Apply to CRS

Expected Submission Review Time is 75 days (More about our timeline)

What does this mean for my project? For planning purposes it’s important to understand that this estimate of review time is not the time it takes to review an entire project or receive a facility license.  A “submission” means a distinct set of information (typically plans, specifications, programs, etc.) given to construction review to analyze for compliance with state rules. After a submission is reviewed, there will often be comments that must be responded to and drawings that must be revised. After your design team revises plans and responds to comments, they submit those revisions as a new "submission." A project will often take several submissions to complete.

The number above is a rough estimate for an average submission. Submissions for larger projects will take longer. The construction review program experiences significant shifts in workload and bandwidth, so it’s always best to contact your assigned plan reviewer to get a more accurate read on how long a particular review may take.

Application for Construction Review

Before your first submission or conference, you must provide Construction Review Services staff members with the following:

Application. A completed project review application packet with project documents for review.

Cost Estimate. An estimated permit value at the time of application. Permit valuations include the total value of work, including materials and labor, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment and permanent systems. If the program determines the valuation is underestimated, the program will deny the application unless the applicant can show detailed estimates to meet the program's approval.

Review fee. The appropriate fee based upon the initial project cost as determined from the construction fee schedule, flat fee schedules, or building conversion.

Submitting your application and fee

Payments by check:

Mail your application and fee ONLY (do not include plans or supporting documents) to:

Department of Health
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

Payments by ACH (Automated Clearing House) electronic check:

*New* Review fees may now be paid by electronic ACH payments.

ACH payments are electronic payments made through the Automated Clearing House network, a secure system for clearing electronic payments between banks. These payments are much quicker than paper checks travel faster and can be validated quicker than paper checks. This means, your review can start sooner!

Email your completed application (do not include plans or supporting documents) to: crs-applications@doh.wa.gov.

Your application will be reviewed to determine the appropriate review fee and a fee statement will be returned to you (via email). Please forward the entire email along with the fee statement to your accounts payable office as it contains specific instructions for payment.

Once payment is received in full, access to upload supporting documents on box.com will be granted. Please note: documents uploaded to box.com prior to this will not be processed.

To begin the plan review process, most projects will also require supporting documentation that can be submitted electronically (in PDF format) or by hard copy/paper.

Supporting documents can be submitted after your CRS application has been received and assigned a CRS project number, and may include:

  • Plans and Specifications. Documents as required by the applicable licensing or certification rules. Most projects will require the following:
    • Construction drawings
    • A written Functional Program
    • An Infection Control
    • Additional documentation may also be required, such as but not limited to:
      • Specifications
      • Project Manual
      • Policy and Procedures

A more detailed list is on our Plan Review Process page.

Find more information for submitting electronically on our Electronic Plan Review webpage.

More Resources

Applying to CRS | Applications | Certificate of Need (CoN) | Desk Reference Manuals | Local AHJ (courtesy of WABO) | Plan Review Fee