Yes. Washington licenses podiatrists from substantially equivalent states without examination (RCW 18.22.082), and since January 1, 2026 the board must waive education, training, experience and exam requirements for those credentialed two years immediately before applying, with no lapse over 90 days and no discipline in the past two years (RCW 18.130.077; WAC 246-922-055).
Washington is one of the more straightforward states for a podiatrist who is already licensed elsewhere. Its podiatry act has allowed licensure "without examination" since 1990, and a 2023 law, put into the Podiatric Medical Board's rules effective January 1, 2026, turned part of that discretion into a requirement. Washington is also strict about what the license covers, and its scope is written in a way that confuses people on both sides of the ankle question.
How does Washington license podiatrists from other states?
There are two layers.
The podiatry act. RCW 18.22.082, the reciprocity section, says an applicant holding a podiatry license in another state "may be licensed without examination if the secretary determines that the other state's licensing standards are substantively equivalent" to Washington's.
The 2023 waiver law. RCW 18.130.077(1) says disciplining authorities "shall waive education, training, experience, and exam requirements" for applicants credentialed in another state or states with substantially equivalent standards "for at least two years immediately preceding their application with no interruption in licensure last longer than 90 days." The board's rule, WAC 246-922-055 (effective January 1, 2026), applies it to podiatrists: if you meet subsection (1), the board waives those requirements.
Under RCW 18.130.077(3), the waiver is available only to applicants who are not subject to denial or a conditional license, who have had no discipline for unprofessional conduct or impairment anywhere in the two years before applying or while the application is pending, and who are not under investigation or charges anywhere while it is pending. If you do not meet those conditions, WAC 246-922-055(4) sends you to the standard eligibility route.
Which requirements apply on the standard route?
RCW 18.22.040 and WAC 246-922-033 require completion of an approved podiatric school and one year of board-approved postgraduate podiatric medical training. Applicants who graduated before July 1, 1993, are exempt from the training year.
For the exam, WAC 246-922-040 accepts either all parts of the APMLE, or licensure by examination in another state plus Parts I, II and III for those who graduated in or after June 1988. Graduates before June 1988 need Parts I and II plus the Virginia licensing exam or PM Lexis. Since April 1, 2026, scores go to boards from your own Meazure Learning Connect account; see where APMLE scores come from now.
Can you start working before the license issues?
Possibly, for 60 days. WAC 246-922-035 allows a temporary practice permit for a podiatrist licensed in a state with substantially equivalent standards, on receipt of:
- documentation from your state that its licensing standards are substantially equivalent to Washington's current standards;
- the completed application and the application and permit fees;
- verification of every state license, active or inactive, showing no charges or discipline for unprofessional conduct or impairment; and
- verification from the Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards' disciplinary data bank that no state board or federal agency has disciplined you.
The permit lasts 60 days and is issued only once. If the application is not completed, there is no second permit and no refund, so file the permit only when the full application is ready to finish inside that window. A separate temporary permit exists for military spouses (WAC 246-922-036).
Does Washington's foot include the ankle?
RCW 18.22.035 defines podiatric medicine and surgery as treatment of "ailments of the human foot." It forbids podiatrists to amputate the foot, to administer a spinal anesthetic "or any anesthetic that renders the patient unconscious," or to treat systemic conditions.
The board's rule fills in what "foot" means. WAC 246-922-001 defines an ailment of the human foot as one "involving the functional foot," which "includes the anatomical foot and any muscle, tendon, ligament, or other soft tissue structure directly attached to the anatomical foot and which impacts upon or affects the foot or foot function and osseous structure up to and including the articulating surfaces of the ankle joint." The statute itself does not name the ankle, and the rule draws its line at the articulating surfaces of the joint. A surgeon planning ankle work in Washington should map each procedure against that definition, and against hospital privileges, before relying on it. The same rule says a podiatrist may treat a foot ailment that needs general or spinal anesthesia only if a physician or a certified registered nurse anesthetist administers it. The scope by state page and ankle surgery scope by state compare Washington with other states.
How much does it cost to apply and renew?
WAC 246-922-990 lists a $650 application fee plus a $16 UW online access (HEAL-WA) fee and a $70 substance use disorder monitoring surcharge, $736 in all. Licenses renew every year on your birthday at the same $650 plus $16 and $70, with a $300 late renewal penalty. Residents hold postgraduate training licenses that renew each year on the program's dates (RCW 18.22.045).
Continuing education is heavy: WAC 246-922-300 requires 100 hours every two years. A podiatrist who has certified or recertified with a CPME-recognized specialty board within the previous four years, or who meets a maintenance of certification program, can use that instead, but must still take at least two hours of health equity training every four years. See podiatry CE requirements by state.
How can we help with Washington?
Washington is our Podiatrist License by Endorsement service, $799. We check your licensing history against the two-year, 90-day rule, prepare the application for your signature, request verifications from every state, the equivalency documentation from your current state and the FPMB disciplinary data bank report, and time the 60-day temporary permit so it does not lapse before the license issues. You sign the application and pay the Department of Health directly. Annual Renewal and CE Tracking ($199 per license per year) keeps the birthday renewal and the 100 hours on one calendar. See the Washington state page for current requirements.
Common questions
- Can I get a Washington podiatry license without taking an exam?
- Yes, if your state's standards are substantially equivalent. Under RCW 18.130.077 and WAC 246-922-055, two years of continuous licensure elsewhere with no lapse over 90 days and no recent discipline means the board must waive education, training, experience and exam requirements.
- Is there a temporary podiatry permit in Washington?
- Yes. WAC 246-922-035 allows a 60-day temporary practice permit for podiatrists licensed in a substantially equivalent state, issued only once, with license verifications and an FPMB disciplinary data bank check.
- Does Washington podiatry scope include the ankle?
- The statute covers ailments of the human foot. The board's rule defines the functional foot to include attached soft tissue and osseous structure up to and including the articulating surfaces of the ankle joint.
- How much CE do Washington podiatrists need?
- 100 hours every two years under WAC 246-922-300, or recent CPME-recognized board certification or maintenance of certification plus two hours of health equity training every four years.
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