{"application_form_url":"https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/642004.pdf","application_portal_url":"https://secureaccess.wa.gov/","board_contact_url":"https://doh.wa.gov/about-us/contact-us","board_email":"","board_fax":null,"board_mailing_address":null,"board_name":"Washington Department of Health","board_parent_org":null,"board_phone":"360-236-4700","board_physical_address":null,"board_source_url":null,"board_url":null,"canonical_url":null,"ce_requirements_url":"https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/dental-assistant/licensing-requirements","common_delays":[{"description":"Answering 'Yes' to personal data questions without providing the required explanatory documents and court records causes significant delays.","title":"Incomplete Personal Data Questions"},{"description":"Failure to provide a current healthcare provider BLS card is a frequent cause for application holds.","title":"Missing BLS Certification"},{"description":"Waiting for other state boards to send verification forms can take weeks; contact those boards early in the process.","title":"Out-of-State Verification Delays"}],"compact_member":null,"compact_name":null,"compact_privilege_fee":null,"created_at":"2026-04-11T20:12:11.637694+00:00","credential_type":null,"description":null,"endorsement_application_url":null,"endorsement_fees":null,"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Ensure you have completed 200 hours of employment by a WA licensed dentist, including training in sealants and fluoride varnish.","title":"Verify Eligibility","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Fill out the Dental Assistant Sealant/Fluoride Varnish Endorsement Application Packet.","title":"Complete Endorsement Application","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Have your employing dentist sign the 'Affidavit of Employing/Training Dentist' included in the application packet.","title":"Submit Training Affidavit","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Submit the $50 endorsement fee along with your application.","title":"Pay Endorsement Fee","url":null,"url_label":null}],"exam_registration_url":null,"faqs":[{"answer":"No. As of June 11, 2020, HIV/AIDS education and training is no longer a requirement for dental assistant registration in Washington.","question":"Is HIV/AIDS training still required for Washington Dental Assistants?"},{"answer":"Registered Dental Assistants must complete one hour of infection prevention standards education annually. There are no other general CE requirements for basic registration.","question":"What are the continuing education (CE) requirements?"},{"answer":"No. You must have an active registration issued by the Department of Health before you can begin practicing as a dental assistant in Washington.","question":"Can I work while my application is pending?"},{"answer":"Your registration expires every year on your birthday. You can renew up to 90 days before the expiration date.","question":"When does my registration expire?"}],"fee_payment_url":null,"fingerprint_delay_weeks":null,"fingerprint_fee":null,"fingerprint_method_in_state":null,"fingerprint_method_out_of_state":null,"fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":"https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/fingerprint-background-check-information","fingerprint_vendor":null,"fingerprint_vendor_url":null,"initial_fee_amount":100.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":null,"last_updated":null,"last_verified":null,"license_duration":null,"licensing_pathway":null,"payload_url":null,"processing_time":"4 to 6 Weeks","profession":"Dental Assistant","provisional_info":null,"reciprocity_info":null,"renewal_cycle":"Annually","renewal_fee_amount":null,"renewal_portal_url":"https://secureaccess.wa.gov/","required_documents":[{"description":"Must be a current and valid healthcare provider BLS certification.","name":"Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. A copy of a government-issued ID may be requested.","name":"Proof of Age","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"If you hold or have held a license in another state, that state must send verification directly to the WA DOH.","name":"Out-of-State Credential Verification","url":"https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/606017.pdf","url_label":"Verification Form"}],"slug":"washington-da","state_name":"Washington","state_slug":"washington","statutes_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.260","steps":[{"description":"Register for a SAW account to access the Department of Health's online application system (HELMS).","title":"Create a Secure Access Washington (SAW) Account","url":"https://secureaccess.wa.gov/","url_label":"Sign Up for SAW"},{"description":"Log in to SAW, select 'Add a New Service', choose 'Department of Health', and add 'Health Professional and Facility Licensing (HELMS)'.","title":"Add HELMS Service","url":"https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/healthcare-enforcement-and-licensing-management-system-helms","url_label":"HELMS Instructions"},{"description":"Launch HELMS from your SAW dashboard and complete the Dental Assistant Registration application.","title":"Complete Online Application","url":"https://secureaccess.wa.gov/","url_label":"Start Application"},{"description":"Pay the non-refundable $40 application fee online using a credit/debit card or E-check.","title":"Pay Application Fee","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Upload or mail required documents, including proof of current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.","title":"Submit Required Documents","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"The DOH will conduct a background check. If fingerprints are required, you will be notified via email with instructions.","title":"Background Check","url":"https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/fingerprint-background-check-information","url_label":"Fingerprint Info"}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":null,"temp_license_fee":null,"temp_license_processing_time":null,"updated_at":"2026-05-10T09:15:16.288765+00:00","verify_license_url":null}