Renewals Frequently Asked Questions
Online Renewals Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a convenience
fee?
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How do I renew my credential?
You may renew your credential by mail, in person, or online . Your renewal must be postmarked or received by midnight of the expiration date or it is considered late. We will assess a late fee. You may renew your credential up to 90 days before it expires. You should receive a courtesy renewal reminder six to eight weeks before the credential expires. If you do not receive the notice within four weeks of your expiration date, please call 360.236.4700 or email us for help.
We cannot accept credit/debit cards over the telephone.
We accept MasterCard or Visa credit/debit cards at the front counter and online.
Make checks or money orders payable to:
Washington State Department of Health
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099
How long will it take to process my renewal?
By mail: It will take approximately two weeks to update. This includes mailing time.
In person: If you deliver the payment in person to the front counter it will take approximately three to seven business days. This saves mail time and you will receive verification during the visit.
Our goal is to process all renewals sent by mail or submitted in person within seven business days after we receive them. This includes processing of the payment and review of any renewal related documentation.
Online: Credential expiration and last renewal dates are updated immediately upon completion of the online transaction.
How do I renew my credential without a renewal notice?
If your credential has been expired for longer than one renewal cycle, please contact our Customer Service Office.
Courtesy renewal notices are not required for renewal. You may update your credential by mailing your renewal payment to us with documentation of your name, credential number, current mailing address and any other renewal requirements.
You may renew in person without a renewal notice at our Tumwater location, or you may be eligible to renew online .
Please review your profession's webpage to determine the current renewal fees and requirements.
What is my expiration date?
Your credential lists the expiration date. For most professions, it is your birthday. You may also look at our
Provider/Facility Search to see your expiration date.
Your credential expires at midnight on your expiration date.How do I know if I have continuing education hours due?
The date your continuing education is due is listed under the fees on your courtesy renewal card.
Your profession's webpage lists the hours of required continuing education. You may also look on the
Provider/Facility Search to see when your continuing education hours are due.
If you have questions about your continuing education, please call 360.236.4700 or email us for help.
How do I request a duplicate of my credential?
Check the fee page for your profession to find the correct payment. Then send a check or money order payable to the Department of Health. Please note that you are requesting a duplicate credential and remember to include your credential number.
If it is within 90 days of your expiration date, you may renew your credential and receive an updated copy.
How do I update my mailing address?
You must send all address change requests in writing. If you are renewing and have received your renewal notice, please complete the address change request on the back of the card.
You may also complete the Address Change Form at any time. You may fax your change to 360.236.4818, or select the email button on the form once you fill it out. Or print form out and mail it to the Customer Service Office.
We must have your current mailing address in our system for you to renew online. We mail your updated credential to the address on file.
The United States Postal Service will not forward state mail so it is your responsibility to inform the Customer Service Office of an address change.
How do I change my name on my credential?
Please mail, email, or fax a copy of your certified marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order showing your name change to the
Customer Service Office. You will not be sent a credential showing your new name until your next renewal has been processed. You may also include this request when submitting your renewal by mail or in person. If you plan on renewing online, we must have your current name in our system prior to renewal. We will print your renewed credential with the name we have on file at the time of renewal.
If I am active military, how do I request military status?
- Military service members retain their credentials during active duty status and are allowed to practice throughout the state.
- We will place the service member on active military status when he or she provides a copy of their service orders to our
Customer Service Office. Active Military status credential holders must send a current copy of their orders to the
Customer Service Office each year before the credential expires.
- We do not charge renewal fees to credential holders in active military status.
- If the credential holder does not submit current orders on the renewal, the credential expires.
- Military service members have a six month period to update their credential after discharge.
- A military status is changed to active when:
- A copy of the discharge papers (DD214) is provided.
- The renewal fee is paid.
- Continuing education hours, if applicable, are not required upon return to active status.
- Regular renewal fees and continuing education requirements apply after the first post-discharge update.
- If the credential holder does not renew within six months after discharge, the credential expires. If the credential holder later asks to renew the credential, the regular process applies, including penalties.
How do I renew my credential if I still do not have a social security number?
State law requires us to collect social security numbers for credential holders. There are circumstances where a credential applicant or credential holder is not able to provide or obtain one. Please complete and submit the required form for renewal.
You must have a social security number to be eligible for online renewal.
Please contact us if you have any further questions.
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Online Renewal FAQs
When do I need to renew my credential?
Your credential expires at midnight of your expiration date. For most professions, it is your birthday. If you are using Online Renewal you must complete the renewal process prior to midnight of your due date or you will not be able to renew online. You may also view our
Provider/Facility Search to see your expiration date. For additional information please refer to
WAC 246.12.040 (2).
Can I renew online if my credential has expired?
No, you cannot renew an expired credential online.
When will my profession be able to renew online?
We will continue to implement online renewals over the next 12 months using a
phased-in approach. We'll then begin the online processes for new applications.
Please check back periodically for new professions that can be renewed online.
Why were these professions chosen?
We chose to start with this group because they have very few renewal requirements and give us a good number of license holders allowing us to test the system before we go live for larger professions.
What types of payments are accepted online?
The online renewal system will accept Visa and MasterCard payments.
Are other payment options being considered?
Yes, we are exploring other payment options, such as electronic checks (ACH). We will update the web site when other payment options become available.
Will I receive a receipt for my payment?
Yes, you will be able to print a receipt once your payment has been approved.
Who do I contact if I am having problems setting up my Secure Access Washington (SAW) account?
You may contact the SAW support center at 888.241.7597 or 360.753.2454 or
servicedesk@cts.wa.gov..
Why am I required to create a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account?
The Renew Online application can only be accessed through the Secure Access Washington (SAW) web portal. We’ve placed Renew Online in this portal to shield the application and the information it collects against harmful Internet activity. Before you can access the portal you must create a user ID and password.
Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8 or 9 have consistently worked well. If you choose Chrome 17; Firefox 7, 8, 9 or 10; or Safari 5.1.2 you may need to disable TLS (Transport Layer Security), if you do this, remember to enable it once you have received your payment receipt page.
Who should I contact if something happens during my online renewal?
Please contact our Customer Service Office if you experience any problems, or would like to provide us with feedback about the process. Our office hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm (PST), Monday – Friday.
How can I be assured my personal information will be safe while using your online renewal site?
Please review the Secure Access Washington privacy notice information.
Did the ability to renew on line cause my fee to increase?
Fees may be increased to cover inflationary impacts, costs to discipline practitioners, credentialing, and the ability to provide online licensing and renewals for practitioners. When a profession’s revenue and fund balance do not support current or projected expenses, we must consider increasing the profession’s fees. The request to raise fees is submitted to, and approved or denied by, the legislature.
Why is there a convenience
fee?
While the online renewal process is more convenient for our
customers, it does not reduce agency costs. We will continue to
mail renewal notices and licenses to our credential holders. Our
current renewal process is already mostly automated; therefore,
this new optional system will not decrease staff time. The
purpose of the convenience fee is to help cover costs of making
the online system available and credit card processing.
Can I renew our facility credential online?
At this time, health professional renewals are the focus of this legislative approved project. Upon successful completion of the health profession renewals, facility renewals will be looked at in the future.
Helpful Renewal Tips
- WARNING! Once you start the payment process, YOUR TRANSACTION IS NOT COMPLETE until you actually receive the payment receipt. So do not log off or shut down your computer UNTIL you get your receipt. Otherwise your transaction may not be complete in our system, and your renewal will not be accepted. This could cause your license to lapse.
- Do not stop payment on your check. This will result in a non-sufficient fund (NSF) fee.
- Save renewal cards in a place where they will not be damaged or lost.
- Send in the renewal payments as soon as you receive the renewal notice.
- You may renew by mail or in person up to 90 days in advance. Renewal notices are printed approximately 60 days prior to credential expiration dates.
- Check your bank account before calling to see if the renewal payment has cleared your account.
- As soon as your credential is renewed, the updated information will show on our
Provider/Facility Search.
All fees are non-refundable.
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