Pharmacist License Renewal in Washington (2026)

Pharmacist license renewal in Washington is handled by the Washington State Department of Health, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, which requires Pharmacist (RPh)s to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Washington Pharmacist renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	An active pharmacist credential expires on the credential holder's birthday and is renewed every two years. The credential may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date; renewing after expiration incurs a late penalty.
CE hours required	30 hours
Renewal fee	$530.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	Commission-designated CPE tracking program (NABP CPE Monitor not named in WAC 246-945-178; could not confirm specific program name)
Governing body	Washington State Department of Health, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission

Go to the official Washington State Department of Health, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Washington State Department of Health, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission. automated research workflow (official washington Board of Pharmacy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Pharmacists in Washington

Pharmacists must complete 30 hours of continuing pharmacy education (CPE) each two-year renewal cycle. Except for the one-time suicide training and the health equity requirement, all CE must be from an ACPE-accredited provider. Additional required topics: a one-time training in suicide screening and referral (at least 3 hours, from the department's approved list) completed by the end of the first full renewal cycle after initial licensure, and at least 1 hour of health equity training (per WAC 246-12-830) each renewal cycle. CE hours cannot be carried over to the next cycle. No general pharmacy-law/jurisprudence, controlled-substance/opioid, immunization, or live-CE hour minimum is specified in WAC 246-945-178 for routine renewal.

Need approved hours? Compare Washington Pharmacist CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Pharmacist license in Washington

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Washington State Department of Health, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission portal.
Complete the required 30 CE hours and confirm they appear in Commission-designated CPE tracking program (NABP CPE Monitor not named in WAC 246-945-178; could not confirm specific program name).
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Washington's pharmacist regulator is the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission within the Department of Health, not a stand-alone "Board of Pharmacy." Fee ($530) and late penalty ($265) and the 90-day renewal window were verified on the DOH pharmacy licensing-information page; CE hours and required topics verified against WAC 246-945-178. The regulation requires registering with a commission-designated CPE tracking program but does not name CPE Monitor specifically. Online renewal is via DOH Health Professions Online Renewal (credit card carries a ~2.5% convenience fee; ACH free).

Pharmacist license renewal in Washington: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Pharmacist license in Washington?

Washington Pharmacist licenses renew every 24 months. An active pharmacist credential expires on the credential holder's birthday and is renewed every two years. The credential may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date; renewing after expiration incurs a late penalty.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Pharmacist license in Washington?

Approximately 30 continuing-education hours per cycle. Pharmacists must complete 30 hours of continuing pharmacy education (CPE) each two-year renewal cycle. Except for the one-time suicide training and the health equity requirement, all CE must be from an ACPE-accredited provider. Additional required topics: a one-time training in suicide screening and referral (at least 3 hours, from the department's approved list) completed by the end of the first full renewal cycle after initial licensure, and at least 1 hour of health equity training (per WAC 246-12-830) each renewal cycle. CE hours cannot be carried over to the next cycle. No general pharmacy-law/jurisprudence, controlled-substance/opioid, immunization, or live-CE hour minimum is specified in WAC 246-945-178 for routine renewal. Confirm the current requirement with the Washington State Department of Health, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission.

Can I renew my Washington Pharmacist license online?

Yes — Washington offers online renewal through the Washington State Department of Health, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Washington Pharmacist license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $265 may apply. Contact the Washington State Department of Health, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Pharmacist (RPh) renewal