Frequently Asked Questions - Certification Renewal
- How do I renew my certification?
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You may renew your certification one of three ways:
Your renewal must be postmarked or received by midnight of the expiration date or it is considered late. We will assess a late fee. You may renew your certification up to 90 days before it expires. You should receive a courtesy renewal reminder six to eight weeks before the certification expires. If you do not receive the notice within four weeks of your expiration date, please call 360-236-4700 or email us for help.
We cannot accept credit or debit cards over the telephone.
We accept MasterCard or Visa credit and debit cards at the front counter.
- How long will it take to process my renewal?
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Online: As soon as your credential is renewed, the updated information will show on our provider/facility search.
By mail: It will take about two weeks to update. This includes mailing time.
In person: If you deliver the payment in person to the front counter, it will take about three to seven business days. This saves mail time and you will receive verification during the visit.
Our goal is to process all renewals sent by mail or submitted in person within seven business days after we receive them. This includes processing of the payment and review of any renewal related documentation.
- How do I renew my certification without a renewal notice?
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If your certification has been expired for longer than one renewal cycle, please contact our Customer Service Office.
Renewal notices are mailed as a courtesy and are not required for renewal. Failure to receive a courtesy renewal notice does not relieve or exempt the renewal requirement. You may update your certification by mailing your renewal payment to us with documentation of your name, certification number, current mailing address and any other renewal requirements.
You may renew in person without a renewal notice at our Tumwater location.
Please review the fee schedule to determine the current renewal fees and requirements.
If your profession requires continuing education for renewal, submit a completed continuing education form (PDF) with your payment.
- When does my certification expire?
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Your certification expires at midnight on your expiration date, which is your birthday.
- Does my certification require continuing education hours?
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You must take 10 hours of continuing education every year. If you have questions about your continuing education, please call 360-236-4700 or email us for help.
- How do I request a duplicate of my certification?
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Check the fee page to find the correct payment. Send a check or money order payable to the Department of Health. Please note that you are requesting a duplicate certification, and remember to include your certification number.
If it's within 90 days of your expiration date, you may renew your certification and receive an updated copy.
- How do I update my mailing address?
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In order to serve you better, we must have your current mailing address in our system. This is especially important because we mail your courtesy renewal notice and updated certification to the address on file. The U.S. Postal Service does not forward Department of Health mail so it is your responsibility to inform the Customer Service Office of an address change.
We cannot accept contact information updates over the phone.
If your contact information is not current in our system, please complete and submit the contact information change form. If you have questions, contact our staff.
After completing the form submit it to the Department of Health by mail to the address at the bottom of the form.
- How do I change my name on my certification?
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Please mail, email, or fax a copy of your certified marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order showing your name change to the Customer Service Office. You will not be sent a certification showing your new name until your next renewal has been processed. You may also include this request when submitting your renewal by mail or in person. We will print your renewed certification with the name we have on file at the time of renewal.
- If I am active military, how do I request military status?
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- Military service members retain their certification during active duty status and are allowed to practice throughout the state.
- We will place service members on active military status when they provide a copy of their service orders to our Customer Service Office. Active military status certificate holders must send a current copy of their orders to the Customer Service Office each year before the certificate expires.
- We do not charge renewal fees to certificate holders in active military status.
- If the certificate holder does not submit current orders on the renewal, the certificate expires.
- Military service members have a six-month period to update their certification after discharge.
- A military status is changed to active when:
- A copy of the discharge papers (DD214) is provided.
- The renewal fee is paid.
- Continuing education hours are not required upon return to active status.
- Regular renewal fees and continuing education requirements apply after the first post-discharge update.
- If the certificate holder does not renew within six months after discharge, the certificate expires. If the certificate holder later asks to renew the certificate, the regular process applies, including penalties.
- How do I renew my certificate if I still do not have a Social Security number?
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State law requires us to collect Social Security numbers for certificate holders. There are circumstances where a certificate applicant or certificate holder is not able to provide or obtain one. Please complete and submit the required form for renewal (PDF).
Contact us if you have further questions.