Dietitian And Nutritionist Licensing Information

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.

Apply for a License

Apply online

The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.

For further information please see:

Washington State law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington State. This would be at your own expense.

You must pay the application fee at the time you apply. You may use a credit or debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo, or pay by ACH/E-Check. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you. This fee is non-refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.

If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.

There are additional items you may need, in addition to your application:

If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff members at 360-236-4700.

Getting started

Online Application Instructions

Online application instructions are on our website.

Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal - Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal service to access the online applications. 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. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. 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 need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.

Once you have completed the process, and submitted your application, you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.

Apply on paper

Accordion

The following forms are required for completing the application process. Please download and print forms.

Fee Schedule

See fee information below
Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount
Application $81*
Renewal $61*
Late renewal penalty $45
Expired certification reissuance $50
Duplicate certification $30
Verification of certificate $30

* Includes the $16 fee to access the University of Washington HEAL-WA health resources website.

WAC 246-12-340 – Refund of fees

Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal, and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are non-refundable.

Licensing Requirements

Dietitian

Credentialing requirements

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree or higher in major course of study in human nutrition, foods and nutrition, dietetics or food management. Applicants must have evidence of completion of 900 hours, accumulated over a maximum of 36 months, of continuous preprofessional experience or coordinated undergraduate program in dietetics under the supervision of a qualified supervisor. Written examination with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Verification documents required

Official transcript and date posted, received directly from applicant's program. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation. Official transcripts showing completion of 900 hours of supervised competency based practice in the field of dietetics accumulated over a maximum of 36 months. Verification of current registration status with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Nutritionist

Credentialing requirements

Meet the requirements for dietitian.

Or

Master's or doctorate degree in one of the following subject areas: human nutrition, nutrition education, foods and nutrition or public health nutrition

Verification documents required

Documentation that the applicant meets the requirements for dietitians as listed above.

Or

Official transcript with degree and date posted, received directly from applicant's program. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation. The college or university must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, or by a national or regional body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Education.

State licensure verification

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. Applicant sends form to jurisdiction for completion. The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. An appropriate explanation and required documentation must be sent with positive answers. 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 the case is pending, applicant must indicate status.

Process for approving/denying applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.138 RCW and chapter 246-822 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal requirements

Dietitians and nutritionists must renew their certification every year on or before their birthday. They're required to submit the appropriate fee and renewal card. Please keep your address updated to receive courtesy renewal notices.

Avoid an expired license

Do not let your license expire. You must make sure we have your renewal before it expires. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to practice. A timely postmark on your renewal will not prevent an expired license. Renewal sent by mail take about two weeks to process.