Apply for a License

Osteopathic physician assistants are now licensed by the Washington State Medical Commission.

Apply Online

Washington State osteopathic physician online application - This application is for Washington State licensure only.

Getting started

Online Application Instructions

Online application instructions are on our website.

Once you have completed the process, you will find your pending credential number on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact the Department of Health or submit paperwork.

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)

The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) is a compact agreement between participating states. Under the agreement, licensed physicians can qualify to practice medicine across state lines within the compact if they meet certain eligibility requirements. See the IMLC website for more information.

The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) was conceived in 2013 in order to promote the benefits of license portability and telemedicine while retaining regulatory authority for physician practice squarely with states. The goal of the IMLC is to allow well-qualified physicians who are evaluated by their home state to be eligible for immediate licensure in any other compact member state.

On May 5, 2017, Gov. Inslee signed HB 1337 into law, enacting the compact's provisions in Washington state. See RCW 18.71B for the full statute. Washington joins Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming as members of the IMLC. See which states are currently part of the compact. The IMLC established an interstate commission to oversee the compact, which includes the ability to enact rules that govern its operation. As a member state, one of Washington's requirements is to post meeting notices, 30 days in advance, of upcoming meetings of the IMLC Commission. In addition, as the commission engages in rule making, we're required to post, for public review and comment, rule-making materials from the commission.

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery is issuing osteopathic physician licenses through the IMLC. This means that osteopathic physicians licensed in a state belonging to the compact can become licensed in Washington very quickly. See the IMLC website for additional information and check back regularly for updates.

Rulemaking notices and other documents

• See the IMLC rulemaking information webpage for more information.

ILMC Commission meeting notices

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Via teleconference

• Primary agenda item – approve IMLCC FY2025 budget
• Notice and agenda will be provided no later than 30 days prior to the meeting, which will include information about joining the meeting.
• The meeting is scheduled to begin at:
  • 3 p.m. Eastern
  • 2 p.m. Central
  • 1 p.m. Mountain
  • Noon Pacific
  • 11 a.m. Alaska
  • 10 a.m. Hawaii
  • 6 a.m. next day Guam

Monday, November 11, 2024 – In-person and via teleconference, location to be determined

• IMLCC Committee Day
• Notice and agenda will be provided no later than 30 days prior to the meeting. The notice and agenda will include information about joining the meeting.
• The meeting is scheduled to begin:
  • 10 a.m. Eastern
  • 9 a.m. Central
  • 8 a.m. Mountain
  • 7 a.m. Pacific
  • 6 a.m. Alaska
  • 5 a.m. Hawaii
  • 1 a.m. next day Guam 

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 – In-person and via teleconference, location to be determined

• IMLCC Annual Meeting
• Notice and agenda will be provided no later than 30 days prior to the meeting. The notice and agenda will include information about joining the meeting.
• The meeting is scheduled to begin:
  • 10 a.m. Eastern
  • 9 a.m. Central
  • 8 a.m. Mountain
  • 7 a.m. Pacific
  • 6 a.m. Alaska
  • 5 a.m. Hawaii
  • 1 a.m. next day Guam

Uniform Application for State Licensure

The Washington State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery offers three online application options for osteopathic physicians:

Uniform Application for State Licensure - This application aims to improve license portability by eliminating the need for osteopathic physicians to re-enter information when applying for licenses in multiple states.

Apply on Paper

Paper applications can be downloaded and printed

• Application Packet for Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon (PDF)
• Application for Inactive Credential Activation (PDF)
• Application for Credential Activation (PDF) (for credentials expired between one and three years)
• Application for Credential Activation (PDF) (for credentials expired for three or more years)
• Training Investigative Letter (PDF)
• Training Verification Form (PDF)
• Credential Verification (PDF)
• Demographic Information Collection Attestation (PDF)

Renewal Requirements

Osteopathic physical renewal requirements

Osteopathic physicians must renew their license every year. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday. Renewal fees are accepted by the department no sooner than 90 days before the expiration date.

RCW 18.57.050(2) for osteopathic physicians (physicians) requires the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery to collect information pertaining to the current professional practice of osteopathic physicians at the time of license renewal. It requires physicians to provide the requested information.

Failure to complete the survey may delay your renewal. More information on the survey's goals, how we'll use the data and access to the survey is on the Washington Health Workforce Survey.

Fee Schedule

2024 Fiscal Year in Review (PDF)

Osteopathic Physician

WAC 246-853-990 Fees

• Endorsement application - $391*
• Active license renewal - $461**
• Late renewal penalty - $190
• Expired License reissuance - $250
• Retired active license renewal - $281**
• Retired active license late renewal penalty - $100
• Inactive license renewal - $396**
• Expired inactive license Reissuance - $225
• Inactive late renewal penalty - $155
• Endorsement/State exam application - $516*
• Re-exam - $100
• Verification of license - $50
• Temporary permit - $70
• Duplicate certificate - $20

* Includes the $16.00 fee to access the University of Washington (UW) HEAL-WA website.

** Includes the $16.00 UW HEAL-WA fee and the $70 Washington Physician Health Program substance abuse monitoring surcharge.

Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are nonrefundable, per WAC 246-12-340.

Postgraduate limited license

WAC 246-853-990 Fees

• Limited license application - $301*
• Limited license renewal - $331**

* Includes the $16.00 fee to access the University of Washington (UW) HEAL-WA website.

** Includes the $16.00 UW HEAL-WA fee and the $50 Washington Physician Health Program substance abuse monitoring surcharge.

Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are nonrefundable, per WAC 246-12-340.

Understanding your Application

All professions within the Department of Health (DOH) are unique. While the sections identified below can often be found on most applications, it is important to be aware of the requirements and rules of your specific credential(s).

After you submit your application, please watch for email communication from DOH. Throughout the application process promptly reply to all questions and requests. Delayed responses cause a longer wait for your credential to be issued. We highly encourage using our online application services.

Contact information

 Demographic Information

Demographic data is used to create an account within the DOH database, verify your identity, and collect contact information. Please carefully provide accurate and complete answers to all applicable demographic questions.

Military

It is valuable to indicate your military or spouse status on your DOH application. Appropriate documentation is necessary for all military related applications, and it is important to be aware of documents you need to provide to DOH. In some cases, military education, training, and experience may count towards attaining certain health care professional credentials. As a spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member, you may be eligible to have the processing time of your application expedited.

To find information and resources for military personnel and their spouses visit the Military Resources website.

 Personal Data Questions

All applicants must respond to the personal data questions, which focus on their ability to demonstrate the essential skills required for their profession. 

Carefully review all questions. Please note that “yes” answers require an explanation and additional documentation as outlined on your application. If applicable, please be aware of the necessary documentation and provide it to DOH as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing your application.

Other Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

DOH must verify all other credentials. List all states, including Washington State, where credentials are or were held. If you have applicable credentials to list, you may be required to provide an Out-of-State Credential Verification form. This form can be found in the paper application packet or on the Apply for License page. The form must be sent to each state listed and returned to DOH.

Please remember to provide all in-state and out-of-state credentials, including active, expired, and in-renewal. Individual states may require a fee for sending your verification to us, please check in advance to help expedite this process.

Education

To verify your qualifications, we must review all educational preparation and post-graduate training. Applicants must request official transcripts from the school(s) attended and the school needs to send them directly to DOH .

Exam

In some cases, passing an exam may be required to receive your credential. It is important to be aware of whether this applies to your credential. Exam scores must be sent from the exam host to the department. For more information on exams that may apply to your credential, visit your profession page. 

Supervised Experience

Supervised experience may be necessary to receive your credential or maintain it as you practice. Supervision rules and requirements vary from profession to profession, please visit your professions page to learn more about supervision requirements for your credential.

Important Reminders

Fees

Fees must be paid when an application is submitted. You can pay online while using the online application portal, or by sending a check or money order to the appropriate PO Box as listed on your application.

Applications with unpaid fees cannot be processed until payment is received.

Background Check

A background check is processed for every applicant. DOH may need to obtain a fingerprint-based background check with Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). If this is required for your application, you will be contacted by DOH and it is your responsibility to complete the required steps to submit this background check.

Process for Approving/Denying Applications

We finish the final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete and complies with requirements in chapter 18.57 RCW and chapter 246-853 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 that the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.