Online Instructions
Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess 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 Online Application Portal.
Getting started
To get started you must register with Secure Access Washington (SAW) and sign in to the Department of Health Online Application Portal. Please read Steps 1 and 2 completely before creating your account.
There is also a $2.50 convenience fee to use the Online Application Portal.
Step 1: Create a Secure Access Washington account
Go to the Secure Access Washington (SAW) website.
Select "Create One." 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 Online Application Portal
- Login 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 “Online Application Portal”. Select “Apply.”
- You'll be asked a series of questions based on your public record data (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 “Online Application Portal.”
- Complete the information on the User Lookup 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 answer, then click “Validate.”
- If you have a full match, you'll be asked to update any information that is currently incorrect. You'll not be able to update any gray-out field. Once complete, click “Update.”
- You will now be able to choose the credential you would like to apply for. Select the credential from the list under “Complete a New Credential Application.”
- Please note that you'll have 14 days from the start of the application to complete, pay for and retrieve a copy of the application and any supplemental forms needed for completion.
- Pay the application and $2.50 convenience fee with a VISA or MasterCard or by ACH (electronic check). 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 has been successfully submitted you can, attach additional documents to your application at the “Upload Attachments” screen. If you have nothing to upload, choose “Skip.”
- The final screen will have a copy of any additional forms you may need to submit and a copy of the application you just finished. You'll be able to retrieve these documents for 14 days after the original start of the application.
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.”