+		return errors.New("cannot dial rpc client when both ws and http info are missing")
 	}
-	lggr.Debugw("RPC dial: evmclient.Client#dial")
 
-	wsrpc, err := rpc.DialWebsocket(ctx, r.ws.uri.String(), "")
-	if err != nil {
-		promEVMPoolRPCNodeDialsFailed.WithLabelValues(r.chainID.String(), r.name).Inc()
-		return r.wrapRPCClientError(pkgerrors.Wrapf(err, "error while dialing websocket: %v", r.ws.uri.Redacted()))
-	}
+	promEVMPoolRPCNodeDials.WithLabelValues(r.chainID.String(), r.name).Inc()
+	lggr := r.rpcLog
+	if r.ws != nil {
+		lggr = lggr.With("wsuri", r.ws.uri.Redacted())
+		wsrpc, err := rpc.DialWebsocket(ctx, r.ws.uri.String(), "")
+		if err != nil {
+			promEVMPoolRPCNodeDialsFailed.WithLabelValues(r.chainID.String(), r.name).Inc()
+			return r.wrapRPCClientError(pkgerrors.Wrapf(err, "error while dialing websocket: %v", r.ws.uri.Redacted()))
+		}
 
-	r.ws.rpc = wsrpc
-	r.ws.geth = ethclient.NewClient(wsrpc)
+		r.ws.rpc = wsrpc
+		r.ws.geth = ethclient.NewClient(wsrpc)
+	}
 
 	if r.http != nil {
+		lggr = lggr.With("httpuri", r.http.uri.Redacted())
 		if err := r.DialHTTP(); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
+	lggr.Debugw("RPC dial: evmclient.Client#dial")
 	promEVMPoolRPCNodeDialsSuccess.WithLabelValues(r.chainID.String(), r.name).Inc()
-
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -230,7 +236,7 @@ func (r *rpcClient) Dial(callerCtx context.Context) error {
 // It can only return error if the URL is malformed.
 func (r *rpcClient) DialHTTP() error {
 	promEVMPoolRPCNodeDials.WithLabelValues(r.chainID.String(), r.name).Inc()
-	lggr := r.rpcLog.With("httpuri", r.ws.uri.Redacted())
+	lggr := r.rpcLog.With("httpuri", r.http.uri.Redacted())
 	lggr.Debugw("RPC dial: evmclient.Client#dial")
 
 	var httprpc *rpc.Client
@@ -250,7 +256,7 @@ func (r *rpcClient) DialHTTP() error {
 
 func (r *rpcClient) Close() {
 	defer func() {
-		if r.ws.rpc != nil {
+		if r.ws != nil && r.ws.rpc != nil {
 			r.ws.rpc.Close()
 		}
 	}()
@@ -269,7 +275,10 @@ func (r *rpcClient) cancelInflightRequests() {
 }
 
 func (r *rpcClient) String() string {
-	s := fmt.Sprintf("(%s)%s:%s", r.tier.String(), r.name, r.ws.uri.Redacted())
+	s := fmt.Sprintf("(%s)%s", r.tier.String(), r.name)
+	if r.ws != nil {
+		s = s + fmt.Sprintf(":%s", r.ws.uri.Redacted())
+	}
 	if r.http != nil {
 		s = s + fmt.Sprintf(":%s", r.http.uri.Redacted())
 	}
@@ -317,8 +326,8 @@ func (r *rpcClient) getRPCDomain() string {
 
 // registerSub adds the sub to the rpcClient list
 func (r *rpcClient) registerSub(sub ethereum.Subscription, stopInFLightCh chan struct{}) error {
-	r.stateMu.Lock()
-	defer r.stateMu.Unlock()
+	r.subsSliceMu.Lock()
+	defer r.subsSliceMu.Unlock()
 	// ensure that the `sub` belongs to current life cycle of the `rpcClient` and it should not be killed due to
 	// previous `DisconnectAll` call.
 	select {
@@ -335,12 +344,16 @@ func (r *rpcClient) registerSub(sub ethereum.Subscription, stopInFLightCh chan s
 // DisconnectAll disconnects all clients connected to the rpcClient
 func (r *rpcClient) DisconnectAll() {
 	r.stateMu.Lock()
-	defer r.stateMu.Unlock()
-	if r.ws.rpc != nil {
+	if r.ws != nil && r.ws.rpc != nil {
 		r.ws.rpc.Close()
 	}
 	r.cancelInflightRequests()
+	r.stateMu.Unlock()
+
+	r.subsSliceMu.Lock()
 	r.unsubscribeAll()
+	r.subsSliceMu.Unlock()
+
 	r.chainInfoLock.Lock()
 	r.latestChainInfo = commonclient.ChainInfo{}
 	r.chainInfoLock.Unlock()
@@ -492,19 +505,41 @@ func (r *rpcClient) SubscribeNewHead(ctx context.Context, channel chan<- *evmtyp
 	defer cancel()
 	args := []interface{}{"newHeads"}
 	lggr := r.newRqLggr().With("args", args)
-
 	if r.newHeadsPollInterval > 0 {
 		interval := r.newHeadsPollInterval
 		timeout := interval
-		poller, _ := commonclient.NewPoller[*evmtypes.Head](interval, r.latestBlock, timeout, r.rpcLog)
+		poller, pollerCh := commonclient.NewPoller[*evmtypes.Head](interval, r.latestBlock, timeout, r.rpcLog)
 		if err = poller.Start(ctx); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 
+		// NOTE this is a temporary special treatment for SubscribeNewHead before we refactor head tracker to use SubscribeToHeads
+		// as we need to forward new head from the poller channel to the channel passed from caller.
+		go func() {
+			for head := range pollerCh {
+				select {
+				case channel <- head:
+					// forwarding new head to the channel passed from caller
+				case <-poller.Err():
+					// return as poller returns error
+					return
+				}
+			}
+		}()
+
+		err = r.registerSub(&poller, chStopInFlight)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
 		lggr.Debugf("Polling new heads over http")
 		return &poller, nil
 	}
 
+	if ws == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("SubscribeNewHead is not allowed without ws url")
+	}
+
 	lggr.Debug("RPC call: evmclient.Client#EthSubscribe")
 	start := time.Now()
 	defer func() {
@@ -533,7 +568,6 @@ func (r *rpcClient) SubscribeNewHead(ctx context.Context, channel chan<- *evmtyp
 func (r *rpcClient) SubscribeToHeads(ctx context.Context) (ch <-chan *evmtypes.Head, sub commontypes.Subscription, err error) {
 	ctx, cancel, chStopInFlight, ws, _ := r.acquireQueryCtx(ctx, r.rpcTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
-
 	args := []interface{}{rpcSubscriptionMethodNewHeads}
 	start := time.Now()
 	lggr := r.newRqLggr().With("args", args)
@@ -547,10 +581,19 @@ func (r *rpcClient) SubscribeToHeads(ctx context.Context) (ch <-chan *evmtypes.H
 			return nil, nil, err
 		}
 
+		err = r.registerSub(&poller, chStopInFlight)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+
 		lggr.Debugf("Polling new heads over http")
 		return channel, &poller, nil
 	}
 
+	if ws == nil {
+		return nil, nil, errors.New("SubscribeNewHead is not allowed without ws url")
+	}
+
 	lggr.Debug("RPC call: evmclient.Client#EthSubscribe")
 	defer func() {
 		duration := time.Since(start)
@@ -579,6 +622,8 @@ func (r *rpcClient) SubscribeToHeads(ctx context.Context) (ch <-chan *evmtypes.H
 }
 
 func (r *rpcClient) SubscribeToFinalizedHeads(ctx context.Context) (<-chan *evmtypes.Head, commontypes.Subscription, error) {
+	ctx, cancel, chStopInFlight, _, _ := r.acquireQueryCtx(ctx, r.rpcTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
 	interval := r.finalizedBlockPollInterval
 	if interval == 0 {
 		return nil, nil, errors.New("FinalizedBlockPollInterval is 0")
@@ -588,6 +633,12 @@ func (r *rpcClient) SubscribeToFinalizedHeads(ctx context.Context) (<-chan *evmt
 	if err := poller.Start(ctx); err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
+
+	err := r.registerSub(&poller, chStopInFlight)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+
 	return channel, &poller, nil
 }
 
@@ -1249,6 +1300,9 @@ func (r *rpcClient) ClientVersion(ctx context.Context) (version string, err erro
 func (r *rpcClient) SubscribeFilterLogs(ctx context.Context, q ethereum.FilterQuery, ch chan<- types.Log) (_ ethereum.Subscription, err error) {
 	ctx, cancel, chStopInFlight, ws, _ := r.acquireQueryCtx(ctx, r.rpcTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
+	if ws == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("SubscribeFilterLogs is not allowed without ws url")
+	}
 	lggr := r.newRqLggr().With("q", q)
 
 	lggr.Debug("RPC call: evmclient.Client#SubscribeFilterLogs")
@@ -1353,18 +1407,21 @@ func (r *rpcClient) wrapHTTP(err error) error {
 }
 
 // makeLiveQueryCtxAndSafeGetClients wraps makeQueryCtx
-func (r *rpcClient) makeLiveQueryCtxAndSafeGetClients(parentCtx context.Context, timeout time.Duration) (ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc, ws rawclient, http *rawclient) {
+func (r *rpcClient) makeLiveQueryCtxAndSafeGetClients(parentCtx context.Context, timeout time.Duration) (ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc, ws *rawclient, http *rawclient) {
 	ctx, cancel, _, ws, http = r.acquireQueryCtx(parentCtx, timeout)
 	return
 }
 
 func (r *rpcClient) acquireQueryCtx(parentCtx context.Context, timeout time.Duration) (ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc,
-	chStopInFlight chan struct{}, ws rawclient, http *rawclient) {
+	chStopInFlight chan struct{}, ws *rawclient, http *rawclient) {
 	// Need to wrap in mutex because state transition can cancel and replace the
 	// context
 	r.stateMu.RLock()
 	chStopInFlight = r.chStopInFlight
-	ws = r.ws
+	if r.ws != nil {
+		cp := *r.ws
+		ws = &cp
+	}
 	if r.http != nil {
 		cp := *r.http
 		http = &cp
diff --git a/core/chains/evm/client/rpc_client_test.go b/core/chains/evm/client/rpc_client_test.go
index b594a0ca16..662c757ffb 100644
--- a/core/chains/evm/client/rpc_client_test.go
+++ b/core/chains/evm/client/rpc_client_test.go
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/tidwall/gjson"
 	"go.uber.org/zap"
 
+	commontypes "github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/v2/common/types"
+
 	"github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink-common/pkg/utils/tests"
 
 	"github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink-common/pkg/logger"
@@ -57,11 +59,37 @@ func TestRPCClient_SubscribeNewHead(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		return
 	}
+
+	checkClosedRPCClientShouldRemoveExistingSub := func(t tests.TestingT, ctx context.Context, sub commontypes.Subscription, rpcClient client.RPCClient) {
+		errCh := sub.Err()
+
+		// ensure sub exists
+		require.Equal(t, int32(1), rpcClient.SubscribersCount())
+		rpcClient.DisconnectAll()
+
+		// ensure sub is closed
+		select {
+		case <-errCh: // ok
+		default:
+			assert.Fail(t, "channel should be closed")
+		}
+
+		require.NoError(t, rpcClient.Dial(ctx))
+		require.Equal(t, int32(0), rpcClient.SubscribersCount())
+	}
+
+	t.Run("WS and HTTP URL cannot be both empty", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// ws is optional when LogBroadcaster is disabled, however SubscribeFilterLogs will return error if ws is missing
+		observedLggr, _ := logger.TestObserved(t, zap.DebugLevel)
+		rpcClient := client.NewRPCClient(observedLggr, nil, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		require.Equal(t, errors.New("cannot dial rpc client when both ws and http info are missing"), rpcClient.Dial(ctx))
+	})
+
 	t.Run("Updates chain info on new blocks", func(t *testing.T) {
 		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, serverCallBack)
 		wsURL := server.WSURL()
 
-		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, *wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 		defer rpc.Close()
 		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
 		// set to default values
@@ -111,7 +139,7 @@ func TestRPCClient_SubscribeNewHead(t *testing.T) {
 		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, serverCallBack)
 		wsURL := server.WSURL()
 
-		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, *wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 		defer rpc.Close()
 		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
 		ch := make(chan *evmtypes.Head)
@@ -131,12 +159,56 @@ func TestRPCClient_SubscribeNewHead(t *testing.T) {
 		assert.Equal(t, int64(0), highestUserObservations.FinalizedBlockNumber)
 		assert.Equal(t, (*big.Int)(nil), highestUserObservations.TotalDifficulty)
 	})
+	t.Run("SubscribeToHeads with http polling enabled will update new heads", func(t *testing.T) {
+		type rpcServer struct {
+			Head *evmtypes.Head
+			URL  *url.URL
+		}
+		createRPCServer := func() *rpcServer {
+			server := &rpcServer{}
+			server.Head = &evmtypes.Head{Number: 127}
+			server.URL = testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, func(method string, params gjson.Result) (resp testutils.JSONRPCResponse) {
+				assert.Equal(t, "eth_getBlockByNumber", method)
+				if assert.True(t, params.IsArray()) && assert.Equal(t, "latest", params.Array()[0].String()) {
+					head := server.Head
+					jsonHead, err := json.Marshal(head)
+					if err != nil {
+						panic(fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal head: %w", err))
+					}
+					resp.Result = string(jsonHead)
+				}
+
+				return
+			}).WSURL()
+			return server
+		}
+
+		server := createRPCServer()
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, server.URL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, tests.TestInterval, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		defer rpc.Close()
+		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
+		latest, highestUserObservations := rpc.GetInterceptedChainInfo()
+		// latest chain info hasn't been initialized
+		assert.Equal(t, int64(0), latest.BlockNumber)
+		assert.Equal(t, int64(0), highestUserObservations.BlockNumber)
+
+		headCh, sub, err := rpc.SubscribeToHeads(commonclient.CtxAddHealthCheckFlag(tests.Context(t)))
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer sub.Unsubscribe()
+
+		head := <-headCh
+		assert.Equal(t, server.Head.Number, head.BlockNumber())
+		// the http polling subscription should update the head block
+		latest, highestUserObservations = rpc.GetInterceptedChainInfo()
+		assert.Equal(t, server.Head.Number, latest.BlockNumber)
+		assert.Equal(t, server.Head.Number, highestUserObservations.BlockNumber)
+	})
 	t.Run("Concurrent Unsubscribe and onNewHead calls do not lead to a deadlock", func(t *testing.T) {
 		const numberOfAttempts = 1000 // need a large number to increase the odds of reproducing the issue
 		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, serverCallBack)
 		wsURL := server.WSURL()
 
-		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, *wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 		defer rpc.Close()
 		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
 		var wg sync.WaitGroup
@@ -160,7 +232,7 @@ func TestRPCClient_SubscribeNewHead(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("Block's chain ID matched configured", func(t *testing.T) {
 		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, serverCallBack)
 		wsURL := server.WSURL()
-		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, *wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 		defer rpc.Close()
 		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
 		ch := make(chan *evmtypes.Head)
@@ -177,17 +249,79 @@ func TestRPCClient_SubscribeNewHead(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 		wsURL := server.WSURL()
 		observedLggr, observed := logger.TestObserved(t, zap.DebugLevel)
-		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(observedLggr, *wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(observedLggr, wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
 		server.Close()
 		_, err := rpc.SubscribeNewHead(ctx, make(chan *evmtypes.Head))
 		require.ErrorContains(t, err, "RPCClient returned error (rpc)")
 		tests.AssertLogEventually(t, observed, "evmclient.Client#EthSubscribe RPC call failure")
 	})
+	t.Run("Closed rpc client should remove existing SubscribeNewHead subscription with WS", func(t *testing.T) {
+		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, serverCallBack)
+		wsURL := server.WSURL()
+
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		defer rpc.Close()
+		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
+
+		ch := make(chan *evmtypes.Head)
+		sub, err := rpc.SubscribeNewHead(tests.Context(t), ch)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		checkClosedRPCClientShouldRemoveExistingSub(t, ctx, sub, rpc)
+	})
+	t.Run("Closed rpc client should remove existing SubscribeNewHead subscription with HTTP polling", func(t *testing.T) {
+		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, serverCallBack)
+		wsURL := server.WSURL()
+
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, &url.URL{}, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 1, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		defer rpc.Close()
+		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
+
+		ch := make(chan *evmtypes.Head)
+		sub, err := rpc.SubscribeNewHead(tests.Context(t), ch)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		checkClosedRPCClientShouldRemoveExistingSub(t, ctx, sub, rpc)
+	})
+	t.Run("Closed rpc client should remove existing SubscribeToHeads subscription with WS", func(t *testing.T) {
+		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, serverCallBack)
+		wsURL := server.WSURL()
+
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		defer rpc.Close()
+		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
+
+		_, sub, err := rpc.SubscribeToHeads(tests.Context(t))
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		checkClosedRPCClientShouldRemoveExistingSub(t, ctx, sub, rpc)
+	})
+	t.Run("Closed rpc client should remove existing SubscribeToHeads subscription with HTTP polling", func(t *testing.T) {
+		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, serverCallBack)
+		wsURL := server.WSURL()
+
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, &url.URL{}, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 1, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		defer rpc.Close()
+		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
+
+		_, sub, err := rpc.SubscribeToHeads(tests.Context(t))
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		checkClosedRPCClientShouldRemoveExistingSub(t, ctx, sub, rpc)
+	})
+	t.Run("Closed rpc client should remove existing SubscribeToFinalizedHeads subscription", func(t *testing.T) {
+		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, serverCallBack)
+		wsURL := server.WSURL()
+
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, &url.URL{}, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 1, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		defer rpc.Close()
+		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
+
+		_, sub, err := rpc.SubscribeToFinalizedHeads(tests.Context(t))
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		checkClosedRPCClientShouldRemoveExistingSub(t, ctx, sub, rpc)
+	})
 	t.Run("Subscription error is properly wrapper", func(t *testing.T) {
 		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, serverCallBack)
 		wsURL := server.WSURL()
-		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, *wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 		defer rpc.Close()
 		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
 		sub, err := rpc.SubscribeNewHead(ctx, make(chan *evmtypes.Head))
@@ -209,13 +343,22 @@ func TestRPCClient_SubscribeFilterLogs(t *testing.T) {
 	lggr := logger.Test(t)
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(tests.Context(t), tests.WaitTimeout(t))
 	defer cancel()
+	t.Run("Failed SubscribeFilterLogs when WSURL is empty", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// ws is optional when LogBroadcaster is disabled, however SubscribeFilterLogs will return error if ws is missing
+		observedLggr, _ := logger.TestObserved(t, zap.DebugLevel)
+		rpcClient := client.NewRPCClient(observedLggr, nil, &url.URL{}, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		require.Nil(t, rpcClient.Dial(ctx))
+
+		_, err := rpcClient.SubscribeFilterLogs(ctx, ethereum.FilterQuery{}, make(chan types.Log))
+		require.Equal(t, errors.New("SubscribeFilterLogs is not allowed without ws url"), err)
+	})
 	t.Run("Failed SubscribeFilterLogs logs and returns proper error", func(t *testing.T) {
 		server := testutils.NewWSServer(t, chainId, func(reqMethod string, reqParams gjson.Result) (resp testutils.JSONRPCResponse) {
 			return resp
 		})
 		wsURL := server.WSURL()
 		observedLggr, observed := logger.TestObserved(t, zap.DebugLevel)
-		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(observedLggr, *wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(observedLggr, wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
 		server.Close()
 		_, err := rpc.SubscribeFilterLogs(ctx, ethereum.FilterQuery{}, make(chan types.Log))
@@ -232,7 +375,7 @@ func TestRPCClient_SubscribeFilterLogs(t *testing.T) {
 			return resp
 		})
 		wsURL := server.WSURL()
-		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, *wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+		rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 		defer rpc.Close()
 		require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
 		sub, err := rpc.SubscribeFilterLogs(ctx, ethereum.FilterQuery{}, make(chan types.Log))
@@ -281,7 +424,7 @@ func TestRPCClient_LatestFinalizedBlock(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	server := createRPCServer()
-	rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, *server.URL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
+	rpc := client.NewRPCClient(lggr, server.URL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, "")
 	require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
 	defer rpc.Close()
 	server.Head = &evmtypes.Head{Number: 128}
@@ -391,7 +534,7 @@ func TestRpcClientLargePayloadTimeout(t *testing.T) {
 			// use something unreasonably large for RPC timeout to ensure that we use largePayloadRPCTimeout
 			const rpcTimeout = time.Hour
 			const largePayloadRPCTimeout = tests.TestInterval
-			rpc := client.NewRPCClient(logger.Test(t), *rpcURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, largePayloadRPCTimeout, rpcTimeout, "")
+			rpc := client.NewRPCClient(logger.Test(t), rpcURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, largePayloadRPCTimeout, rpcTimeout, "")
 			require.NoError(t, rpc.Dial(ctx))
 			defer rpc.Close()
 			err := testCase.Fn(ctx, rpc)
@@ -431,7 +574,7 @@ func TestAstarCustomFinality(t *testing.T) {
 
 	const expectedFinalizedBlockNumber = int64(4)
 	const expectedFinalizedBlockHash = "0x7441e97acf83f555e0deefef86db636bc8a37eb84747603412884e4df4d22804"
-	rpcClient := client.NewRPCClient(logger.Test(t), *wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, chaintype.ChainAstar)
+	rpcClient := client.NewRPCClient(logger.Test(t), wsURL, nil, "rpc", 1, chainId, commonclient.Primary, 0, 0, commonclient.QueryTimeout, commonclient.QueryTimeout, chaintype.ChainAstar)
 	defer rpcClient.Close()
 	err := rpcClient.Dial(tests.Context(t))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
diff --git a/core/chains/evm/config/toml/config.go b/core/chains/evm/config/toml/config.go
index fd4039f5ea..480d94d5d4 100644
--- a/core/chains/evm/config/toml/config.go
+++ b/core/chains/evm/config/toml/config.go
@@ -23,7 +23,9 @@ import (
 	"github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/v2/core/chains/evm/utils/big"
 )
 
-var ErrNotFound = errors.New("not found")
+var (
+	ErrNotFound = errors.New("not found")
+)
 
 type HasEVMConfigs interface {
 	EVMConfigs() EVMConfigs
@@ -311,16 +313,38 @@ func (c *EVMConfig) ValidateConfig() (err error) {
 		err = multierr.Append(err, commonconfig.ErrMissing{Name: "Nodes", Msg: "must have at least one node"})
 	} else {
 		var hasPrimary bool
-		for _, n := range c.Nodes {
+		var logBroadcasterEnabled bool
+		var newHeadsPollingInterval commonconfig.Duration
+		if c.LogBroadcasterEnabled != nil {
+			logBroadcasterEnabled = *c.LogBroadcasterEnabled
+		}
+
+		if c.NodePool.NewHeadsPollInterval != nil {
+			newHeadsPollingInterval = *c.NodePool.NewHeadsPollInterval
+		}
+
+		for i, n := range c.Nodes {
 			if n.SendOnly != nil && *n.SendOnly {
 				continue
 			}
+
 			hasPrimary = true
-			break
+
+			// if the node is a primary node, then the WS URL is required when
+			//	1. LogBroadcaster is enabled
+			//	2. The http polling is disabled (newHeadsPollingInterval == 0)
+			if n.WSURL == nil || n.WSURL.IsZero() {
+				if logBroadcasterEnabled {
+					err = multierr.Append(err, commonconfig.ErrMissing{Name: "Nodes", Msg: fmt.Sprintf("%vth node (primary) must have a valid WSURL when LogBroadcaster is enabled", i)})
+				} else if newHeadsPollingInterval.Duration() == 0 {
+					err = multierr.Append(err, commonconfig.ErrMissing{Name: "Nodes", Msg: fmt.Sprintf("%vth node (primary) must have a valid WSURL when http polling is disabled", i)})
+				}
+			}
 		}
+
 		if !hasPrimary {
 			err = multierr.Append(err, commonconfig.ErrMissing{Name: "Nodes",
-				Msg: "must have at least one primary node with WSURL"})
+				Msg: "must have at least one primary node"})
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -971,19 +995,8 @@ func (n *Node) ValidateConfig() (err error) {
 		err = multierr.Append(err, commonconfig.ErrEmpty{Name: "Name", Msg: "required for all nodes"})
 	}
 
-	var sendOnly bool
-	if n.SendOnly != nil {
-		sendOnly = *n.SendOnly
-	}
-	if n.WSURL == nil {
-		if !sendOnly {
-			err = multierr.Append(err, commonconfig.ErrMissing{Name: "WSURL", Msg: "required for primary nodes"})
-		}
-	} else if n.WSURL.IsZero() {
-		if !sendOnly {
-			err = multierr.Append(err, commonconfig.ErrEmpty{Name: "WSURL", Msg: "required for primary nodes"})
-		}
-	} else {
+	// relax the check here as WSURL can potentially be empty if LogBroadcaster is disabled (checked in EVMConfig Validation)
+	if n.WSURL != nil && !n.WSURL.IsZero() {
 		switch n.WSURL.Scheme {
 		case "ws", "wss":
 		default:
diff --git a/core/config/docs/chains-evm.toml b/core/config/docs/chains-evm.toml
index fc53b0cc70..fe83fe64d5 100644
--- a/core/config/docs/chains-evm.toml
+++ b/core/config/docs/chains-evm.toml
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ ObservationGracePeriod = '1s' # Default
 [[EVM.Nodes]]
 # Name is a unique (per-chain) identifier for this node.
 Name = 'foo' # Example
-# WSURL is the WS(S) endpoint for this node. Required for primary nodes.
+# WSURL is the WS(S) endpoint for this node. Required for primary nodes when `LogBroadcasterEnabled` is `true`
 WSURL = 'wss://web.socket/test' # Example
 # HTTPURL is the HTTP(S) endpoint for this node. Required for all nodes.
 HTTPURL = 'https://foo.web' # Example
diff --git a/core/services/chainlink/config_test.go b/core/services/chainlink/config_test.go
index 97970df38f..9caf37ccf2 100644
--- a/core/services/chainlink/config_test.go
+++ b/core/services/chainlink/config_test.go
@@ -1337,11 +1337,12 @@ func TestConfig_Validate(t *testing.T) {
 		- LDAP.RunUserGroupCN: invalid value (<nil>): LDAP ReadUserGroupCN can not be empty
 		- LDAP.RunUserGroupCN: invalid value (<nil>): LDAP RunUserGroupCN can not be empty
 		- LDAP.ReadUserGroupCN: invalid value (<nil>): LDAP ReadUserGroupCN can not be empty
-	- EVM: 9 errors:
+	- EVM: 10 errors:
 		- 1.ChainID: invalid value (1): duplicate - must be unique
 		- 0.Nodes.1.Name: invalid value (foo): duplicate - must be unique
 		- 3.Nodes.4.WSURL: invalid value (ws://dupe.com): duplicate - must be unique
-		- 0: 3 errors:
+		- 0: 4 errors:
+			- Nodes: missing: 0th node (primary) must have a valid WSURL when LogBroadcaster is enabled
 			- GasEstimator.BumpTxDepth: invalid value (11): must be less than or equal to Transactions.MaxInFlight
 			- GasEstimator: 6 errors:
 				- BumpPercent: invalid value (1): may not be less than Geth's default of 10
@@ -1351,9 +1352,7 @@ func TestConfig_Validate(t *testing.T) {
 				- PriceMax: invalid value (10 gwei): must be greater than or equal to PriceDefault
 				- BlockHistory.BlockHistorySize: invalid value (0): must be greater than or equal to 1 with BlockHistory Mode
 			- Nodes: 2 errors:
-				- 0: 2 errors:
-					- WSURL: missing: required for primary nodes
-					- HTTPURL: missing: required for all nodes
+				- 0.HTTPURL: missing: required for all nodes
 				- 1.HTTPURL: missing: required for all nodes
 		- 1: 10 errors:
 			- ChainType: invalid value (Foo): must not be set with this chain id
@@ -1374,18 +1373,19 @@ func TestConfig_Validate(t *testing.T) {
 			- ChainType: invalid value (Arbitrum): must be one of arbitrum, astar, celo, gnosis, hedera, kroma, mantle, metis, optimismBedrock, scroll, wemix, xlayer, zkevm, zksync or omitted
 			- FinalityDepth: invalid value (0): must be greater than or equal to 1
 			- MinIncomingConfirmations: invalid value (0): must be greater than or equal to 1
-		- 3.Nodes: 5 errors:
-				- 0: 3 errors:
+		- 3: 3 errors:
+			- Nodes: missing: 0th node (primary) must have a valid WSURL when LogBroadcaster is enabled
+			- Nodes: missing: 2th node (primary) must have a valid WSURL when LogBroadcaster is enabled
+			- Nodes: 5 errors:
+				- 0: 2 errors:
 					- Name: missing: required for all nodes
-					- WSURL: missing: required for primary nodes
 					- HTTPURL: empty: required for all nodes
 				- 1: 3 errors:
 					- Name: missing: required for all nodes
 					- WSURL: invalid value (http): must be ws or wss
 					- HTTPURL: missing: required for all nodes
-				- 2: 3 errors:
+				- 2: 2 errors:
 					- Name: empty: required for all nodes
-					- WSURL: missing: required for primary nodes
 					- HTTPURL: invalid value (ws): must be http or https
 				- 3.HTTPURL: missing: required for all nodes
 				- 4.HTTPURL: missing: required for all nodes
@@ -1393,6 +1393,7 @@ func TestConfig_Validate(t *testing.T) {
 			- ChainID: missing: required for all chains
 			- Nodes: missing: must have at least one node
 		- 5.Transactions.AutoPurge.DetectionApiUrl: invalid value (): must be set for scroll
+		- 6.Nodes: missing: 0th node (primary) must have a valid WSURL when http polling is disabled
 	- Cosmos: 5 errors:
 		- 1.ChainID: invalid value (Malaga-420): duplicate - must be unique
 		- 0.Nodes.1.Name: invalid value (test): duplicate - must be unique
diff --git a/core/services/chainlink/testdata/config-invalid.toml b/core/services/chainlink/testdata/config-invalid.toml
index ca22e68c22..411741b1b5 100644
--- a/core/services/chainlink/testdata/config-invalid.toml
+++ b/core/services/chainlink/testdata/config-invalid.toml
@@ -117,6 +117,25 @@ Name = 'scroll node'
 WSURL = 'ws://foo.bar'
 HTTPURl = 'http://foo.bar'
 
+[[EVM]]
+ChainID = '100'
+LogBroadcasterEnabled = false
+
+[[EVM.Nodes]]
+Name = 'failing-fake'
+HTTPURl = 'http://foo.bar1'
+
+[[EVM]]
+ChainID = '101'
+LogBroadcasterEnabled = false
+
+[EVM.NodePool]
+NewHeadsPollInterval = '1s'
+
+[[EVM.Nodes]]
+Name = 'passing-fake'
+HTTPURl = 'http://foo.bar2'
+
 [[Cosmos]]
 ChainID = 'Malaga-420'
 
diff --git a/docs/CONFIG.md b/docs/CONFIG.md
index 0dca7763d4..98d2ec5d34 100644
--- a/docs/CONFIG.md
+++ b/docs/CONFIG.md
@@ -11348,7 +11348,7 @@ Name is a unique (per-chain) identifier for this node.
 ```toml
 WSURL = 'wss://web.socket/test' # Example
 ```
-WSURL is the WS(S) endpoint for this node. Required for primary nodes.
+WSURL is the WS(S) endpoint for this node. Required for primary nodes when `LogBroadcasterEnabled` is `true`
 
 ### HTTPURL
 ```toml