Washington Dental Licensing and the Compact

Washington's dentist licensing is run by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission, and its route for dentists licensed elsewhere is called licensure without examination. The statute is short and the rule is specific, and the rule was amended effective August 8, 2026, so older checklists may be out of date.

Washington has also enacted the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. As in every member state, no compact privileges are being issued yet, so a Washington license is still the only way to practice there.

Who can be licensed without examination?

RCW 18.32.215 says "an applicant holding a valid license and currently engaged in practice in another state may be granted a license without examination" if the applicant graduated from a dental school approved by the commission. A graduate of a school the commission has not approved qualifies instead by practicing in another state for at least four years and completing a one-year postdoctoral residency the commission approves. The commission may also require the applicant to "demonstrate to the commission a knowledge of Washington law pertaining to the practice of dentistry."

What does "currently engaged in practice" mean?

WAC 246-817-135 turns the statute's phrase into four ways to qualify. You prove one of these:

• Federal service: documentation from your commanding officer covering length of service, duties and any adverse actions.
• Dental school employment: documentation from the dean or an administrator of an approved dental school.
• A dental residency: documentation from the residency director.
• Private practice: "practicing dentistry for a minimum of 20 hours per week for the four consecutive years preceding application" in another state or territory.

For the private-practice route, you must provide the address of each practice location, how long you were at each, "a letter from all malpractice insurance carrier(s) defining years when insured and any claims history," and your DEA numbers if you have any. Carrier letters can take time, especially if you changed insurers or practiced under a group policy. Order them early. See years-of-practice rules for licensure by credentials.

What else does the Washington file need?

The rest of WAC 246-817-135 lists:

• a completed application and the fees under WAC 246-817-990;
• a verification from a US state or territory board of an active, unrestricted credential, including whether you have been the subject of final or pending discipline;
• proof of graduation from an approved dental school, where "the only acceptable proof is an official, posted transcript sent directly from such school";
• proof of passing a commission-approved written jurisprudence examination;
• a recent 2" x 2" photograph, signed, dated and attached to the application; and
• authorization for background inquiries, which may include the National Practitioner Data Bank and the DEA.

See dental jurisprudence and law exams by state and the NPDB and AADB clearinghouse in a dental application.

Which exams does Washington accept for licensure by examination?

For dentists applying by examination, WAC 246-817-120 requires a written exam (the INBDE, Parts I and II of the National Board, or the Canadian national exam) and a practical exam covering restorative, endodontic, periodontal and prosthodontic sections plus comprehensive treatment planning or diagnostic skills. The rule names WREB, CRDTS, CDCA, SRTA, CITA, ADEX and individual state board exams among the accepted practical exams. It also still names the DLOSCE, which is no longer offered as a standalone exam. The practical sections must come from one testing agency, or from at most two agencies coordinating with each other. See the DLOSCE folds into ADEX.

Are there other Washington license types?

The commission's rules also cover faculty licenses for dentists teaching at a Washington dental school, temporary practice permits (including one for military spouses), dental assistant registration, licensed expanded function dental auxiliaries and dental anesthesia assistant certification. Each is its own credential. See faculty and restricted dental licenses and EFDA and dental assistant registrations by state.

Does compact membership change anything in Washington today?

Washington enacted the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, and it is one of 13 member states. The Council of State Governments says the compact "has reached activation status, however compact privileges are not yet being issued." No application or fee exists. See the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, explained.

How do we help with Washington?

Our Dentist License by Credentials service is $799 for Washington. We confirm which practice proof fits you, request carrier history letters from every malpractice insurer, arrange the direct transcript and board verifications, schedule the jurisprudence exam, and give you a question-by-question guide to the application. You sign and date your photo and application, pay the fee and submit it yourself, and you take the jurisprudence exam yourself. Jurisprudence Exam Logistics is $249. State fees are separate. See the Washington requirements page or begin with the $149 Dental Licensure Readiness Review.