Licensing Requirements

• Chapter 18.30 RCW
• Chapter 246-812 WAC

Education

Applicant must have successful completion of formal training with a major course of study in denturism of not less than two years duration at an educational institution recognized by the board. Applicant must request official transcript(s) be sent to the department showing completion of formal training with a major course of study in denturism.

The following education programs have been approved by the board:

• American Denturist College, Eugene, Oregon
• Bates Technical College, Tacoma, Washington
• George Brown College, Ontario, Canada
• New England School of Denture Technology, Bangor, Maine
• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Alberta, Canada
• Vancouver Community College, Vancouver, British Columbia if completed after 2000 and before July 2015

 

Applicant must list all professional education and experience, including college or university, and a complete chronology of practice history. Include all time periods whether or not engaged in activities related to the practice of denturism.

 

Examinations

Applicant must pass the board-administered written and clinical exams or successfully complete written and clinical exams recognized by the board

Verification of passing scores must be sent directly to the department.

• Verification of scores from Oregon will be accepted if the state exams were taken and passed before March 1, 2015.
• Verification of scores from Maine will be accepted if the exams were taken and passed before July 1, 2012.

State license verification

Applicant must 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 (PDF) by the jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed. The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. 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, applicant must indicate status.

Endorsement

Proof of successfully passing both a written and clinical exam for denturism in a state that has substantially equivalent licensing standards as those in Washington State. The following states have been determined to meet the equivalency standards:

• Maine – 1. If applicant completed a Washington board-approved denturist program and was licensed before July 1, 2012; or
  2. Applicant completed a Washington board-approved denturist program, completed the Denturist Qualifying Examinations administered by the Denturist Examination Group and was licensed after February 23, 2018.
• Montana – If applicant completed a Washington board-approved denturist program, completed the Denturist Qualifying Examinations administered by the Denturist Examination Group and was licensed after February 23, 2018, and was licensed by exam and not by endorsement.
• Oregon – If applicant completed a Washington board-approved denturist program and the state exams were passed before March 1, 2015.
• Arizona- If the applicant completed a Washington board approved program, completed the Denturist Qualifying Examinations administered by the Denturists Examination Group and was licensed after 23, 2018.

Continuing education requirements

Denturists are required to verify 15 clock hours of continuing education yearly. Refer to WAC 246-812-020 and WAC 246-12 Part 7.

Examination Schedule

See exam schedule below

(subject to change)

Date	Location
Date March 21-22, 2025	Location Clinical (practical) Examination Bates Technical College 1101 S. Yakima Ave. Tacoma, WA Application Deadline: January 20, 2025
Date August 22-23, 2025	Location Clinical (practical) Examination Bates Technical College 1101 S. Yakima Ave. Tacoma, WA

Retake candidates: Notification, in writing, of intent to retake denturist written and/or clinical examination must be postmarked 60 days prior to the requested examination date. Appropriate retake fees must be postmarked 30 days prior to the requested examination date.

First-time candidates: Applications must be postmarked 60 days prior to the requested examination date. Application supporting documents, including appropriate examination fee, must be postmarked 30 days prior to the requested examination. A candidate must first pass the written examination prior to being scheduled for the clinical examination (effective June 2024).

Note: Scheduled clinical examination dates are subject to change. The board requires a minimum of four candidates to conduct the clinical examination. If there are less than four candidates, the clinical examination will be canceled, and the candidates will be scheduled for the next examination.

For more information about continuing competency (CE), denturist inactive license, denturist retired active license, etc, see our frequently asked questions.