Health Professions Renewals Frequently Asked Questions

Credentials expired for more than one renewal cycle cannot be renewed online. They may require an expired reissuance application, which is on your professions webpage. However, most professions have been setup for late online renewals. The following list of credential types are currently not eligible to renew late online. If your credential type is listed below, you may return your renewal notice with payment by mail or contact us for further assistance.

See our online renewal page to complete your online renewal process.

Credentials not eligible for late renewal online:

• Advanced registered nurse practioner (ARNP)

• Denturist alternate location (cannot be renewed online for active or late renewal)

• Dispensing optician apprentice (cannot be renewed online for active or late renewal)

• Genetic counselor provisional license (cannot be renewed online for active or late renewal)

• Medical cannabis consultant

• Medication assistant – endorsement for nursing assistant certified (cannot be renewed online for active or late renewal)

• Pharmacy intern (cannot be renewed online for active or late renewal)

• Retired volunteer medical workers (cannot be renewed online for active or late renewal)

• Nursing technician (cannot be renewed online for active or late renewal)

You may renew your credential one of three ways:

• Renew online
• Mail your renewal
• Renew in person at our Tumwater office.

Your renewal must be postmarked or received by midnight of the expiration date or it is considered late. We will assess a late fee. You may renew your credential up to 90 days before it expires. You should receive a courtesy renewal reminder six to eight weeks before the credential expires. If you do not receive the notice within four weeks of your expiration date, please call 360-236-4700 or email us for help.

We cannot accept credit/debit cards over the telephone.

We accept MasterCard or Visa credit/debit cards at the front counter and online.

By mail: It will take about two weeks to update. This includes mailing time.

In person: If you deliver the payment in person to the front counter it will take about three to seven business days. This saves mail time and you will receive verification during the visit.

Our goal is to process all renewals sent by mail or submitted in person within seven business days after we receive them. This includes processing of the payment and review of any renewal related documentation.

Online: Credential expiration and last renewal dates are updated immediately upon completion of the online transaction.

The date your continuing education is due is listed under the fees on your courtesy renewal card.

Your profession's webpage lists the hours of required continuing education. You may also look on the provider/facility search to see when your continuing education hours are due.

If you have questions about your continuing education, please call 360-236-4700 or email us for help.

Check the fee page for your profession to find the correct payment. Then send a check or money order payable to the Department of Health. Please note that you are requesting a duplicate credential and remember to include your credential number.

If it's within 90 days of your expiration date, you may renew your credential and receive an updated copy.

In order to serve you better, we must have your current mailing address in our system. This is especially important because we mail your courtesy renewal notice and updated credential to the address on file. The U.S. Postal Service does not forward Department of Health mail so it is your responsibility to inform the Customer Service Office of an address change.

We cannot accept contact information updates over the phone.

If your contact information is not current in our system, please complete and submit the contact information change form. If you have questions, feel free to contact our staff.

After completing the form submit it to the Department of Health by:

• Email – select the Email button on the form, it will be sent automatically
• Fax – to 360-236-4818
• Mail – to the address at the bottom of the form.

Please mail, email, or fax a copy of your certified marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order showing your name change to the Customer Service Office. You will not be sent a credential showing your new name until your next renewal has been processed. You may also include this request when submitting your renewal by mail or in person. If you plan on renewing online, we must have your current name in our system prior to renewal. We will print your renewed credential with the name we have on file at the time of renewal.

• Military service members retain their credentials during active duty status and are allowed to practice throughout the state.
• We will place the service member on active military status when he or she provides a copy of their service orders to our Customer Service Office. Active Military status credential holders must send a current copy of their orders to the Customer Service Office each year before the credential expires.
• We do not charge renewal fees to credential holders in active military status.
• If the credential holder does not submit current orders on the renewal, the credential expires.
• Military service members have a six month period to update their credential after discharge.
• A military status is changed to active when:
  • A copy of the discharge papers (DD214) is provided.
  • The renewal fee is paid.
• Continuing education hours, if applicable, are not required upon return to active status.
• Regular renewal fees and continuing education requirements apply after the first post-discharge update.
• If the credential holder does not renew within six months after discharge, the credential expires. If the credential holder later asks to renew the credential, the regular process applies, including penalties.