How to Search Washington Professional Licenses (Start Here)

Professional and occupational licenses in Washington are issued by state licensing boards — each profession has its own board with its own search tool. There is no single database of all licenses in Washington.

What this page covers: Washington professional license verification databases — medical, legal, real estate, contractor, financial, and other regulated professions. What it does not cover: Business entity filings (those are with the Secretary of State) or association memberships (those are private organizations).

Where to start: Identify the profession, then go to the specific licensing board for Washington. For attorneys, go to the state bar. For doctors, the medical board. For contractors, the contractor licensing authority. The databases below are organized by profession.

Common mistake: A professional license and a business registration are different. A license authorizes a person to practice a profession. A business registration authorizes a company to operate. They are filed with different agencies.

Central licensing portal
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Medical board (MD)
Licensing - Washington Medical Commission - | WA.gov
Nursing board
Verify or Check License Status | Washington State Board of Nursing
Insurance licensing
Producers & Adjusters | Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Bar / attorney
Provides an online, searchable directory of attorneys in Washington state
Contractor licensing
Verify if the contractor has an active license
Population
7,958,180
Households
3,037,300
Median Income
$91,306
Median Home Value
$519,200
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Washington professional & occupational licenses URL verified against the official state publisher at www.dol.wa.gov on the review date. 4 primary .gov sources cited below.

Washington Professional & Occupational Licenses — Key Facts (2026)

Doctors, lawyers, contractors, nurses, real estate agents in Washington — who's licensed and how to verify in 2026.
State-only
License jurisdiction
Not federal
~22%
U.S. workforce licensed
Up from 5% in 1950
1,100+
Licensed occupations
NCSL national database
Free
Official verification
Never pay 3rd parties
Compacts
Cross-state reciprocity
Nursing/medical/PT
Active license ≠ clean record (verify both)
Active license
100%
Continuing-ed current
70%
No disciplinary actions
30%
No complaint history
20%
Criminal background
10%
Unit: % verified by 'active license' alone.

What Changed in 2026 — Washington Professional & Occupational Licenses

2026
Washington professional & occupational licenses portal active
The official Washington portal at www.dol.wa.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for professional & occupational licenses in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for professional & occupational licenses
The NCSL National Occupational Licensing Database at www.ncsl.org provides federal-level context that complements Washington state records.
2026
Washington access in 2026
For 2026, Washington continues to publish professional & occupational licenses information through state-authorized portals; check www.dol.wa.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Washington's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.

The 4-Step Washington License Verification

1
Step 1 — Identify the profession
Each occupation has its own Washington board (medical, bar, contractor, real-estate, cosmetology, etc.).
2
Step 2 — Confirm the state
Licenses are state-issued. A Washington license is NOT automatically valid in other states (unless via compact).
3
Step 3 — Use the official board lookup
Every Washington board has a free verification tool. Never pay a third party for verification.
4
Step 4 — Check disciplinary history
Active license ≠ clean record. Always check the Washington board's disciplinary actions search.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Washington Professional & Occupational Licenses

MYTH"Inactive means revoked."
FACTInactive usually means not currently practicing — retired, lapsed, or paused. Revoked is a discipline status, and boards label the difference.
MYTH"A license only works in the state that issued it."
FACTCompacts changed that: nursing (NLC), medicine (IMLC), and others let one license or an expedited pathway cover many states. Check the compact map.
MYTH"There's one national license database."
FACTLicensing is state-by-state, board-by-board. A nurse, a contractor, and a barber in Washington are verified in three different systems.
MYTH"A clean lookup means no complaints ever."
FACTBoard lookups show public discipline — formal actions. Complaints that closed without action typically never appear.
MYTH"Expired licenses vanish from the record."
FACTMost boards keep showing the history — expired, lapsed, surrendered — because the history is the point of the lookup.

Primary Sources and Official Record Portals

Related Licenses Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Licenses
Sample Washington counties: Adams · Asotin · Benton · Chelan · Clallam

Licenses Databases

26 official Washington licenses sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Licenses

Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioner - Licensing Requirements | Washington State Department of Health
Official Free
Applicants must graduate from a college or program accredited by the Accredidation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or a department-approved school · Applicants must request official transcript(s) with degree and date posted.
🌐 doh.wa.gov
Get your license: Appraisal management companies | Washington State Department of Licensing
Official Free
Licensing activity for Washington is tracked through this source. Confirm details with the official license and permit office before relying on them.
🌐 dol.wa.gov
Architect firms | Washington State Department of Licensing
Official Free
Learn the requirements and how to apply for a license to operate as an architect firm. Apply for your license Renew or update your license License fees News and updates Forms · You need architecture work experience to qualify for an architect license.
🌐 dol.wa.gov
Legal Profile
Official Free
Member of the following groups: In some cases, discipline search results will not reveal all disciplinary action relating to a Washington licensed legal professional, and may not display links to the official decision documents
🌐 mywsba.org
Banks Laws and Rules
Official Free
The authority of the Division of Banks to regulate Washington's state-chartered commercial banks, stock savings banks, mutual savings banks, alien banks, independent trust companies, and savings and loan associations is derived from the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
Rev. 7-2015 State of Washington DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Official Free
This statewide Washington source includes Washington in its coverage. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
Franchises FAQs
Official Free
Salesman Disclosure Form For each officer, director, or employee who will be selling the offering - if you are using third parties to sell your franchise they will have to register as Franchise Brokers. Consent of Accountants to the use of their audited financial statements of your company in connection with the offering (photocopy is OK). Advertising (all advertising must be filed with the Division at least five days prior to use). RCW 19.100.060 provides for a minimum filing period of at least 15 business days before the offering is effective in Washington.
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
capstone certified public accountants llc
Official Free
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be switched off. They help with setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling out forms, using our chat support, or managing the security of our website · These cookies help us improve the website by tracking.
🌐 ald.nasba.org
Charitable Trusts - Washington Secretary of State - | WA.gov
Official Free
A charitable trust is any entity. When operating under Washington State jurisdiction, such entities are required to register with the Office of the Secretary of State, Charitable Trust Program.
🌐 sos.wa.gov
Corporations & Charities - Washington Secretary of State
Official Free
The Corporations & Charities Division has opened a new branch in Eastern Washington. View our press release regarding this opening. View Eastern Regional In-Person Service info.
🌐 sos.wa.gov
List of Washington State Chartered Credit Unions
Official Free
Licensing activity for Washington is tracked through this source. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official license and permit office.
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
Escrow Agent and Officer Licensing
Official Free
The definition of "escrow" now includes the collection and processing of payments and the performance of related services by a third party on seller-financed loans secured by a lien on real or personal property.
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
Hunting | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Official Free
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains opportunities for seasoned and first-time hunters alike. Learn about the steps every hunter must take before heading afield, and how to report your harvest after a successful hunt. Whether deer, elk, waterfowl, or upland game, the hunt.
🌐 wdfw.wa.gov
Online Instructions | Washington State Department of Health
Official Free
This statewide Washington source includes Washington in its coverage. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official license and permit office.
🌐 doh.wa.gov
Find an agent, agency or company | Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Official Free
Use the Office of the Insurance Commissioner's agent and company search tool to discover if a company or insurance producer is licensed in Washington state.
🌐 fortress.wa.gov
Agent and company lookup tool | Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Official Free
Use this tool to find helpful information about insurance agents, agencies, and the companies they work with. Start your search Choosing the right insurance can be confusing and overwhelming. Our agent and company lookup tool is designed to help you understand your insurance choices better.
🌐 insurance.wa.gov
Lobbyist Employers | Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC)
Official Free
Registration is initiated by lobbyists. Lobbyist employers may terminate registrations by submitting a written statement identifying which lobbyist is being terminated and as of what date.
🌐 pdc.wa.gov
Consumer Access - Company
Official Free
Information made available through NMLS Consumer AccessSM is derived from NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System / Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry), the financial services industry's online registration and licensing database.
🌐 nmlsconsumeraccess.org
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives - Title Info: Department of Licensing, Business and Professions…
Official Free
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives is the first Digital Archives in the nation to Preserve the electronic Records of both State and Local Government.
🌐 digitalarchives.wa.gov
Securities Registration, Notification, and Exemptions
Official Free
File Complaint | Verify License | Contact Us · The offering of securities in Washington is governed by RCW 21.20, the Securities Act of Washington. The Division of Securities reviews applications for registration, exemption notice filings,.
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
WSAJ - About Us
Official Free
Our attorneys and legal professionals ensure that injured Washington citizens have access to a fair civil justice system and state worker’s compensation system when they need it the most. Our mission is simple. We are dedicated to safeguarding the Seventh Amendment constitutional right to a trial by jury.
🌐 washingtonjustice.org
About the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC)
Official Free
Our goal is to maintain public trust in the appraisal profession by ensuring that appraisers are effectively regulated. The ASC has seven members, each designated by the head of their agency. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve). U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Title XI also requires the FFIEC to appoint a Chair from the member representatives to serve a two-year term.
🌐 asc.gov
List of Washington State Chartered Banks
Official Free
Permit and license lookups for Washington run through here. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official license and permit office.
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
Child Care / Early Learning Providers | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Official Free
Read More about Family, Friends and Neighbor Providers. Prepares 3-4 year olds from low-income families for success in school and life. Read More about Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. Guides and facilitates collaboration among Head Start agencies. Read More about Head Start Collaboration Office. CCHC is required for licensed child care centers that serve infants. Read More about Child Care Health Consultants. Information about subsidies for Washington state child care services.
🌐 dcyf.wa.gov
Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business
Official Free
Use our Verify tool to see if a business you want to work with has an active contractor registration; an active and paid-to-date workers' comp account covering any employees. At the same time, you can check for safety violations, other information, lawsuits against their surety bond and more.
🌐 secure.lni.wa.gov

Washington Counties

39 Washington counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

King Pierce Snohomish Spokane Clark Thurston Kitsap Yakima Whatcom Adams Asotin Benton Chelan Clallam

Which Washington counties publish local licensing online

9 of Washington's 39 counties run their own online source for local licensing, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a county for its full records page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most Washington professional and occupational licenses (medical, legal, contracting, real estate, cosmetology, etc.) can be verified through the Official Washington Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.dol.wa.gov. Look for the 'License Lookup' or 'Verify a Licensee' tool — searches are typically by name or license number and return active/inactive status.

Washington business licensing combines state, county, and city permits depending on activity. The Official Washington Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.dol.wa.gov is the primary state portal; local business-tax certificates are issued by the city or county where you operate. The federal usa.gov permits guide is a helpful starting overview.

That depends on the profession. Washington, like most states, licenses regulated occupations such as healthcare, legal, construction, real estate, cosmetology, security, and many trades. The Official Washington Professional & Occupational Licenses publishes the full list and exemption criteria at www.dol.wa.gov.

Complaints against licensed professionals in Washington are filed with the issuing board or division under the Official Washington Professional & Occupational Licenses. Most boards accept online complaint submissions at www.dol.wa.gov, plus mail-in forms. Each board reviews complaints under the standards in Washington's occupational code.

Many Washington boards offer license-by-reciprocity, license-by-endorsement, or expedited pathways for applicants already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. The Official Washington Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.dol.wa.gov publishes the reciprocity rules per profession; some require additional Washington-specific exams or jurisprudence tests.