Washington Licensure Guide

You can do this! 🧡 Washington RD licensure is manageable when you take it step by step. This guide lays out each step clearly and includes extra detail on fingerprints!

💰All cost are fully reimbursable! Nourish covers all Washington licensing costs—application fees, fingerprints, mailing, everything. Submit your expenses through Ramp, check out Licensing Reimbursement for more information. You'll also receive a $75 bonus via payroll after you upload your license to your Provider Portal.

⏱️ Timeline Expectations

• Account setup & application: 1-2 hours

• Fingerprint email from DOH: 7-14 days after submission

  • Every out-of-state applicant must complete, for in-state providers you will complete if needed.

• Fingerprint processing: 2-4 weeks

• Total time to licensure: 6-10 weeks typically

💬 Questions? We're here to help! The Licensing team is available if you get stuck at any point. Reach out via email—we want you to succeed!

• Background check required for every out-of-state applicant (fingerprint-based with Washington State Patrol and FBI)

• Annual renewal on your birthday

• If your initial credential is issued within 90 days of your birthday, renewal will be due on your next birthday

• Application fee: $81

• Create a Secure Access Washington Account

  • Go to the Secure Access Washington (SAW) website.

  • Select "Sign up." If you already have a SAW account, sign in with your user ID and password you previously created and continue to "Step 2" below.

  • Follow the steps to register

  • The system will send you an email confirming the registration.

  • Select the link in the email that follows this statement: “To activate your new account, select the following link." This step is required to complete the registration process.

  • If you experience problems with the SAW site, contact WATech at 855-928-3241 or email support@watech.wa.gov.

• Create a Link to the Department of Health Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS)

  • Log in to your SAW account using your SAW user ID and password you previously created.

  • Select the “My Services” option along top menu, then “Add Service”

  • Add by Agency - select “Department of Health”

  • Scroll to “Health Professional and Facility Licensing (HELMS)”. Select “Add.”

  • Click on “My Services” and choose “Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS).”

    • Choose MFA Method - select first option (email)

    • select “Enter Emailed Code”

    • Code emailed to inbox, enter code to verify account

    • Select “Remember device”

    • Select “Continue to Health Professional and Facility Licensing”

  • Privacy Agreement

  • Locate your account

    • Complete the information:

      • Last name, date of birth, and social security number (SSN) are required fields.

      • Click “Search.”

    • If you don't have a match or have never had a state of Washington credential, select “No.”

    • If you do have a partial match, you'll be asked additional questions. Select an answer, then click “Validate.”

    • If you have a full match, you'll be asked to update the personal information on your profile page. You'll not be able to update any grayed-out field. Once complete, click “Save.”

  • My Profile Information

    • Add name, date of birth, and gender

    • Mailing address - Validate

    • Email Address

    • Save

• Log in to HELMS → Click "Profession Credentialing"

  

• Select "Start Application - Professional Credential"

• Search License → Select "Dietitian Certification"

  

• Click through "Prerequisite information" → "Continue"

Application Sections:

• Demographic Information

  

  • SSN is required (if not added, go back to "My Profile" > Edit > Add SSN)

• Demographic Survey (Required)

  

  • Click the survey link in section #3 or use this direct link

  • Complete Captcha → "Begin Survey" → Answer all questions → SUBMIT

  • Survey screenshots below:

    

    

    

    

    

• Personal Data Questions

  • Answer all required questions

    

    

• National Provider Identifier Number

  • Add your NPI Number

• Military Spouse/etc.

  • Select if applicable

• Other Licenses or Certifications

  • If you hold licenses in other states, select "Yes" and list them

  • You'll need to request license verifications from each state (instructions below)

• Training & Education

  • Add your undergraduate and graduate education

  • Official transcripts must be sent directly from your college/university to WA DOH (see transcript instructions below)

• Experience

  • List all employment history, starting with Nourish

• Examinations

  • Complete this section

• Supporting Documentation

  • Upload your CDR card

• Additional Information → Attestation

  • Review → Click "I agree" → "Save & Next"

• Review → Payment

  • Review your application carefully

  • Submit payment: $81 application fee

  • Click "Submit"

✅ Application submitted! Now move on to license verifications and transcripts.

If you hold licenses in other states, those states must verify your credentials directly to Washington DOH.

1. Print the Out-of-State Credential Verification Form

2. Submit the form to each state board where you hold a license

3. Ask them to complete the form and send it to WA DOH

Don't worry if a state board won't use WA's form—they can send their own verification directly to WA DOH!

Washington requires official transcripts showing your degree and graduation date, sent directly from your college/university to WA DOH.

1. Find the right office

• Most universities have a Registrar's Office (or outsource to services like Parchment, Credential Solutions, or National Student Clearinghouse)

• Check your university's website under "Registrar" → "Transcripts"

2. Gather your information

• Full name used while enrolled

• Dates of attendance

• Degree(s) awarded and graduation date(s)

• Recipient address (WA DOH—see below)

3. Choose delivery method

• Electronic (Preferred—faster and often cheaper)

  • Email to: hsqacredentialing@doh.wa.gov

• Paper/Mail

  • Request a sealed official transcript

  • Mail to:

    P.O. Box 47877

    Olympia, WA 98504-7877

4. Complete the transcript request form

• Purpose: Licensure / Professional Board Submission

• Include payment (fee varies by school)

5. Processing time

• Electronic: 3-10 business days

• Mailed: 7-14 business days

• Many schools offer expedited shipping for additional fees

6. Track confirmation

• Save tracking info if mailed

• Follow up with WA board if needed to confirm receipt

A background check is processed for every out-of-state applicant. DOH will need to obtain a fingerprint-based background check with the Washington State Patrol and FBI.

🧡 You're not alone! Please reach out if you have any questions. After you submit your application, WA DOH will email you fingerprint instructions within 7-14 days. If you don't receive the email in this timeframe, reach out to the WA board to follow up.

You have two options for fingerprints:

Option 1: LiveScan via IdentoGO (Preferred—Fast & Easy)

This is the recommended method if you live near an IdentoGO location.

• Visit wa.state.identogo.com

  

• Select "Out-of-State Digital Fingerprinting Services (Live Scan)"

• Agency/Applicant type: Select "Washington State Department of Health (DOH)" → Click "Go >"

  

• Enter your Person/Employee ID: "DIET.DI.XXXXX" (listed in the email from the board)

• Enter your date of birth → Click "Go >"

  

• Confirm your name on the pop-up → Click "Correct Applicant, continue"

  

• Accept Privacy Rights → Click "Go >"

  

• Enter your zip code to find the nearest location

  

• Select a location, date, and time → Click "Schedule"

• Complete "Applicant Information" (ensure all info is accurate)

• Review on "Information Verification" screen → Click "Go >"

• Payment: Choose to pay onsite at your appointment OR pay online now

Option 2: Physical Fingerprint Card (For Areas without an IdentoGO)

Use this option if you don't live near an IdentoGO location.

1. Request a fingerprint packet

• Email HSQAFingerprintNotice@doh.wa.gov with:

  • Your WA DOH Credential ID (format: DIET.DI.XXXXX)

  • Full name, date of birth, and mailing address

2. What you'll receive

• DOH instruction letter

• Privacy rights notice

• Instructions for submitting a fingerprint card

• FD-258 fingerprint card

3. Get ink fingerprints

• Schedule an appointment at a local law enforcement office or fingerprinting service

• Bring your FD-258 card

• Important: The technician must sign and date the card where required

4. Complete the card

• Fill all applicant fields in black ink exactly as instructed (name, aliases if any, DOB, sex, height, weight, eye color, hair color, etc.)

• Do NOT fold, staple, tape, or smudge the card

5. Include payment

• Check or money order to "Washington State Department of Health"

• Write your name + Credential ID in the memo line

• Amount listed in the DOH letter

6. Mail the packet

• Send the completed FD-258 card and payment to the address in the DOH letter

• Use trackable mailing if possible

• Keep a photo/scan of your signed card and mailing receipt for your records and reimbursement

7. After mailing

• DOH routes prints to WSP/FBI (processing times vary)

• If prints are rejected as unreadable, DOH will email you with redo instructions

💡Tips for fingerprint appointment

• Bring a government ID to your fingerprint appointment

• Ensure all fingerprints are clear; poor quality can cause delays

• Keep a photo/scan of your signed FD‑258 and mailing receipt for your records as well as reimbursement!

Once Washington approves your license, upload it immediately to your Nourish Provider Portal.

💵 After you upload your Washington license to the Provider Portal, you'll receive a $75 bonus via payroll. Plus, all your expenses, application fee, fingerprints, mailing, etc., are fully reimbursed through Ramp! Check out Licensing Reimbursement for more information.