Military Resources - Frequently Asked Questions

February Credentialing Freeze: All licensing and credentialing systems for health professionals and facilities will be unavailable on Friday, February 14 from 5 p.m. until the morning of Wednesday, February 19, 2025, to complete system upgrades. Please complete your applications and renewals now to avoid delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Military Service Members Spouses or Registered Domestic Partners of Active Duty Service Members and Veterans

Additional Non-Health Related Resources for Service Members and Spouses

List of additional state agencies

Military Service Members

The department of health regulates and issues healthcare credentials in accordance with state laws. The issuance of some credentials can take considerably longer than others due to a number of reasons e.g., prime source receipt and verification of official transcripts, verification of credentials held in another state or country, jurisprudence exams and verification of national board or certification exams where applicable. In addition, fingerprint and background checks, and submission of other supporting documents if warranted by answers provided to Personal Data Questions. To learn more about specific credentialing requirements for each regulated credential, see our health professions webpage.

If I’m a military service member seeking health care credential(s) in Washington, what should I know?

As courtesy, the Office of Customer Service and Credentialing will provide expedited processing to any service member or veteran when properly identified through submission of an initial application with applicable fees, along with required supporting documents which may include legible copy(ies) of active military or discharge summary orders (i.e. DD214 member 4 or Service 2, or NGB-22 for Guard personnel), or non-expired military I.D. card. Applicants may apply either online after creating a (Secure Access Washington (SAW)) account, or send by mail to the address listed on the application.

Does the department of health evaluate military education training and experience towards meeting certain entry, to more advanced level credentialing requirements and where may I inquire for more information pertaining?

Yes. For review and consideration of your military education, training, and experience, refer to the department's Military Resources - Health Professions Crosswalk. The crosswalk is intended to be used as a guide and does not guarantee issuance of a credential.

Documents to submit with your application to claim military preference:

Note 1: JST can be electronically sent by visiting website and selecting Washington State Department of Health – Attn: Customer Service or Credentialing Services.

Note 2: CCAF transcripts may be received electronically upon request by contacting the department's military liaison, or via postal service.

  • Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET) or DD Form 2586 (USAF LPN applicants only)
  • If applicable, Application for Evaluation of Learning Experiences During Military Service (DD Form 295)
  • Other required support documents if required or requested

For more detailed information, you may visit Military Resources or contact the Office of Customer Service.

Where can I find legislation specific to military/military-affiliated personnel?

The department's military statutes are referenced in Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 43.70.270 and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-12 Part 2 and 12

If I'm an active military member, how do I request to be placed in an active military status?
  • While serving on active duty, military service members may place their credential(s) in active military status and retain their credentials for the duration and are granted unrestricted scope-of-practice throughout the state.
  • Before requesting to be placed in active military status, service members must have an active, unrestricted credential in the state.
  • We'll place the service member on active military status when he or she provide a legible copy of their military service orders to the Office of Customer Service via fax, email, or postal service.
  • To remain in active military status, credential holders must provide a copy of their active service orders to the Office of Customer Service each year or before the credential expires.
  • If the service member does not submit current military orders on, or prior the renewal date, their credential will be reflected as expired in our credentialing database until fully resolved.
  • Service members must have an active credential at the time they request active military status.
  • For the duration service members are in active military status, renewal fees and reporting of continuing education (CE) units are waived.
  • Military service members have a six-month grace period to update their credential(s) upon permanent discharge from active service.

A military status is changed to active when:

  • A copy of the military discharge orders (DD214 member 4, Service 2, or National Guard equivalent NGB-22) is provided.
  • The renewal fee is paid.
  • Continuing education (CE) 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.
If I'm currently in an active military status, how do I return my credential to regular active status?

You must request a change to a regular active status by contacting the Office of Customer Service via fax, email or postal service within six months of discharge from active service, or at any time per your own discretion. Upon converting, you will be required to pay current renewal fees for your profession(s).

Where or whom may I contact if I'd like to learn more about credentialing opportunities for military service members?

Inquiries may be sent to the military resources inbox.

As the spouse or registered domestic partner of an active-duty service member, are there fee waivers for credential(s) being sought?

No. However, military spouses may qualify for reimbursement of any fees associated with obtaining a license, certification, or registration issued by the department. Service component specific reimbursement policies can be found here: Military Spouse Benefits: Get Reimbursed for Licensure When You PCS.

If I or my spouse are seeking information regarding non-health related credentials and or general information, what other state agency(ies) may we connect with?

Spouses or Registered Domestic Partners of Active Duty Service Members and Veterans

The department of health regulates and issues healthcare credentials in accordance with state laws. The issuance of some credentials can take considerably longer than others due to a number of reasons e.g., prime source receipt and verification of official transcripts, verification of credentials held in another state or country, jurisprudence exams and verification of national board or certification exams if applicable. In addition, fingerprint and background checks, and submission of other supporting documents if warranted by answers provided to Personal Data Questions. To learn more about specific credentialing requirements for each regulated credential, please visit are please visit our health professions webpage.

Where can I find legislation specific to military spouses or registered domestic partners of active-duty personnel stationed in Washington?

Second Substitute House Bill 1009 (PDF), Chapter 165, 2023 Laws – Concerning Military Spouse Employment. 

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5969, chapter 5, laws of 2011 (PDF); if a service member who has, or will be temporarily reassigned or deployed outside of Washington, and you plan to relocate temporarily, you may request to be placed in an inactive military-related status by contacting the office of customer service via email, fax, or postal service and providing a legible copy your marriage and or registered domestic partner certificate, and a copy of the service members temporary duty or deployment orders.

If I'm seeking a health care credential(s) and are the spouse or domestic partner of a military service member being assigned to a military base in Washington, what should I know or do?

Whether inbound or already stationed in Washington, see our home page (www.doh.wa.gov) to inquire and apply early to facilitate application processing in a timely manner. 

Where or whom may I contact if I'd like to learn more about credentialing opportunities for current and or former spouses or registered domestic partners of an active or veteran service members?

Inquiries may be sent to the military resources email inbox.

As the spouse or registered domestic partner of an active-duty service member, are there fee waivers for credential(s) being sought?

No. However, military spouses may qualify for reimbursement of any fees associated with obtaining a license, certification, or registration issued by the department. Service component specific reimbursement policies can be found here: Military Spouse Benefits: Get Reimbursed for Licensure When You PCS.

If I'm a military spouse or registered domestic partner, am I eligible for expedited application processing and what should I know?

Yes. Whether applying online, or via application printout, mail-in and or drop-off in-person, it is important to remember that the minimum credentialing standards for a credential(s) being sought, must be deemed to have been fully met, legible supporting documentation such as military orders, marriage certificate or domestic partnership paperwork, a copy of dependent military I.D. card, and finally any documents related to Personal Data Questions must be received with your “initial” application(s). In addition, any official transcripts and or verification of licensure from any state where previous credentials were held, must be received directly from the source. Copies, unofficial or unsealed documents will not be accepted.

What is a temporary practice permit (TPP) and how do I get one?

If you hold active credential(s) in another state that's deemed substantially equivalent to Washington's licensing requirements, upon application plus fees submission, review and approval, you may receive a temporary practice permit (TPP) which allows early entry into the civilian health care workforce up to six (6) months, while background and fingerprint checks are being conducted. There are no additional fees.

What is the benefit of obtaining the inactive military-related credential status?

Inactive military-related status allows you to maintain your credential, at no cost, while you reside outside of the state due to a permanent change of station (PCS), deployment or temporary duty (TDY) reassignment of you, your spouse or registered domestic partner.

If I am a spouse or registered domestic partner, how can I request my license be placed in an inactive military-related status?

You may request to be placed in an inactive military-related status by contacting the office of customer service via fax, email or postal service and providing a legible copy your marriage and or registered domestic partner certificate, and a copy of the service members temporary duty or deployment orders.

  • Renewal fees and CE auditing are waived for those in inactive military-related status.
  • A spouse or registered domestic partner has a six-month grace period to update their credential upon returning to the state.
  • Working as a health care professional while in this status is not allowed.
While in an inactive military-related status, do I need to renew each year to maintain this status?

No, but you will need to submit a copy of the orders each year prior to your expiration date.

An inactive military-related status is changed to active when:

  • Requested by the credential holder.
  • The service member is permanently reassigned within the Continental United States (CONUS) or is discharged from active service.
  • A copy of the service member's reassignment or discharge orders, or DD214 member 4 or Service 2 copy is provided to the Office of Customer Service via fax, email or postal service.
  • Renewal fee is paid.
Once I am no longer in inactive military-related status, what happens next?
  • 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 or reassignment update.
  • If the credential holder doesn't renew within six months after permanent relocation within the continental U.S. or discharge, the credential expires.
  • If the credential holder later asks to renew the credential, the regular process applies, including any penalties assessed.
If I or my spouse are seeking information regarding non-health related credentials and or general information, what other state agency(ies) may we connect with?