1. (1) The expiration date for all credentials is the practitioner's birthday, except for faculty, postgraduate education, associate, or trainee credentials authorized by law.
2. (2) As long as a practitioner's military service continues, the practitioner is not required to renew their credential, but should maintain the credential in military status. To maintain a military status credential, the practitioner shall submit to the department an official copy of service orders verifying that they are an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Public Health Services Commissioned Corps, or the Merchant Marine of the United States.
3. (3) The department will mail or email courtesy maintenance notices to the practitioner's address on file using credential renewal cycles.
4. (4) A practitioner shall return the courtesy maintenance notice to the department with an official copy of their service orders.
5. (5) Military status credential maintenance requests are accepted by the department no sooner than 90 days prior to the date the credential would expire if not in military status.
6. (6) Continuing education is not required while the credential is in military status.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.040, 18.130.050, 43.70.040, and 43.70.280. WSR 26-11-023, s 246-12-520, filed 5/14/26, effective 6/14/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.270(3). WSR 14-10-025, § 246-12-520, filed 4/28/14, effective 5/29/14.]