Online applications are accessed through Secure Access Washington (SAW) security portal. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. If you don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll likely need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS).
Getting Started
To get started, you must register with Secure Access Washington (SAW) and sign in to the Department of Health Online Application Portal – Health Professional and Facility Licensing (HELMS). Please read Steps 1 and 2 completely before creating your account.
There is a 2.5% convenience fee required when paying by credit/debit card. This amount will be charged in addition to your fee(s). There is no convenience fee for electronic check (ACH) payments.
Step 1: Create a Secure Access Washington account
Go to the Secure Access Washington (SAW) website.
Select "Sign up." If you already have a SAW account, sign in with your user ID and password you previously created and continue to "Step 2" below.
- Follow the steps to register. You'll create your own user ID and password for SAW.
- The system will send you an email confirming your registration.
- Select the link in the email that follows this statement: “To activate your new account, select the following link." This step is required to complete the registration process.
If you experience problems with the SAW site, contact Consolidated Technology Services (24 hours) at 855-928-3241 or email support@watech.wa.gov.
Step 2: Create a link to the Department of Health Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS)
- Log in to your SAW account using your SAW user ID and password you previously created.
- Select the “Add a New Service” link.
- On the right column, select “Department of Health.”
- Scroll to “Health Professional and Facility Licensing (HELMS)”. Select “Apply.”
- You'll be asked a series of questions based on your public record data (the state of Washington doesn't gather or store this data). The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. You'll want to ensure you've provided your full legal name, and you may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one to two years), to get the right questions that pertain to your identity.
- Click on “My Services” and choose “Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS).”
- Complete the information on the "Locate Your Account" page. Last name, date of birth, and social security number (SSN) are required fields. If you don't have a SSN, check the “I don't have a Social Security Number” box. Click “Search.”
- If you don't have a match or have never had a state of Washington credential, select “No.”
- If you do have a partial match, you'll be asked additional questions. Select an answer, then click “Validate.”
- If you have a full match, you'll be asked to update your personal information on your profile page. You'll not be able to update any grayed-out field. Once complete, click “Save.”
- You will now be able to choose the credential you would like to apply for and click on ‘Start a New Application.’ You can search by name or from a list.
- Please note that you'll have 14 days from the start of the application to complete and pay.
- Pay the application and 2.5% convenience fee if applicable. Payment must be made with U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. financial institution. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you.
- After the payment, you can visit your home page to upload documents and view or print your application.
- If you're having problems with the Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS), contact us at one of the phone numbers listed below.
If you're having problems with the Online Application Portal, contact us at one of the phone numbers listed below.
Our normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We're closed on all state holidays.
- For RN, LPN, ARNP, and nursing technician applicants, call the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission at 360-236-4703.
- For allopathic physician (MD) or physician assistant (PA) applicants, call the Medical Quality Assurance Commission at 360-236-2750.
- For chiropractor or chiropractic X-ray technician applicants, call the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission at 360-236-2822.
- For all other professions, call the Health Systems Quality Assurance Call Center at 360-236-4700, press option "1" for “assistance with health profession or facility applications.” Then, press "1" again for “technical assistance with our online application system.”