Apply for a License
- Apply Online
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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.
- Continuing Education; WAC 246-12-180; How to prove compliance
- Initial and renewal credentialing of practitioners; WAC 246-12-020; How to obtain an initial credential
- Program Supervision Contract (PDF)
- Program Verification for Completion of 1000 hours of Supervised Experience (PDF)
- Program Verification for Completion of Supervised Experience (PDF)
- Credential Verification (PDF)
- Request for Professional Training and References (PDF)
- Letter of Submission to Washington State Jurisdiction (PDF)
- Jurisprudence exam required for initial license
- Apply on Paper
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- Certification Application Packet (PDF)
- Expired Activation Application (PDF)
- Program Supervision Contract (PDF)
- Program Verification for Completion of 1000 hours of Supervised Experience (PDF)
- Program Verification for Completion of Supervised Experience (PDF)
- Attestation of Qualification Based on Experience (PDF)
- Qualified Supervisor Attestation (PDF)
- Credential Verification (PDF)
- Request for Professional Training and References (PDF)
- Letter of Submission to Washington State Jurisdiction (PDF)
Fee Schedule
- Sex Offender Treatment Provider (SOTP)
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Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount Fee effective June 1, 2023 Application and examination $600 $450 Reexamination $250 $250 Initial certification $200.00 $50 Renewal $1,000 $500 Inactive status $300 $300 Late renewal penalty $300 $250 Expired certificate reissuance $300 $300 Expired inactive certificate reissuance $150 $150 Duplicate certificate $15 $15 Verification of Certification $15 $15 - Affiliate Treatment Providers
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Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount Fee effective June 1, 2023 Application and examination $400 $200 Reexamination $250 $250 Renewal $500 $250 Inactive status $250 $250 Late renewal penalty $250 $125 Expired affiliate certificate reissuance $250 $250 Expired inactive affiliate certificate reissuance $100 $100 Duplicate certificate $15 $15
Licensing Requirements
- Sex Offender Treatment Provider (SOTP)
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Education
Education history to include a minimum of a master's degree from a recognized institution of higher learning. Applicant must provide an official transcript with degree and date posted, received directly from applicant's program. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation.
Professional experience
Professional experience required in the field of evaluation and treatment of sex offenders, a minimum of 2,000 hours must be completed. The hours must include at least 250 hours of evaluation experience and at least 250 hours of treatment experience.
Applicant must provide a detailed description of all experience to include hours acquired and calculated face-to-face treatment and evaluation hours.
To qualify for evaluation hours, the applicant must have had primary responsibility for interviewing the offender and completed the written report. In evaluation, the direct provision of comprehensive evaluation and assessment services to persons investigated by law enforcement or child protective services for commission of a sex offense or who have been adjudicated or convicted of a sex offense.
To qualify for treatment hours, the applicant must have had primary responsibility of treatment services with direct relevance to the offender's behavior. In the treatment, the provision of face-to-face individual, group, or family therapy with persons who have been investigated by law enforcement or child protective services for commission of a sex offense or who have been adjudicated or convicted of a sex offense.
Underlying credential
All applicants are required to hold a credential in another health profession in Washington or a state or jurisdiction other than Washington. This underlying registration, certification or license must be maintained in good standing.
Work history (professional training and experience)
Applicant must list all professional experience activities to include the nature, the practice, and the location.
Stat license verification
Applicant shall list all states where credentials are or were held, including where applicant has applied but a credential was not granted. A verification form must be completed and submitted by the jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed. Applicant sends the form to the jurisdiction for completion, and the jurisdiction sends the completed form directly to the department.
Personal data questions
Applicant must answer personal data questions regarding physical and mental health status; lack of impairment due to chemical dependency or substance abuse; history of loss of license, certification or registration; felony convictions; loss or limitation of privileges, disciplinary actions; and professional liability claims history.
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 pending, the applicant must indicate the status.
Additional information/documents required
- Successfully passed state exam. Score of 90 percent or above.
- Applicant certification verifying he/she is presumed to know Washington State statutes and rules.
- Signed statement stating the applicant doesn't intend to practice the profession for which he or she is credentialed by another state within the state of Washington without first obtaining an appropriate credential to do so from the state of Washington.
- Professional training obtained within the last three years. List 50 hours of courses, seminars, or formal conferences attended directly related to the evaluation and treatment of sex offenders or victims of abuse.
- Three professional references that can verify the applicant's experience requirement
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 18.155 RCW and chapter 246-930 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 and continuing education requirements
Providers must renew their certification every year on or before their birthday. They're required to submit the appropriate fee and renewal card. Forty hours of continuing education is required every two years.
- Affiliate Treatment Providers
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Education
Education history to include a minimum of a master's degree from a recognized institution of higher learning. Applicant must provide an official transcript with degree and date posted, received directly from applicant's program. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation.
Affiliated applicant's supervisor and contract
All affiliate applicants must provide a name, address, and telephone number of a supervisor. The supervisor will be used when an affiliate works with SSOSA (special sex offender sentencing alternative) and SSODA (special sex offender disposition alternative) clients. Supervision of an affiliate requires that the supervisor and the affiliate enter into a formal written contract defining the parameters of the professional relationship. The contract shall be submitted to the department for approval.
Underlying credential
All applicants are required to hold a credential in another health profession in Washington or a state or jurisdiction other than Washington. This underlying registration, certification or license must be maintained in good standing.
Work history (professional training and experience)
Applicant must list all professional experience activities to include the nature, the practice, and the location.
State license verification
Applicant shall list all states where credentials are or were held, including where applicant has applied but a credential was not granted. A verification form must be completed and submitted by the jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed. Applicant sends the form to the jurisdiction for completion, and the jurisdiction sends the completed form directly to the department.
Personal data questions
Applicant must answer personal data questions regarding physical and mental health status; lack of impairment due to chemical dependency or substance abuse; history of loss of license, certification or registration; felony convictions; loss or limitation of privileges, disciplinary actions; and professional liability claims history.
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 pending, the applicant must indicate the status.
Additional information/documents required
- Successfully passed state exam. Score of 90 percent or above.
- Applicant certification verifying he/she is presumed to know Washington State statutes and rules.
- Signed statement stating the applicant doesn't intend to practice the profession for which he or she is credentialed by another state within the state of Washington without first obtaining an appropriate credential to do so from the state of Washington.
- Professional training obtained within the last three years. List 50 hours of courses, seminars, or formal conferences attended directly related to the evaluation and treatment of sex offenders or victims of abuse.
- Three professional references that can verify the applicant's experience requirement.
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 18.155 RCW and chapter 246-930 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 and continuing education requirements
Affiliates must renew their certification every year on or before their birthday. They're required to submit the appropriate fee and renewal card. Forty hours of continuing education is required every two years.
Continuing Education (CE)
- See CE information below
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The aim of continuing education for sex offender treatment providers is to ensure that professionals practicing in this specialty field are knowledgeable of current scientific and practice principles that affect the supervision and treatment of sex offenders in community-based treatment. Since the treatment of sex offenders in communities raises significant public safety concerns, continuing education is required to help sex offender treatment providers deliver the highest quality of professional service by being familiar with current developments in a rapidly changing profession.
Every two years with the annual renewal, both fully certified and affiliate providers must have completed 40 hours of continuing education during the previous 24-month period. Thirty hours must have direct, specific relevance to the assessment and treatment of sex offenders.
The continuing education courses may consist of attendance at courses, workshops, institutes, conference presentations, audio or video tapes (for up to 10 hours) and other similar methods.
For more information on the continuing education requirement, please consult WAC 246-930-410 and 246-12 Part 7 Continuing Education.