Your military experience might help you, your spouse or your domestic partner meet licensing requirements. Learn how to get or transfer a professional license or place it on inactive status.
Before you get started
Your military experience or training might help you meet licensing requirements. You may also be able to get an expedited license if you're moving here with a current license from another state. For more information contact the Military and Military Spouse Coordinator at DOLBPDOUTREACH@dol.wa.gov.
Get or transfer a professional or business license
Active or reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, National Guard, Merchant Marines, and military spouses or registered domestic partners are eligible for assistance in getting an expedited professional license in Washington state.
You may be eligible to use your military experience to meet the qualifications for licensure. If you have a current professional license from another state and are relocating to Washington state, you may be able to expedite the processing and receipt of your license.
For more specific information, contact the program area for your license or profession.
Manage your professional or business license while deployed
Active or reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, National Guard, Merchant Marines, and military spouses or registered domestic partners are eligible for assistance putting a professional license on military or inactive status.
Put your license on military status
If you have a professional license issued by Washington, you can have your license placed in military status while deployed outside the state.
Your license will remain active while deployed. You will get courtesy renewal notifications but won't be charged a renewal fee.
To put your license into military status, please contact the program area that licenses your profession.
Spouses or registered domestic partners
If you have a professional license issued by us, you can have your license placed on inactive status if you leave Washington because your spouse or registered domestic partner is deployed outside of Washington.
To activate your license, please contact the program area that licenses your profession.
Additional resources
- Military SCRA out-of-state professional license portability
Learn how to transfer your valid out-of-state professional license to Washington State. - Transferring professional licenses (Military OneSource)
See if you're eligible for military spouse licensing fee reimbursement. - Military spouses (U.S. Department of Labor)
Find career-focused resources and information on licensing requirements. - Veterans/Military spouses (WorkSource)
Find employment-related resources for veterans and spouses in Washington State. - Military resources (Washington State Department of Health)
Find healthcare licensing options for military spouses. - Military Spouse Initiative (Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs)
Connect with the Military Spouse Liaison at the DVA.