Washington Chiropractic Licensing: Endorsement, the 95% Jurisprudence Exam and Temporary Permits

Washington licenses chiropractors from other states by endorsement, without retaking the state's practical exam, under RCW 18.25.040 and WAC 246-808-135. The Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission looks for a current license in another state, territory, D.C., Puerto Rico or a Canadian province; credentials substantially equivalent to Washington's for licensure by examination; full-time practice or teaching of clinical chiropractic subjects; no disqualifying conviction or restricted license; and a passing score of 95% on an open-book written jurisprudence exam.

What does the endorsement rule require?

WAC 246-808-135 asks for a completed application, the fee in WAC 246-808-990, and evidence that at the time you apply you:

• are licensed to practice chiropractic in another jurisdiction, including another state, a U.S. territory, D.C., Puerto Rico or a Canadian province;
• have credentials and qualifications substantially equivalent to Washington's requirements for licensure by examination;
• have been engaged in full-time practice of chiropractic, or have taught general clinical chiropractic subjects at an accredited school;
• have not been convicted of a crime that would be grounds to deny, suspend or revoke a Washington license;
• hold a license that is not suspended, revoked, conditioned or restricted in a way that would be grounds for denial in Washington; and
• passed the open-book written jurisprudence exam with at least 95%.

The rule does not set a number of years of practice. It says "full-time practice," so the evidence you submit should show the practice clearly, but you are not counting toward a three- or five-year minimum as in Texas or California.

What is "substantially equivalent" measured against?

Washington's requirements for licensure by examination, in WAC 246-808-105 and -115:

• graduation from a commission-approved chiropractic college with at least 4,000 classroom hours;
• NBCE Parts I, II, III and IV, with the certificate sent directly from the NBCE;
• for anyone who matriculated after January 1, 1975, at least half the requirements for a bachelor's degree;
• verification of licensure status from every state where you have held a license, active or inactive; and
• four clock hours of AIDS education under chapter 246-12 WAC.

If you are missing Part III or IV, raise it with the commission before applying. RCW 18.25.035 lets the commission waive state exams for applicants who passed NBCE exams of equal or greater difficulty, but the endorsement comparison runs the other way, and missing parts are a common reason for questions.

Why is the jurisprudence pass mark 95%?

Because the exam is open book (WAC 246-808-115). You are expected to find the answers in the statutes and rules, so the commission sets the pass mark near perfect. Read the whole of chapter 18.25 RCW and chapter 246-808 WAC before you sit it, and know where things are: one wrong answer in twenty is the whole margin. Our Jurisprudence & State Law Exam Support ($249) includes a guided tour of those chapters. More states' exams are compared in state jurisprudence exams for chiropractors.

Can I practice in Washington while the application is pending?

Possibly, with a temporary practice permit under WAC 246-808-130. You request it with your application, pay the application and permit fees, and have every state where you hold a license send written verification directly that the license is in good standing and not subject to charges or discipline. The commission issues a one-time-only permit unless it sees a basis to deny the license or issue a conditional one. The permit ends at the first of:

• the license being issued;
• the commission opening an investigation of the applicant;
• failing the commission's exams; or
• three months.

WAC 246-808-133 adds a background check step for the temporary permit. Book the jurisprudence exam promptly; a failed exam ends the permit.

How does renewal work?

Every year. WAC 246-808-150 requires 25 hours of continuing education each annual renewal cycle, attested at renewal, with no prior approval needed if the subject is on the commission's list. Two requirements are specific to Washington: a one-time three-hour training in suicide screening and referral from a program on the Department of Health's model list, completed in the first full reporting period after licensure, and at least two hours of health equity training every four years since January 1, 2024. A chiropractor licensed in Washington but living and practicing elsewhere must meet all of it.

How does White Glove help with a Washington license?

We document your credentials against WAC 246-808-105, collect verifications from every state, request the temporary permit with the application where it makes sense, and prepare you for the 95% exam. License by Endorsement is $499; commission and background check fees are separate, and the commission decides. See our Washington page.