The Washington State Medical Commission provides ease of mind to anyone looking for healthcare by allowing them to look up the credentials healthcare personnel with ease.
This guide will show you the “how” and the “why” of why a Washington medical license lookup is necessary for both patients and the healthcare industry.
Key Takeaways
- Washington allows easy online lookup of healthcare provider credentials for verification.
- License lookup ensures providers are licensed, qualified, and meet state standards.
- Employers must verify licenses to avoid legal consequences and penalties.
- Patients gain peace of mind by confirming providers’ licenses are active and valid.
Table of Contents
How to Look Up a Medical License in Washington?
First, you need to have some information about the medical practitioner you’re looking up. For starters, you’ll need their exact specialty (as you’ll be selecting it from a drop-down list).
The name, whether complete or partial, is also mandatory to enter. Once you have the required information, you have two easy steps ahead.
Step 1: Go to the Washington State DOH License Verification Page
Washington’s State Medical Board is your primary source of information, as it allows anyone with internet access to look up licenses through their provider credential search page.
There’s no particular application process. You don’t even need to create an account for this step; just visit the page and click on “Healthcare Provider.” It’s the first listed profession on the website.
Note: Through the provider credential search, you can get immediate verification of not just medical doctors but also physician assistants, nurses, and all those who work in the health industry within the state.
Step 2: Enter the Provider’s Information
Upon clicking on “Healthcare Provider,” you’ll be led to the search page where you can enter the credentials. Select the credential type from the drop-down list and enter the provider’s first and last name.
Note that you can enter parts of the first and last names if you can’t remember them properly. This will broaden the search a bit, but it’s still doable. However, you can’t leave one of the name search boxes completely blank.
Depending on whether you have the exact name or not, select “Start with” or “Exact” under the name search boxes.
From there, enter the captcha and click search. You can reset the captcha by pressing on the arrows or even clicking to “hear” the captcha if you can’t read it at all.
Note: If you have the exact credential number or license number, you can write it down for instant results.
Related: How to Get a Medical License in Nebraska
Why Is Medical License Lookup Necessary in Washington?
Here’s why the Washington Medical Commission made it easy for anyone to verify medical licenses in the state:
1. Ensuring the Provided Is Licensed and Qualified
Looking for a medical license is essential to confirm that the healthcare professional you’re dealing with is officially licensed to practice in Washington. This ensures that they have met the required educational and training standards set by the state and that they have passed the necessary exams.
Without verification, patients could unknowingly receive care from unlicensed individuals, putting their health at risk.
2. Verifying the License Is Active and in Good Standing
Lookup allows you to confirm that the license is active and hasn’t been suspended or revoked. Some healthcare providers may have disciplinary actions taken against them, which can restrict or even revoke their ability to practice (even if they had previously passed the licensing examinations).
Lookup also shows any history of malpractice, misconduct, or negligence. Verifying this helps ensure you are choosing a provider whose license is currently in good standing.
3. Legal Compliance for Employers
It’s legally required in Washington for healthcare employers to verify the medical licenses of potential medical practitioners.
Hiring a healthcare provider who lacks a valid license or has an inactive or suspended license will result in legal consequences like fines and penalties.
4. Peace of Mind and Patient Safety
For patients, verifying a medical license offers a sense of relief. Think of it: if you look up two cardiologists and find that one has a history of malpractice and misconduct, wouldn’t you be more confident about going with the other one?
While a practitioner’s history may not matter much in routine inspections, it’s particularly important for patients who are expected to undergo complex medical procedures or long-term treatments.
Related: How to Get Your Connecticut Medical License
Closing Thoughts
License verifications are in everyone’s best interest. They ensure the optimum medical service and maximum safety for the patients.
However, there’s a lot more that you, as a physician, can learn about your profession regardless of the current stage in your career.
Being a physician is a noble profession that yields good money, but making the best use of this money AND using it to build the best possible retirement plan is no easy feat.
Collaborating with Physicians Thrive can help you with that (and pretty much every step in your career). Contact us, let us know about your current circumstances, and let us help you thrive.
