Washington telehealth law
Where you sit sets the state check
For a patient in Washington, the state’s telehealth law applies at the patient’s location, as of September 30, 2026.
A health professional in another state generally needs Washington’s permission to treat you here.
Read Washington’s telehealth lawWhen can an exception apply?
The law allows three narrow cases where the person can use a valid licence from another state.
Ask which case the service means and how your visit meets its limits.
- They may advise your Washington health professional, who remains responsible for diagnosing and treating you.
- A specialist may give an opinion or diagnosis, or suggest treatment, without actually treating you.
- Your usual primary-care or mental-health professional, or a specialist, may follow up while you are only visiting Washington.
- For that follow-up, you must already have received treatment in the state where the professional works and holds a licence.
Does the first visit need live video?
Washington law checked September 30, 2026 allows a first visit through live video or other forms of care at a distance.
Some methods let the health professional review your information later instead of meeting you live.
But sending email, texts, instant messages or fax alone is not enough to start care under this law.
Ask how the service will assess you. Sending a message is different from taking part in a care visit.
- Will the visit be live, or will someone review my answers later?
- How can I ask my own questions?
- Who will respond if the health professional needs more information?
Washington law
The standard stays the same
As of September 30, 2026, Washington holds online care to the professional standards that apply to comparable care in person.
Those standards include prescribing, confirming identity, keeping records and informed consent: agreeing to care after its benefits and risks are explained.
Read the state practice standardsIf a screen cannot answer the question
Medical-board guidance says health professionals must arrange tests or an examination in person when the assessment needs them, as checked September 17, 2026.
- Ask how the service would arrange that next step before signing up.