Licensing Requirements

Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If a case pending, applicant must indicate status.

The personal data questions are to ensure the safety and protection of the public by ensuring applicants are safe to practice. When answering the question, “Do you have a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety?” the board expects applicants to include only medical conditions that will impair their ability to perform the duties of the profession. For example, well-managed diabetes, well-managed depression, wearing of eye glasses, other treated physical or mental disorders would not necessarily require a “yes” answer to this question.

The board reviews any applications with positive personal data question answers to assess the nature, severity, and risk associated with the medical condition and any ongoing treatment. The board then determines whether to issue the license, restrict the license, or deny the license. Once a board decision has been made on positive application personal data questions, those answers are not used for later discipline.

Each applicant must have graduated from a nationally accredited, board-approved school of osteopathic medicine. The transcripts must be received directly from the applicant's school or in a sealed envelope.

Each applicant must have successfully completed at least one year of post-graduate training. The program must be accredited by the American Osteopathic Association or the American Medical Association. A post-graduate training program investigative letter or form must be completed by the program director and returned directly to the department.

Each applicant must successfully complete board-approved examinations, which include:

• Parts I, II, and II of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) or Parts I, II, and III of the exam administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME); or
• The Washington Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OP&P) Examination with a minimum score of 75 percent in each section; the Comprehensive Osteopathic Variable-Purpose Examination (COMVEX) administered by NBOME with a minimum passing score as established by NBOME; or other state-administered OP&P exam approved by the board; and
• The Federation of State Licensing Board (FLEX) Examination taken before June 1985 passed with a FLEX weighted average of a minimum of 75 percent; or the FLEX I and FLEX II Examination with a minimum score of 75 on each component; or the United State Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps I, II, and III after December 1993 with a minimum score as established by the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners

We need verification of all admitting or specialty hospital privileges that have been granted within the past five years from the date of the application. The hospital investigative letter or form must be completed and sent directly from the facility to the department. All facilities listed on the application must be verified. Hospital privileges connected with military practice may be verified by current duty station or if the applicant is no longer in active service, through the National Records Center.

Additional Information/Documents Required:

• American Osteopathic Association (AOA) physician profile
• Federation of State Medical Boards verification

Note: The board has accepted participation to the Federation of State Medical Boards Credentials Verification Service (FCVS). The FCVS will collect core documents (school, post-graduate training, exam scores and federation clearance) and the board will accept certification from FCVS as meeting that portion of the requirements.

Licensed osteopathic physicians must report 150 hours of continuing education every three years. See WAC 246-853-070 and WAC 246-853-080 for content requirements and more information.

Licensed osteopathic physicians must take a one-time training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. See WAC 246-863-065 for more information.

Licensed osteopathic physicians must take a one-time continuing education course regarding best practices in the prescribing of opioids and the current opioid prescribing rules. See WAC 246-853-685 for more information.