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.
Email HSQAReview6@doh.wa.gov for additional documentation.
For further information please see:
- 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
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.
- Apply on Paper
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Please download and print applicable forms necessary to complete the application process.
- Veterinary Application (PDF)
- Veterinary Specialty Application (PDF)
- Veterinary Expired Credential Reactivation Application (PDF)
- Return to Active Veterinary Status from Retired Active Status Forms and Instructions (PDF)
- Retired Active Credential Renewal Declaration of Practice (PDF)
- Credential Verification (PDF)
- Humane society, animal care and control agency
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Please download and print applicable forms necessary to complete the application process.
Related applications and forms
Fee Schedule
- Veterinarian
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WAC 246-933-990 - Veterinarian fees and renewal cycle
Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount National examination (NAVLE) $740 State examination (initial/retake) $210 Initial state license $161* Specialty licensure $156* Temporary permit $215 State or specialty license renewal $211** Retired active renewal $121** Late renewal penalty (state and specialty license) $80 Expired license reissuance $90 Late renewal penalty (retired active license) $50 Duplicate license $10 Verification of license
$25 * * Includes the $16.00 UW HEAL-WA fee.
** Includes the $16.00 UW HEAL-WA fee and the $3 5Washington Physician Health Program substance abuse monitoring surcharge.
WAC 246-12-340 - Refund of fees - Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are nonrefundable.
- Humane society, animal care and control agency
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WAC 246-933-990 - Veterinarian fees and renewal cycle
Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount Entity registration $120 Entity renewal $100 Late renewal penalty $80 Expired registration reissuance $80 WAC 246-12-340 - Refund of fees - Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are nonrefundable.
Licensing Requirements
- See licensing requirements below
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Education
Applicants must graduate from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited school. An official transcript with degree and date posted must be received directly from applicant's program. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation. Applicants from a non-accredited school must complete either the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) program or Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE).
If you are an exam applicant and your transcripts are not yet available, you will be considered for approval to take the examination on submission of a letter from your program director. The letter must state your current enrollment and expected date of graduation. Your license, however, will not be issued until an official transcript has been received.
Examination
Applicants must pass the National Board Examination or the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Scores are verified by the appropriate organization or agency.
The North American Veterinarian Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is held twice each year. These dates can be viewed at the International Council for Veterinary Assessment Web site at: www.icva.net.
The following is required for authorization to take the NAVLE examination:
- Complete and submit an NAVLE examination registration application and fee directly to ICVA.
- Complete and submit a veterinarian license application and initial license fee directly to Washington state.
- Washington state veterinarian license application must include copy of receipt verifying payment for NAVLE, no later than 60 days prior to the posted NAVLE examination cut-off date.
- NAVLE will notify successful candidates of their authorization to take the examination.
If you are an exam applicant and your transcripts are not yet available, you will be considered for approval to take the examination on submission of a letter from your program director. The letter must state your current enrollment and expected date of graduation. Your license, however, will not be issued until an official transcript has been received.
Washington State Jurisprudence Examination - The state jurisprudence examination is a state law and rule, mail-home/open book examination. This exam will be provided after initial application and state exam fees are received. You must obtain a 90 percent score on the state examination. There are 50 questions, and each question is worth two points.
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.
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 a case is pending, applicant must indicate status.
Additional information/documents required
- Successful completion of the Washington State Jurisprudence Examination. The state jurisprudence examination is a state law and rule, mail-home/open book examination. This exam will be provided after initial application and state exam fees are received. You must obtain a 90 percent score on the state examination. There are 50 questions, and each question is worth two points.
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 18.92 RCW and chapter 246-933 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 requirements
Veterinarians must renew their license every year. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday and may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date.
Continuing education requirements
Veterinarians must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing every two years in order to renew their license. See WAC 246-933-401 through WAC 246-933-460 for continuing education requirements. Live, Web-based courses are not subject to an hour limitation as long as they occur in real time, attendees receive written or verbal responses their questions, and other veterinarians are able to participate at the same time.