Washington Board of Dentistry

About the Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission

The Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) is the state body that sets standards, investigates complaints, and disciplines dental credential holders practicing in Washington. The Commission operates within the Washington State Department of Health's Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) division, which administers the licensing portal and processes applications.

Washington licenses dentists and a range of related credentials, including dental hygienists, dental assistants, denturists, expanded function dental auxiliaries, dental anesthesia assistants, and dental therapists — each with its own credential type administered through DOH-HSQA.

Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (DDH)

On May 4, 2023, Governor Inslee signed ESHB 1576, making Washington one of the early participating states in the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (DDH). The DDH is an interstate agreement that provides a pathway through which dentists and dental hygienists can obtain authorization to practice in states where they are not licensed, creating reciprocity among participating states. The compact will be enacted once seven states become participating states.

License types in Washington

The Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission and DOH-HSQA issue the following credential types for dental practice in Washington:

• Dentist — full-practice license for graduates of a CODA-accredited dental school who meet Washington's examination, application, and jurisprudence requirements.
• Sedation permit — a separate permit required for dentists administering moderate sedation with enteral or parenteral agents, or general anesthesia/deep sedation, governed by WAC 246-817-755, -760, and -770.
• Dental Resident — Limited — limited license for postdoctoral students or residents in an approved dental residency program; permits practice only within the scope of the postdoctoral program.
• Dental Faculty — Limited — limited license for dentists licensed in another state or country who are accepted for employment by a Washington dental school; permits practice only in connection with school duties.

Renewal

Dentists 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. Any renewal postmarked or presented to the department after midnight on the expiration date is late.

At renewal, dentists must attest to completing 63 hours of continuing education every three years as part of the renewal process.

Applying for a Washington dental license

Washington dental license applications are submitted online through the DOH credentialing portal or by paper PDF. The DOH online application portal is the preferred method and allows applicants to track their pending credential number via the Provider Credential Search tool.

Education and examination requirements

• Education — graduation from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited dental school with a DDS or DMD degree. Official transcript with degree posted, or a verified list of graduating students submitted directly from the dean, is required.
• Written examination — applicants must pass an acceptable written exam: the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) or the National Board Dental Examination Parts I and II (NBDE).
• Clinical examination — passing a complete practical-clinical examination from an approved testing organization is required. Results must be from within the preceding five years from the date of application for licensure. The DQAC has determined the California State Dental Board portfolio examination is not acceptable for Washington licensure.
• Jurisprudence examination — all applicants must pass the dental jurisprudence examination, administered online at fortress.wa.gov/doh/opinio.

Other required items

• DEA verification (DEA Authorization form submitted by the DEA)
• Out-of-state license verification (if holding credentials in other states)
• 2 × 2 photo, signed and dated
• Background check (fingerprint-based check required for some applicants)
• Fees paid at time of application submission

Endorsement (out-of-state licensees)

Dentists licensed in other U.S. states or territories must meet the requirements of RCW 18.32.215 and WAC 246-817-135, including holding a valid out-of-state license, graduating from a CODA-accredited school, and demonstrating active practice (20+ hours per week for four consecutive preceding years, or equivalent qualifying activity).

Fees and license renewal

Washington dental licenses renew annually. The credential expires on the credential holder's birthday and may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date. The Department of Health emails a courtesy renewal notice to the email address on file; licensees must keep their contact information current to receive this notice.

Key renewal rules

• Any renewal postmarked or received after midnight on the expiration date is late, even with a timely postmark — do not wait until the last day.
• Mail renewals take approximately two weeks to process; include CE attestation to complete the renewal.
• Practicing with an expired license is not permitted. If your license expires, you may not practice until it is renewed or reactivated.
• Expired credentials may be reactivated; separate paper application forms exist for credentials expired less than three years and for those expired more than three years.

Continuing education requirements

Washington dentists are required to complete 63 hours of continuing education every three years as a condition of license renewal. At renewal, dentists attest to having completed the required CE — physical documentation is not submitted unless the licensee is selected for an audit.

Acceptable continuing education is defined in WAC 246-817-440. The DQAC's stated goal for CE is to "encourage the lifetime professional development and enhance the clinical and overall skills to protect the health and safety of all patients."

CE mechanisms

• Courses from approved providers — the primary method; WAC 246-817-440 specifies the acceptable categories and provider criteria.
• Critical Evaluation of Journal Article Questionnaire — a DOH-provided PDF form that licensed dentists may complete to earn CE hours. See the CE frequently asked questions at doh.wa.gov/dentist/continuing-education for details and limits.

Scope of practice

The scope of practice for Washington dentists is defined by chapter 18.32 RCW and chapter 246-817 WAC. Applications are reviewed by the DQAC for compliance with these statutes and rules, and approval or denial authority rests with the Commission's disciplining authority.

Anesthesia and sedation

A separate permit is required to administer the following in a dental setting:

• Moderate sedation with enteral agents (WAC 246-817-755)
• Moderate sedation with parenteral agents (WAC 246-817-760)
• General anesthesia and deep sedation (WAC 246-817-770)

Dental therapists

Washington authorizes dental therapists as a licensed credential type distinct from dentists. Dental therapists practice under a Collaborative Practice Agreement. See the DOH dental therapist credential page at doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates for current requirements.

Opioid prescribing

The DQAC co-signed an Interpretive Statement on opioid prescribing rules filed with the Office of the Code Reviser as WSR 19-20-063 on September 20, 2019. The statement was a joint communication from the State Health Officer, DQAC, and several other boards to help practitioners better understand existing opioid prescribing rules. Washington dentists with DEA prescribing authority should also be enrolled in the state's Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP).

Filing a complaint

Complaints about Washington dental licensees are filed with the Washington State Department of Health's Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) division, which conducts investigations on behalf of the Dental Quality Assurance Commission. Complaints may be submitted online, by email, or by mail.

How to file a complaint

• Online — complete the complaint intake form at fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/ComplaintIntakeForm.aspx
• Email — send to hsqacomplaintintake@doh.wa.gov
• By mail — Washington State Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance, P.O. 47857, Olympia, WA 98504-7857
• Complaint forms in other languages — call 360-236-2620 to request a form in a language not listed on the complaint page. Deaf or hard of hearing: call 711 (Washington Relay).

What to include

When filing a complaint about a provider, include:

• Your specific complaint with as much detail as possible
• The full name of the individual provider
• The provider's business address

Washington State Dental Association

The Washington State Dental Association (WSDA) is the voice of dentistry in Washington. With over 4,000 member dentists, WSDA is dedicated to being the leader in advocacy and support for dentists pursuing excellence in Washington State.

Advocacy and resources

• Legislative advocacy — WSDA advocates for dentist-led practices and dental benefit reform at the state level through its annual Dental Action Day in Olympia. The 2027 Dental Action Day is scheduled for February 25, 2027.
• ComplyBetter — WSDA's online, on-demand dental compliance service covering HIPAA, OSHA/WISHA, infection control requirements, and more, available to WSDA members.
• WSDA News magazine — WSDA's member publication covering advocacy, policy, and professional news for Washington dentists.

Pacific Northwest Dental Conference (PNDC)

WSDA's annual continuing education conference, the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference (PNDC), is a major professional development event for Washington dental teams. PNDC 2026 is scheduled for May 28–30 in Seattle, offering 20+ CE credits, an exhibit hall, and affordable pricing for the entire dental team.

Dental education in Washington

Washington recently expanded its dental education landscape: the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences School of Dental Medicine in Yakima opened in fall 2025, becoming Washington's second dental school alongside the University of Washington School of Dentistry.

Disciplinary actions and license lookup

Washington dental license status and disciplinary records are accessible through the DOH Provider Credential Search tool. The tool allows the public and employers to look up any Washington dental credential holder by name or credential number, view current credential status, and check for any disciplinary actions on record.

• Provider Credential Search — available at doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/provider-credential-or-facility-search (or through the direct portal at fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch). Searches return the credential holder's status, credential type, and credential number.
• Disciplinary actions — formal disciplinary actions taken by the DQAC appear in the credential record and are public. The DOH complaint page provides additional detail on the types of disciplinary outcomes available to the Commission.

Other state dental boards