Pharmacy Licensing

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.
Applications and forms

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

Pharmacy applications

Hospital Pharmacy License Application (PDF)

Nonresident Pharmacy License Application Packet (PDF)

Pharmacy Ancillary Utilization Application (PDF)

Pharmacy License Application Packet (PDF)

Other pharmacy-related forms

Pharmacy practice related guidelines

Pharmacist collaborative drug agreement (prescribing protocol)

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Fees

Fee Schedule

Pharmacies

Non-Refundable Fee Type Application Renewal Penalty
Pharmacy Location $540 $540 $270
Pharmacy Ancillary Staff Utilization $100 $100  
Controlled Substance Dispensing Authority $150 $150  
Facility Inspection $400    
Duplicate credential $10    
Verification of credential status to another state $25    

Hospital Pharmacy Associated Clinic (HPAC)

If you have questions or need help calculating the fee schedule, see our frequently asked questions.

Category 1 HPAC tier Number of Category 1 HPACs under parent hospital pharmacy license Total fee
A 1 - 10 $895
B 11 - 50 $2240
C 51 - 100 $3125
D Over 100 $4025
Category 2 Total fee
HPACs under parent hospital pharmacy license $755
Additional fee Total fee
Amended license processing fee $55 *

* The department charges a processing fee of $55 for an amended license to change the number of HPACs.

License Requirements

A pharmacy license is location- and owner-specific. Each pharmacy must appoint a pharmacist in charge (responsible pharmacist manager) responsible to ensure that the pharmacy complies with all the rules, laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of pharmacy. A license may include the following endorsements if included by application and supplemental documentation when applicable.

  • Authority to purchase, possess, and dispense controlled substances (CSA)
  • Authority to use pharmacy ancillary personnel – pharmacy assistants and pharmacy technician – upon approval by the licensing authority of utilization plans.

All pharmacies are inspected before a license is issued and periodically to ensure compliance with laws and rules.

Non-resident pharmacy license - A pharmacy license of location and ownership is required by an out-of-state pharmacy that ships, mails, or delivers, in any manner, except when delivered in person to an individual, controlled substances, legend drugs, or devices into this state. A non-resident pharmacy license must include a controlled substance endorsement if it includes controlled substances prescriptions.

The non-resident pharmacy must report:

  • Names, and titles of all owners including corporate officers;
  • Names and credential numbers of all pharmacists employed by the pharmacy that will dispense to patients in this state;
  • Name of responsible pharmacist manager;
  • Toll-free phone number to facilitate communication with Washington patients;
  • Proof that it maintains its records of controlled substances, legend drugs, or devices dispensed to patients in this state so thatthe records are readily retrievable from the records of other drugs dispensed; and
  • Designate resident agent in Washington for service of process.

Note, pharmacists of a licensed non-resident pharmacy are not required to hold a Washington pharmacist license for the shipping, mailing and delivery of drugs or devices.Check with licensing authority regarding remote processing, telepharmacy or shared services.

State License 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. The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Background Questions

Applicant must answer background questions related to the owners, partners, managers, etc. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability questions 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 a case is pending, applicant must indicate status.

Additional Information/Documents Required

A pharmacy that dispenses controlled substances must report to the Prescription Monitoring Program by registering at the Secure Access Washington portal.

A pharmacy that does not dispense controlled substances to Washington State residents

must complete the No Dispensing of Controlled Substances (NDCS) registration form. The NDCS registration is at: www.wapmp.org. Look under the “WA Pharmacy/Prescriber Data Uploader” link in the menu on the left of the page and then the “No Dispensing of Controlled Substances” link. This form is required to be resubmitted with the pharmacy license renewal.

A pharmacy that sells ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and/or phenylpropanolamine over the counter must set up an account to access and report to the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx). Set up an account at https://nplex.appriss.com.

Credentialing staff members review the application and supporting documents to make an initial determination on eligibility. The recommendation is based upon the requirements outlined in Chapter 18.64 RCW, and Chapter 246-945 WAC. Credentialing supervisors approve routine applications that don't have positive answers to personal data questions, have questionable verifying documents or are otherwise “red flag” applications. "Red flag" applications are forwarded to the exception application process for determination by the appropriate disciplinary authority. An applicant will be formally notified of a denial and has the opportunity for a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal Requirements

Pharmacy licenses are renewed annually on or before May 31 and may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date.

A courtesy renewal notice will be mailed to licensee's address of record. Renewals mailed to the department must be postmarked on or before the expiration date to avoid having the license expire and accrue a late penalty.

Location or Ownership Changes

A change of location to a different address requires a new application and payment of original licensing fees, including CSA.

  • In-state pharmacies must reapply for differential hours and ancillary personnel, if applicable, and onsite inspection

A change in the business structure or organizational structure such as a change from sole proprietorship to a corporation or a change of more than 50 percent of ownership in a corporation requires a new application and original licensing fees, including CSA.

  • In-state pharmacies must reapply for ancillary personnel, if applicable, and onsite inspection.

In-state pharmacies must file an application for location change with an establishment for remodels when the location change is within the premises identified by the current license address. An inspection fee is charged in lieu of the original license fee.