RCW 43.24.001
Department of licensing
—
Creation
—
Director
—
Powers, duties, and functions
—
Personnel.
See chapter
46.01
RCW.
RCW 43.24.005
Director
—
Appointment
—
Salary.
The director of licensing shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The director shall receive a salary in an amount fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040
.
[
1999 c 240 s 3
.]
RCW 43.24.016
Powers and duties
—
Generally.
(1) The director of licensing shall supervise and administer the activities of the department of licensing and shall advise the governor and the legislature with respect to matters under the jurisdiction of the department.
(2) In addition to other powers and duties granted to the director, the director has the following powers and duties:
(a) Enter into contracts on behalf of the state to carry out the responsibilities of the department;
(b) Accept and expend gifts and grants, whether such grants be of federal or other funds;
(c) Appoint a deputy director and such assistant directors, special assistants, and administrators as may be needed to administer the department. These employees are exempt from the provisions of chapter
41.06
RCW;
(d) Adopt rules in accordance with chapter
34.05
RCW and perform all other functions necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the department;
(e) Delegate powers, duties, and functions as the director deems necessary for efficient administration, but the director is responsible for the official acts of the officers and employees of the department; and
(f) Perform other duties as are necessary and consistent with law.
(3) The director may establish advisory groups as may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the department.
(4) The internal affairs of the department shall be under the control of the director in order that the director may manage the department in a flexible and intelligent manner as dictated by changing contemporary circumstances. Unless specifically limited by law, the director shall have complete charge and supervisory powers over the department. The director may create such administrative structures as the director deems appropriate, except as otherwise specified by law, and the director may employ such personnel as may be necessary in accordance with chapter
41.06
RCW, except as otherwise provided by law.
[
1999 c 240 s 4
.]
RCW 43.24.020
Powers and duties
—
Licensing.
In addition to other powers and duties granted to the department, the director of licensing shall administer all laws with respect to the examination of applicants for, and the issuance of, licenses to persons to engage in any business, profession, trade, occupation, or activity except for health professions.
[
1999 c 240 s 1
;
1994 c 92 s 496
;
1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 314
;
1979 c 158 s 95
;
1965 c 100 s 2
;
1965 c 8 s 43.24.020
. Prior: (i)
1921 c 7 s 96
; RRS s 10854. (ii)
1921 c 7 s 104
; RRS s 10862. (iii)
1929 c 133 s 1
; RRS s 5852-24.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
Severability
—
1989 1st ex.s. c 9:
See RCW 43.70.910
and
43.70.920
.
Powers, duties and functions of director and department of licensing: Chapter
46.01
RCW.
RCW 43.24.023
Rule-making authority.
For rules adopted after July 23, 1995, the director of the department of licensing may not rely solely on a section of law stating a statute's intent or purpose, on the enabling provisions of the statute establishing the agency, or on any combination of such provisions, for statutory authority to adopt any rule, except rules defining or clarifying terms in, or procedures necessary to the implementation of, a statute.
[
1995 c 403 s 107
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
Short title
—
Intent
—
1995 c 403:
See note following RCW 34.05.328
.
RCW 43.24.030
"License" defined.
The word "license" shall be construed to mean and include license, certificate of registration, certificate of qualification, certificate of competency, certificate of authority, and any other instrument, by whatever name designated, authorizing the practice of a profession or calling, the carrying on of a business or occupation, or the doing of any act required by law to be authorized by the state.
[
1965 c 8 s 43.24.030
. Prior:
1921 c 7 s 98
; RRS s 10856.]
RCW 43.24.040
Forms to be prescribed.
The director of licensing shall prescribe the various forms of applications, certificates, and licenses required by law.
[
1979 c 158 s 97
;
1965 c 8 s 43.24.040
. Prior:
1921 c 7 s 97
; RRS s 10855.]
NOTES:
Application forms
—
Licenses
—
Mention of race or religion prohibited
—
Penalty: RCW 43.01.100
.
Director to prescribe forms for applications, certificates of title, registration certificates, etc.:  RCW 46.01.160
.
RCW 43.24.060
Examinations
—
Committees
—
Duties, compensation, travel expenses.
(1) The director of licensing shall, from time to time, fix such times and places for holding examinations of applicants as may be convenient, and adopt general rules and regulations prescribing the method of conducting examinations.
The governor, from time to time, upon the request of the director of licensing, shall appoint examining committees, composed of three persons possessing the qualifications provided by law to conduct examinations of applicants for licenses to practice the respective professions or callings for which licenses are required.
The committees shall prepare the necessary lists of examination questions, conduct the examinations, which may be either oral or written, or partly oral and partly written, and shall make and file with the director of licensing lists, signed by all the members conducting the examination, showing the names and addresses of all applicants for licenses who have successfully passed the examination, and showing separately the names and addresses of the applicants who have failed to pass the examination, together with all examination questions and the written answers thereto submitted by the applicants.
Each member of a committee shall receive twenty-five dollars per day for each day spent in conducting the examination and in going to and returning from the place of examination, and travel expenses, in accordance with RCW 43.03.050
and
43.03.060
.
(2) The director of licensing may appoint advisory committees to advise the department regarding the preparation of examinations for professional licensing and such other specific aspects of regulating the professions within the jurisdiction of the department as the director may designate. Such a committee and its members shall serve at the pleasure of the director.
Each member of an advisory committee shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240
and shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses incurred in attending meetings of the committee in accordance with RCW 43.03.050
and
43.03.060
.
[
1984 c 287 s 78
;
1982 c 227 s 15
;
1979 c 158 s 98
; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 s 105;
1965 c 100 s 3
;
1965 c 8 s 43.24.060
. Prior:
1921 c 7 s 99
; RRS s 10857.]
NOTES:
Legislative findings
—
Severability
—
Effective date
—
1984 c 287:
See notes following RCW 43.03.220
.
Effective date
—
1982 c 227:
See note following RCW 19.09.100
.
Effective date
—
Severability
—
1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34:
See notes following RCW 2.08.115
.
RCW 43.24.065
Appointment of temporary additional members of boards and committees for administration and grading of examinations.
The director of licensing may, at the request of a board or committee established under Title
18
RCW under the administrative authority of the department of licensing, appoint temporary additional members for the purpose of participating as members during the administration and grading of practical examinations for licensure, certification, or registration. The appointment shall be for the duration of the examination specified in the request. Individuals so appointed must meet the same minimum qualifications as regular members of the board or committee, including the requirement to be licensed, certified, or registered. While serving as board or committee members, persons so appointed have all the powers, duties, and immunities and are entitled to the emoluments, including travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050
and
43.03.060, of regular members of the board or committee. This authority is intended to provide for more efficient, economical, and effective examinations.
[
1985 c 116 s 1
.]
RCW 43.24.080
Issuance of licenses.
Except as provided in RCW 43.24.112, at the close of each examination the department of licensing shall prepare the proper licenses, where no further fee is required to be paid, and issue licenses to the successful applicants signed by the director and notify all successful applicants, where a further fee is required, of the fact that they are entitled to receive such license upon the payment of such further fee to the department of licensing and notify all applicants who have failed to pass the examination of that fact.
[
1997 c 58 s 866
;
1979 c 158 s 99
;
1965 c 100 s 4
;
1965 c 8 s 43.24.080
. Prior:
1921 c 7 s 101
; RRS s 10859.]
NOTES:
Short title
—
Part headings, captions, table of contents not law
—
Exemptions and waivers from federal law
—
Conflict with federal requirements
—
Severability
—
1997 c 58:
See RCW 74.08A.900
through
74.08A.904
.
Effective dates
—
Intent
—
1997 c 58:
See notes following RCW 74.20A.320
.
RCW 43.24.084
Professional licenses
—
Use of social security numbers and drivers' license numbers prohibited.
Social security numbers and drivers' license numbers may not be used as part of a professional license. Professional licenses containing such information that are in existence on January 1, 2002, shall comply with this section by the next renewal date.
[
2001 c 276 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2001 c 276:
"This act takes effect January 1, 2002." [
2001 c 276 s 2
.]
RCW 43.24.086
Fee policy for professions, occupations, and businesses
—
Determination by rule.
It shall be the policy of the state of Washington that the cost of each professional, occupational[,] or business licensing program be fully borne by the members of that profession, occupation[,] or business. The director of licensing shall from time to time establish the amount of all application fees, license fees, registration fees, examination fees, permit fees, renewal fees, and any other fee associated with licensing or regulation of professions, occupations[,] or businesses, except for health professions, administered by the department of licensing. In fixing said fees, the director shall set the fees for each such program at a sufficient level to defray the costs of administering that program. All such fees shall be fixed by rule adopted by the director in accordance with the provisions of the administrative procedure act, chapter
34.05
RCW.
[
1999 c 240 s 2
;
1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 315
;
1987 c 467 s 7
;
1983 c 168 s 12
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
Severability
—
1989 1st ex.s. c 9:
See RCW 43.70.910
and
43.70.920
.
Regulation of health professions: Chapters
18.120
and
18.122
RCW.
RCW 43.24.090
Examination of persons with disabilities.
Any person taking any written examination prescribed or authorized by law, for a license or permit to practice any trade, occupation, or profession, who, because of any disability, is unable to write the examination himself or herself, may dictate it to and have it written or typed by another, to the same effect as though the examination were written out by himself or herself. Any expense connected therewith shall be borne by the person taking the examination.
[
2020 c 274 s 22
;
2009 c 549 s 5109
;
1965 c 8 s 43.24.090
. Prior:
1947 c 143 s 1
; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 8265-20.]
RCW 43.24.112
Suspension of license
—
Noncompliance with support order
—
Reissuance.
The department shall immediately suspend any license issued by the department of licensing of a person who has been certified pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320
by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a support order or a *residential or visitation order. If the person has continued to meet all other requirements for reinstatement during the suspension, reissuance of the license shall be automatic upon the department's receipt of a release issued by the department of social and health services stating that the licensee is in compliance with the order.
[
1997 c 58 s 869
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
1997 c 58 s 886 requiring a court to order certification of noncompliance with residential provisions of a court-ordered parenting plan was vetoed. Provisions ordering the department of social and health services to certify a responsible parent based on a court order to certify for noncompliance with residential provisions of a parenting plan were vetoed. See RCW 74.20A.320
.
Short title
—
Part headings, captions, table of contents not law
—
Exemptions and waivers from federal law
—
Conflict with federal requirements
—
Severability
—
1997 c 58:
See RCW 74.08A.900
through
74.08A.904
.
Effective dates
—
Intent
—
1997 c 58:
See notes following RCW 74.20A.320
.
RCW 43.24.115
Director's duties as to refusal, revocation or suspension of licenses
—
Performance by assistants.
The director may deputize one or more of his or her assistants to perform his or her duties with reference to refusal, revocation or suspension of licenses, including the power to preside at hearings and to render decisions therein subject to the approval of the director.
[
2009 c 549 s 5110
;
1965 c 100 s 6
.]
RCW 43.24.120
Appeal
—
Further review.
Except as provided in RCW 43.24.112, any person feeling aggrieved by the refusal of the director to issue a license, or to renew one, or by the revocation or suspension of a license shall have a right of appeal to superior court from the decision of the director of licensing, which shall be taken, prosecuted, heard, and determined in the manner provided in chapter
34.05
RCW.
The decision of the superior court may be reviewed by the supreme court or the court of appeals in the same manner as other civil cases.
[
1997 c 58 s 868
;
1987 c 202 s 212
;
1979 c 158 s 102
;
1971 c 81 s 112
;
1965 c 8 s 43.24.120
. Prior:
1921 c 7 s 106
; RRS s 10864.]
NOTES:
Rules of court:
Writ procedure superseded by RAP 2.1, 2.2, 18.22.
Short title
—
Part headings, captions, table of contents not law
—
Exemptions and waivers from federal law
—
Conflict with federal requirements
—
Severability
—
1997 c 58:
See RCW 74.08A.900
through
74.08A.904
.
Effective dates
—
Intent
—
1997 c 58:
See notes following RCW 74.20A.320
.
Intent
—
1987 c 202:
See note following RCW 2.04.190
.
RCW 43.24.125
Enforcement in accordance with RCW 43.05.100
and
43.05.110
.
Enforcement action taken after July 23, 1995, by the director or the department of licensing shall be in accordance with RCW 43.05.100
and
43.05.110
.
[
1995 c 403 s 624
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
Short title
—
Intent
—
1995 c 403:
See note following RCW 34.05.328
.
RCW 43.24.130
License moratorium for persons in service
—
Rules.
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the license of any person licensed by the director of licensing, or the boards and commissions listed in chapter
18.235
RCW, to practice a profession or engage in an occupation, if valid and in force and effect at the time the licensee entered service in the armed forces, the United States public health service commissioned corps, or the merchant marine of the United States, shall continue in full force and effect so long as such service continues, unless sooner suspended, canceled, or revoked for cause as provided by law. The director, board, or commission shall renew the license of every such person who applies for renewal thereof within six months after being discharged from service with a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005, upon payment of the renewal fee applicable to the then current year or other license period.
(2) If requested by the licensee, the license of a spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member in the United States armed forces, including the United States public health service commissioned corps, if valid and in force and effect at the time the service member is deployed or stationed in a location outside Washington state, must be placed in inactive military spouse or registered domestic partner status so long as such service continues, unless sooner suspended, canceled, or revoked for cause as provided by law. The director, board, or commission shall return to active status the license of every such person who applies for activation within six months after returning to Washington state, upon payment of the current renewal fee and meeting the current renewal conditions of the respective license.
(3) The director, board, or commission may adopt any rules necessary to implement this section.
[
2024 c 146 s 21
;
2012 c 45 s 1
;
1979 c 158 s 103
;
1965 c 8 s 43.24.130
. Prior:
1945 c 112 s 1
;
1943 c 108 s 1
; RRS s 10864-1.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
2024 c 146:
See note following RCW 73.04.005
.
RCW 43.24.140
Extension or modification of licensing, certification, or registration period authorized
—
Rules and regulations, manner and content.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary which provides for a licensing period for any type of license subject to this chapter, the director of licensing may, from time to time, extend or otherwise modify the duration of any licensing, certification, or registration period, whether an initial or renewal period, if the director determines that it would result in a more economical or efficient operation of state government and that the public health, safety, or welfare would not be substantially adversely affected thereby. However, no license, certification, or registration may be issued or approved for a period in excess of four years, without renewal. Such extension, reduction, or other modification of a licensing, certification, or registration period shall be by rule or regulation of the department of licensing adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter
34.05
RCW. Such rules and regulations may provide a method for imposing and collecting such additional proportional fee as may be required for the extended or modified period.
[
1984 c 279 s 25
;
1979 c 158 s 104
;
1971 c 52 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1984 c 279:
See RCW 18.130.901
.
RCW 43.24.150
Business and professions account
(as amended by 2025 c 232)
.
(Effective January 1, 2026.)
(1) The business and professions account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from business or professional licenses, registrations, certifications, renewals, examinations, or civil penalties assessed and collected by the department from the following chapters must be deposited into the account:
(a)
Chapter
18.08
RCW, architects, except as provided in RCW 18.08.510
;
(b)
Chapter
18.11
RCW, auctioneers;
((
(b)
))
(c)
Chapter
18.16
RCW, cosmetologists, barbers, and manicurists;
((
(c)
))
(d) Chapter
18.39
RCW, embalmers and funeral directors;
(e) Chapter
18.96
RCW, landscape architects;
(f) Chapter
18.140
RCW, certified real estate appraisers;
(g)
Chapter
18.145
RCW, court reporters;
((
(d)
))
(h)
Chapter
18.165
RCW, private investigators;
((
(e)
))
(i)
Chapter
18.170
RCW, security guards;
((
(f)
))
(j)
Chapter
18.185
RCW, bail bond agents;
((
(g)
))
(k) Chapter
18.220
RCW, geologists;
(l)
Chapter
18.280
RCW, home inspectors;
((
(h)
))
(m) Chapter
18.310
RCW, appraisal management companies;
(n)
Chapter
19.16
RCW, collection agencies;
((
(i)
))
(o)
Chapter
19.31
RCW, employment agencies;
((
(j)
))
(p)
Chapter
19.105
RCW, camping resorts;
((
(k)
))
(q)
Chapter
19.138
RCW, sellers of travel;
((
(l)
))
(r)
Chapter
42.45
RCW, notaries public;
((
(m)
))
(s)
Chapter
64.36
RCW, timeshares;
((
(n)
))
(t)
Chapter
67.08
RCW, boxing, martial arts, and wrestling;
((
(o)
))
(u) Chapter
68.05
RCW, funeral and cemetery board;
(v)
Chapter
18.300
RCW, body art, body piercing, and tattooing;
((
(p)
))
(w)
Chapter
79A.60
RCW, whitewater river outfitters;
((
(q)
))
(x)
Chapter
19.158
RCW, commercial telephone solicitation; and
((
(r)
))
(y)
Chapter
19.290
RCW, scrap metal businesses.
Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for expenses incurred in carrying out these business and professions licensing activities of the department. Any residue in the account must be accumulated and may not revert to the general fund at the end of the biennium. ((
However, during the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium the legislature may transfer to the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance in the account.
))
(2) The director must biennially prepare a budget request based on the anticipated costs of administering the business and professions licensing activities listed in subsection (1) of this section, which must include the estimated income from these business and professions fees.
(3) The director is required to provide an annual report on or before the 30th day of each September, beginning in 2026, detailing the revenues and expenditures for each chapter authorized to use the business and professions account in subsection (1) of this section.
[
2025 c 232 s 1
;
2017 c 281 s 40
;
2013 2nd sp.s. c 4 s 978
;
2013 2nd sp.s. c 4 s 977
;
2013 c 322 s 30
;
2011 c 298 s 25
. Prior:
2009 c 429 s 4
;
2009 c 412 s 21
;
2009 c 370 s 19
;
2008 c 119 s 22
;
2005 c 25 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2025 c 232:
"This act takes effect January 1, 2026." [
2025 c 232 s 4
.]
PDF
RCW 43.24.150
Business and professions account
(as amended by 2025 c 424)
.
(1) The business and professions account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from business or professional licenses, registrations, certifications, renewals, examinations, or civil penalties assessed and collected by the department from the following chapters must be deposited into the account:
(a) Chapter
18.11
RCW, auctioneers;
(b) Chapter
18.16
RCW, cosmetologists, barbers, and manicurists;
(c) Chapter
18.145
RCW, court reporters;
(d) Chapter
18.165
RCW, private investigators;
(e) Chapter
18.170
RCW, security guards;
(f) Chapter
18.185
RCW, bail bond agents;
(g) Chapter
18.280
RCW, home inspectors;
(h) Chapter
19.16
RCW, collection agencies;
(i) Chapter
19.31
RCW, employment agencies;
(j) Chapter
19.105
RCW, camping resorts;
(k) Chapter
19.138
RCW, sellers of travel;
(l) Chapter
42.45
RCW, notaries public;
(m) Chapter
64.36
RCW, timeshares;
(n) Chapter
67.08
RCW, boxing, martial arts, and wrestling;
(o) Chapter
18.300
RCW, body art, body piercing, and tattooing;
(p) Chapter
79A.60
RCW, whitewater river outfitters;
(q) Chapter
19.158
RCW, commercial telephone solicitation; and
(r) Chapter
19.290
RCW, scrap metal businesses.
Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for expenses incurred in carrying out these business and professions licensing activities of the department. Any residue in the account must be accumulated and may not revert to the general fund at the end of the biennium. However, during the 2013-2015
and 2025-2027
fiscal ((
biennium
))
biennia
the legislature may transfer to the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance in the account.
(2) The director must biennially prepare a budget request based on the anticipated costs of administering the business and professions licensing activities listed in subsection (1) of this section, which must include the estimated income from these business and professions fees.
[
2025 c 424 s 949
;
2017 c 281 s 40
;
2013 2nd sp.s. c 4 s 978
;
2013 2nd sp.s. c 4 s 977
;
2013 c 322 s 30
;
2011 c 298 s 25
. Prior:
2009 c 429 s 4
;
2009 c 412 s 21
;
2009 c 370 s 19
;
2008 c 119 s 22
;
2005 c 25 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
RCW 43.24.150
was amended twice during the 2025 legislative session, each without reference to the other. For rule of construction concerning sections amended more than once during the same legislative session, see RCW 1.12.025
.
Effective date
—
2025 c 424:
See note following RCW 9.46.100
.
Effective date
—
2017 c 281:
See RCW 42.45.905
.
Effective dates
—
2013 2nd sp.s. c 4:
See note following RCW 2.68.020
.
Purpose
—
Intent
—
Agency transfer
—
Contracting
—
Effective date
—
2011 c 298:
See notes following RCW 19.02.020
.
Effective date
—
2009 c 412 ss 1-21:
See RCW 18.300.901
.
Short title
—
Implementation
—
2009 c 412:
See RCW 18.300.900
and
18.300.902
.
Effective date
—
2009 c 370 ss 17 and 19:
See note following RCW 18.96.210
.
Finding
—
2009 c 370:
See note following RCW 18.96.010
.
Effective date
—
2005 c 25:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2005." [
2005 c 25 s 5
.]
RCW 43.24.170
Wage lien forms.
For the purposes of implementing the notice and filing provisions under RCW 60.90.030
(2)(a) and
60.90.090
that are applicable to the department of licensing, the department of licensing may, by rule, create wage lien forms specific to the department of licensing, so long as the forms include the information described in those sections.
[
2021 c 102 s 19
.]
NOTES:
Short title
—
Effective date
—
2021 c 102:
See RCW 60.90.900
and
60.90.902
.
RCW 43.24.175
Department of licensing wage lien account.
The department of licensing wage lien account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from wage lien filing fees collected by the department of licensing must be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only to administer wage lien filings in RCW 60.90.030
.
[
2021 c 102 s 20
.]
NOTES:
Short title
—
Effective date
—
2021 c 102:
See RCW 60.90.900
and
60.90.902
.