Application decision times
We are committed to providing clear and timely application decisions, so customers have predictable timelines. To support this, we are setting decision times for the more than 100 types of permits, accreditations, general orders, and other credentials we issue. These decision times do not apply to the applicant; they are our customer service commitment to you.
The decision time clock starts on the date we determine an application is complete. Once an application is complete, we will have a set number of days (decision time) to make a final decision.
Decision times will be established in phases. We will publish the decision time for each credential and its effective date on this web page.
Credentials with decision times
All processes do not have the same decision time. Look for the credential you are applying for in the table below to find the decision time. If you don’t see your credential on the list, that means we haven't set a decision time for that application review process at this time.
|
Name
|
Decision time |
Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| 120 days | 6/1/2026 | |
| Well Construction and Operators License | 20 days | 6/1/2026 |
Refunding application fees
If we do not issue a final decision by the decision deadline, we will refund the application fee. Depending on the situation and billing status, refunds may be handled in one of three ways:
- Full refund of the application fee: If the application fee has already been paid in full, we will refund the entire amount directly to the original payer. This is typically done through our standard refund process.
- Credit applied to the customer's account: If you have an outstanding balance or will incur future charges with Ecology, we may issue the refund as a credit. This credit is applied to your account and reduces the amount owed on future invoices.
- Discount applied to the final fee invoice: When work is still underway and a final invoice has not yet been issued, we may apply the refund as a discount. This reduces the total costs reflected on the final invoice for that credential.
These different methods are intended to be transparent, timely, and appropriate for your billing situation. The goal is to make sure you receive the full value of the refund while minimizing administrative delays.
Frequently asked questions
Related links
Contact information
Laurie Dumar
Laurie.dumar@ecy.wa.gov
360-480-0924