Getting licensed to practice as a physician assistant in Washington means applying through the Washington Medical Commission, completing primary source verification of your credentials, and then enrolling with payers so you can bill. Here's how it works — and how Rivon handles Washington licensing and credentialing for you.
Official WA boardApply, renew, or look up a license on the Washington Medical Commission websiteHow to get licensed in Washington
- 01Confirm eligibility and gather documents — diploma, training verification, PANCE / NCCPA certification, current licenses, DEA, and a complete work history.
- 02Submit the application to the Washington Medical Commission, with all fees and supporting documents.
- 03Primary source verification — the board confirms your education, training, licensure, certification, and background (including the NPDB) directly with each source.
- 04Board review and issuance — once the file is complete and verified, Washington issues your license.
- 05Enroll with payers and keep the license current — track the renewal cycle and CE/CME so it never lapses.
Licensing board
Washington Medical Commission
The WA board sets Washington's application, documentation, fees, and renewal requirements.
Board websiteEstimated application fee
$136
An estimate; confirm current fees with the Washington Medical Commission. Amounts vary by license type and change over time.
Typical timeline
~45 days
From a complete file to issuance — driven mostly by how fast primary sources respond. A clean, error-free application is the best way to stay near the low end.
Free WA checklist
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Renewing your Washington PA license
Once you're licensed, the Washington Medical Commission requires you to renew on a set cycle. Here are the renewal rules as the board publishes them.
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Deadline
- Expires every two years on the PA's birthday; renewal fees accepted no sooner than 90 days before expiration
- Renewal fee
- $419 (two-year renewal); $174 retired active (late fee: $124 late renewal penalty ($35 retired active); expired over two years: $419 renewal + $124 penalty + $50 reissuance = $593)
- Continuing education (CE)
- 100 hours CME every 2 years (at least 40 Category I), or current NCCPA certification / AAPA or NCCPA maintenance-of-competency program in lieu
- Minimum 40 of the 100 hours in Category I
- Current NCCPA certification accepted in lieu of the 100 hours
- 2 hours health equity CE every 4 years (WAC 246-918-195)
- One-time 6-hour training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management (WAC 246-918-185)
- One-time 1-hour opioid prescribing CE for PAs licensed to prescribe opioids
- How to renew
- Online through the Department of Health HELMS licensing portal (employers can pay via Payment Pin)
- NoteCME review period begins on the first birthday after initial licensure; CME may be audited
- NoteThe commission's fee list also shows a $140 Washington Physician Health Program surcharge (RCW 18.71.310) and a $32 HEAL-WA fee; confirm the total due at renewal in HELMS
- NotePractice/collaboration agreement must stay current with the commission
Last verified October 3, 2026 from the Washington Medical Commission. As published by the board; confirm current requirements before renewing.
SourcesWMC - FeesWAC 246-918-171 Renewal and CME cycleWAC 246-918-180 CME requirementsWAC 246-918 (full chapter)
Renewal tracking
Never miss a Washington renewal
Rivon tracks your license expiration, CEhours and DEA, and reminds you before you're due.
Physician Assistant credentialing & payer enrollment in Washington
A Washington license lets you practice; credentialing lets you get paid. Before a health plan will reimburse you, it verifies your license, training, and history. Here's what that usually involves:
- 01Keep your NPI record (NPPES) current — your name, practice address, and taxonomy code should match your Washington license exactly.
- 02Complete your CAQH ProView profile: upload your Washington license and other documents, attest, and authorize each plan to view it. Re-attest every 120 days.
- 03Apply to each commercial health plan you want to join in Washington. Each runs its own credentialing review using your CAQH data.
- 04If you'll see Medicaid patients, enroll with Washington Medicaid (and any Medicaid managed-care plans you'll work with).
- 05If you'll bill Medicare, enroll through PECOS.
- 06If you'll work in a hospital or surgery center, apply for privileges there — each facility credentials you separately.
New to CAQH? Read our CAQH ProView guide for setup, your CAQH ID, and re-attestation.
How Rivon handles Washington licensing & credentialing
On the Rivon platform, your Washington license, DEA, and certifications live in one record with always-on monitoring that flags every renewal weeks early — so nothing lapses with the Washington Medical Commission. Document AI reads each credential and fills the profile without retyping, and licensing & credentialing pipelines run primary source verification and payer enrollment in parallel.
Prefer to hand it off? Rivon's white-glove team manages the entire Washington application end to end — gathering documents, completing verification, and shepherding payer enrollment — while you watch progress in real time.
Washington physician assistant licensing FAQ
How long does it take to get a PA license in Washington?
Most Washington physician assistant applications take about 45 days once the Washington Medical Commission has a complete file, though timelines vary with how quickly primary sources (schools, prior boards, the NPDB) respond. Submitting a complete, error-free application is the single biggest way to avoid delays.
Which board licenses physician assistants in Washington?
Physician assistants in Washington are licensed by the Washington Medical Commission, which verifies education, training, exams, and background before granting a license.
How much is the Washington physician assistant application fee?
As an estimate, the Washington physician assistant application fee is around $136. Fees change and vary by license type — always confirm the current amount directly with the Washington Medical Commission before you apply.
How do I renew my Washington PA license?
In Washington, renewals are filed with the Washington Medical Commission. How to renew: Online through the Department of Health HELMS licensing portal (employers can pay via Payment Pin). Renewal cycle: Every 2 years. Deadline: Expires every two years on the PA's birthday; renewal fees accepted no sooner than 90 days before expiration. Renewal fee: $419 (two-year renewal); $174 retired active (late fee: $124 late renewal penalty ($35 retired active); expired over two years: $419 renewal + $124 penalty + $50 reissuance = $593). Continuing education: 100 hours CME every 2 years (at least 40 Category I), or current NCCPA certification / AAPA or NCCPA maintenance-of-competency program in lieu. Required topics include Minimum 40 of the 100 hours in Category I; Current NCCPA certification accepted in lieu of the 100 hours; 2 hours health equity CE every 4 years (WAC 246-918-195); One-time 6-hour training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management (WAC 246-918-185); One-time 1-hour opioid prescribing CE for PAs licensed to prescribe opioids. This is as published by the board (last verified October 3, 2026); confirm before renewing. Rivon tracks the expiration date and flags it well before it's due.
How many CE hours do I need to renew a PA license in Washington?
100 CE hours. The Washington Medical Commission publishes the requirement as: 100 hours CME every 2 years (at least 40 Category I), or current NCCPA certification / AAPA or NCCPA maintenance-of-competency program in lieu. Required topics include Minimum 40 of the 100 hours in Category I; Current NCCPA certification accepted in lieu of the 100 hours; 2 hours health equity CE every 4 years (WAC 246-918-195); One-time 6-hour training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management (WAC 246-918-185); One-time 1-hour opioid prescribing CE for PAs licensed to prescribe opioids. Last verified October 3, 2026; confirm with the board before renewing. Rivon tracks your CE hours against the requirement so you're not caught short.
How do I look up or verify a Washington physician assistant license?
Use the license lookup (verification) tool on the Washington Medical Commission's official website. It shows whether a license is active and when it expires.
What does physician assistant credentialing involve in Washington?
Credentialing is how health plans and facilities verify your qualifications before you can bill them or practice with them. In Washington that usually means an up-to-date NPI record, a complete and attested CAQH ProView profile, an application to each plan you want to join, and — if you'll bill them — Washington Medicaid enrollment and Medicare enrollment through PECOS.
Do I need a Washington license to practice telehealth there?
Generally yes. Licensure follows where the patient is located, so to treat patients in Washington — including by telehealth — you typically need a Washington license unless a specific exception applies.
Can Rivon handle Washington physician assistant licensing and credentialing for me?
Yes. On the Rivon platform you can track every Washington license and renewal with always-on monitoring and run credentialing with primary source verification. Or hand it to Rivon's white-glove team, which manages the Washington application and payer enrollment end to end.