How to Fill Out the Washington DOH Dentist License Application + FAQs

The Washington Department of Health (DOH) dentist license application is the form you submit to the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) to earn the legal right to practice dentistry in Washington State. Every person who wants to work as a dentist in Washington must file it, whether you just finished dental school, you hold a license in another state, or you trained at a school outside the United States.

Getting this form right matters more than most people think. Washington processes thousands of health-profession applications each year, and incomplete files are a leading reason applications stall for months. A single missing transcript or an unsigned photo can push your start date back by 6 to 12 weeks, which can cost you a job offer or a paycheck. This guide walks you through the dentist licensing process under WAC 246-817-110 and WAC 246-817-135 so you file once and file clean.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

📋 How to fill out every field on the DOH dentist application, line by line, in plain English.
🦷 Which pathway fits you: licensure by examination, by credentials, or as an international graduate.
💵 The exact fees, training proofs, and attachments you must gather before you start.
⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get applications rejected and how to dodge each one.
❓ Clear answers to the questions dentists ask most about the Washington license.

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

The DOH dentist license application is the official request you make to the Dental Quality Assurance Commission for permission to practice dentistry in Washington. The form lives with the Department of Health, but the DQAC is the body that reviews it, checks your record, and votes to approve or deny your license. The legal duty to file comes from RCW 18.32, the chapter of state law that governs dentistry, and the detailed rules come from Chapter 246-817 WAC.

You must file this form if you plan to perform any act defined as the practice of dentistry in Washington. That includes diagnosing oral conditions, extracting teeth, placing fillings, or supervising dental work. Practicing without an active license is a serious violation that can lead to fines, criminal charges, and a permanent mark on your professional record that follows you to every other state.

There are three main groups of filers, and the form treats each one a little differently. Recent and past graduates of accredited U.S. or Canadian schools file for licensure by examination under WAC 246-817-110. Dentists who already hold an active license in another U.S. state or territory may file for licensure without examination, also called licensure by credentials, under WAC 246-817-135. Graduates of dental schools outside the U.S. and Canada must clear extra steps under WAC 246-817-160 before the same form can move forward.

Knowing your pathway before you open the application saves you from filling in fields that do not apply to you. A new graduate, for example, must prove a passing clinical exam, while a credentialed dentist proves four years of recent practice instead. Pick your lane first, then read only the parts of this guide that match it.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Washington will not act on a half-finished file, so gather everything before you log in. The DQAC reviews your application as a package, and each missing piece resets your wait. Below is the pre-filing checklist every dentist should complete before opening the form.

Official dental school transcript. The school must mail or send it directly to DOH; a copy you hand in yourself is not accepted, and a self-submitted copy will be rejected on sight.
National board scores. You need an original or certified scorecard from the INBDE or National Board Parts I and II, because the DQAC verifies passage before it reviews anything else.
Clinical exam results. Your passing regional or state clinical exam (such as WREB/CDCA) proves hands-on competence, and without it an exam-pathway file cannot be approved.
Jurisprudence exam proof. Washington requires its own law exam, and skipping it leaves a hole that blocks final approval.
License verifications. Every state or country where you have ever held a license must send verification directly to DOH, including any discipline history.
Practice history dates. List every job and gap from graduation to today, because an unexplained gap triggers a request for more information that delays you.
2” x 2” photograph. A recent passport-style photo, signed and dated, must be attached, and an unsigned photo gets the file kicked back.
Government-issued ID and Social Security number. These let DOH match your identity and run background checks against national databases.
Required training certificates. You must show proof of HIV/AIDS education, suicide prevention training, and current CPR/BLS certification.
Payment method. Have a credit card or check ready for the $500 application fee plus the fingerprint fee, since the form will not submit without payment.

Each item on this list maps to a specific rule in WAC 246-817-110. If even one is missing, the DQAC marks your file “incomplete” and pauses the clock until the item arrives. Gathering them up front is the single biggest thing you can do to speed up approval.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

Washington has moved most health-profession licensing online, so the primary way to file is through the DOH electronic system. You start at the official dentist licensing page, where DOH posts the current application, the instructions, and the checklist. Always download the form from this page rather than a third-party site, because outside copies may be outdated and missing required fields.

The online application runs through the Secure Access Washington (SAW) portal, which is the state’s single sign-on system for government services. You create a free SAW account, add the “Department of Health” service, then launch the dentist application from your dashboard. The portal saves your progress, so you can stop and return without losing your work.

A paper application is still available for filers who cannot use the portal, and you request it by contacting DOH customer service through the dentist page. Whether you file online or on paper, the same rules in WAC 246-817-110 apply, and the same documents must reach DOH. The online route is faster because the system flags blank required fields before you submit.

Check the revision date printed on the form before you begin. DOH updates its applications when the law changes, and using last year’s version can mean missing a newly required field. Confirm you have the current 2026 version so your file is not returned for being out of date.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Washington Dentist License Application Line by Line

This is the heart of the application. Work through it in the order the fields appear, and do not skip a box just because it looks optional. The DQAC reads each field against the rules in WAC 246-817-110 and WAC 246-817-135, so every entry has a purpose and a consequence.

Field 1: Application Type / License Pathway

This field asks which kind of dental license you are seeking. You choose one option: licensure by examination, licensure without examination (by credentials), or a pathway for international graduates. Select the single box that matches your situation, and do not check more than one.

For example, Dr. Lena Marsh, a brand-new graduate of an accredited U.S. school, checks Licensure by Examination. A common edge case is the dentist who is licensed elsewhere but also just finished a residency; that person usually still files by credentials if they hold an active out-of-state license.

The most common mistake here is picking the credentials path without an active license in another state, which leads to an outright denial because you do not meet the WAC 246-817-135 eligibility test. A widespread misconception is that the pathway can be switched later for free; in practice, choosing wrong can force you to restart and pay again, so confirm your route before you mark this box.

Field 2: Full Legal Name

This field asks for your complete legal name as it appears on your government records. Enter your last name, first name, and middle name exactly as they read on your Social Security card and dental school diploma. Use no nicknames and no initials unless the initial is your legal name.

For example, Dr. Lena Marie Marsh writes Marsh, Lena, Marie and does not shorten “Marie” to “M.” If your name changed through marriage or a court order, you will also list your former name in the alias field and attach the legal document that proves the change.

The most common mistake is entering a married or shortened name that does not match your transcript, which triggers a hold while DOH tries to confirm you are the same person on the diploma. Many filers wrongly believe the name on the form is cosmetic; it is actually the key the DQAC uses to cross-check your transcript, scores, and license verifications, so a mismatch stalls everything.

Field 3: Other Names / Aliases

This field asks for every other name you have ever used, including maiden names, prior married names, and legal name changes. List each one fully, even if you used it years ago. If you have never used another name, write N/A rather than leaving it blank.

For example, Dr. Lena Marsh, who practiced under her maiden name Lena Okafor, enters Okafor, Lena here so her older records connect to her file. An edge case is a foreign-trained dentist whose name appears in a different order on overseas documents; list both versions to prevent confusion.

The most common mistake is leaving this field empty when you do have a former name, which causes verifications under that old name to look like they belong to a stranger. People often think only current legal names matter, but the DQAC matches old transcripts and licenses to aliases, so an omission here can hide a document you actually submitted.

Field 4: Date of Birth and Social Security Number

This field asks for your date of birth and your Social Security number. Write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format and enter the nine-digit SSN with no spaces or dashes. Both fields are required for identity and background checks.

For example, Dr. Lena Marsh writes 03/14/1996 and her full SSN in the boxes provided. If you are a foreign national without an SSN, follow the instructions for an alternative identifier and contact DOH before submitting.

The most common mistake is transposing two digits of the SSN, which makes the national database checks under WAC 246-817-110(11) come back blank and forces a manual fix. Some filers fear the SSN is optional for privacy reasons, but it is required by law for the background inquiry, and omitting it stops the file cold.

Field 5: Contact Information and Mailing Address

This field asks for your current mailing address, phone number, and email. Enter a reliable address where you can receive official mail, because DOH sends license notices and requests for more information here. Use a street address or a P.O. Box that you check often.

For example, Dr. Lena Marsh enters her apartment address and a personal email she reads daily, not a school email that expires after graduation. The edge case is a dentist moving between states; if your address will change soon, update it in the portal the moment you relocate.

The most common mistake is listing an email you no longer monitor, which means you miss a deficiency notice and your file sits idle for weeks. Filers often assume DOH will call if something is wrong, but most contact comes by email or letter, so a stale address can quietly bury a time-sensitive request.

Field 6: Dental School and Degree

This field asks where you earned your dental degree and which degree you hold. Enter the full name of your dental school, its location, your degree (DDS or DMD), and your graduation date. The school must be approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) for the standard pathways.

For example, Dr. Lena Marsh writes University of Washington School of Dentistry, Seattle, WA, DDS, 06/2026. An edge case applies to international graduates, who must list their foreign school and meet the added steps in WAC 246-817-160.

The most common mistake is entering a graduation date that does not match the official transcript, which makes the two documents conflict and triggers a review. Many people believe naming the school is enough, but proof of graduation only counts when the school sends an official transcript directly to DOH, so the entry and the transcript must agree.

Field 7: National Board Examination Scores

This field asks you to report passage of the national board dental examination. Enter the exam name, the date you passed, and your candidate ID. Acceptable exams are the INBDE, National Board Parts I and II, or the Canadian National Dental Examining Board exam.

For example, Dr. Lena Marsh writes INBDE, passed 11/2025, and arranges for her certified scorecard to reach DOH. An edge case covers dentists licensed before national boards were required in their first state; they instead prove that their original state did not require the boards at the time, as WAC 246-817-110(3) allows.

The most common mistake is assuming DOH already has your scores from your school, when in fact you must supply an original or certified scorecard yourself. Filers often confuse the national board with the clinical exam; they are separate requirements, and missing either one blocks approval.

Field 8: Clinical / Practical Examination

This field asks for proof you passed an approved hands-on clinical exam under WAC 246-817-120. Enter the exam name, the testing agency, and the date you passed. Common accepted exams include the WREB and CDCA clinical exams.

For example, Dr. Lena Marsh enters WREB Clinical Exam, passed 05/2026. An important edge case lets you substitute a qualifying residency program under RCW 18.32.040(3)(c) in place of the clinical exam; if you took that route, you report the residency here instead.

The most common mistake is leaving this field blank because you finished a residency, without realizing you can report the residency as your clinical pathway. Many new dentists wrongly believe passing the national board covers clinical skill, but Washington requires separate proof of hands-on competence, so this field cannot be skipped on the exam pathway.

Field 9: Practice History Chronology

This field asks for a complete, unbroken timeline of what you have done since dental school graduation. List every position, residency, and gap, with dates, from graduation to the present, whether or not the work involved dentistry, as WAC 246-817-110(5) requires. Account for every month so there are no blank stretches.

For example, Dr. Raj Patel, applying by credentials, lists his associate job in Oregon from 07/2020 to present and explains a six-month 09/2019 to 02/2020 gap as parental leave. An edge case is time spent abroad or out of clinical work; you still list it and give a short reason.

The most common mistake is leaving an unexplained gap, which forces the DQAC to send a request for more information and adds weeks to your wait. People often think only dental jobs count here, but the rule asks for all activity, so an honest note about a non-dental period is far better than a silent hole.

Field 10: Other State and Country License Verifications

This field asks you to identify every jurisdiction where you hold or held a dental license. Enter each license number, issue date, and expiration date, and arrange for each board to send verification directly to DOH. The verification must state whether you have faced final or pending discipline, as WAC 246-817-110(7) demands.

For example, Dr. Raj Patel lists his active Oregon license and requests an official verification from the Oregon board. For the credentials pathway, WAC 246-817-135 requires verification of an active, unrestricted license, so this field is central to that route.

The most common mistake is failing to disclose an expired or out-of-state license, which the background check will find anyway and which then looks like you tried to hide it. Filers often assume only current licenses matter, but undisclosed past licenses raise integrity concerns that can sink an otherwise clean file.

Field 11: Malpractice Insurance and Claims History

This field asks for your malpractice coverage and any claims against you. Enter your carrier, your coverage dates, and a summary of any claims. For credentials applicants, WAC 246-817-135(5)(d) requires a letter from each carrier defining covered years and claims.

For example, Dr. Raj Patel reports continuous coverage from 2020 to 2026 and notes one settled claim with a short explanation. An edge case is a new graduate with no prior coverage, who simply notes that coverage was not yet applicable.

The most common mistake is hiding a past claim, which the National Practitioner Data Bank check uncovers and which then damages your credibility with the DQAC. Many dentists fear that any claim means denial, but disclosed claims are common and rarely fatal, while concealed ones often are.

Field 12: Background and Personal History Questions

This field asks a series of yes-or-no questions about criminal history, discipline, substance use, and health conditions that could affect safe practice. Answer each question honestly and attach a written explanation and documents for every “yes.” These questions support the background authorization in WAC 246-817-110(11).

For example, Dr. Marcus Bell, who had a misdemeanor years ago, checks yes and attaches the court records and a short statement of rehabilitation. An edge case is an out-of-state disciplinary action; you must disclose it even if it was minor or long resolved.

The most common mistake is answering “no” to something the records will reveal, which turns a manageable issue into a finding of dishonesty. People often believe old or expunged matters need not be disclosed, but the questions are broad, and full disclosure with context almost always beats discovery.

Field 13: Required Training Attestations

This field asks you to attest to required training in HIV/AIDS education, suicide prevention, and current CPR/BLS certification. Check each box and keep the certificates ready in case DOH asks to see them. These trainings are conditions of licensure tied to Washington health-profession rules.

For example, Dr. Lena Marsh confirms her 7-hour HIV/AIDS course, her one-time suicide prevention training, and her current BLS card. An edge case is a credentialed dentist who completed similar training elsewhere; you may still need Washington-specific content, so confirm before you attest.

The most common mistake is attesting without actually holding current certificates, which becomes a false statement if audited. Filers sometimes assume CPR from years ago still counts, but BLS must be current, so an expired card breaks the attestation.

Field 14: 2” x 2” Photograph

This field asks for a recent 2” x 2” photograph of yourself. Attach a passport-style photo, then sign and date it as WAC 246-817-110(10) requires. For online filing, upload a clear color image that meets the size guidance.

For example, Dr. Lena Marsh clips a signed, dated photo to her paper form, or uploads a recent headshot to the portal. An edge case is a low-quality scan; if the image is blurry, DOH may ask for a new one and pause the file.

The most common mistake is attaching an unsigned or undated photo, which fails the rule and gets the application returned. Many filers think any selfie works, but the photo must be passport-style, signed, and dated, so a casual snapshot will not pass.

Field 15: Authorization and Signature

This field asks you to authorize background inquiries and to sign the application under penalty of perjury. Read the attestation, then sign and date it; an electronic signature works in the portal. Your signature lets the DQAC query the National Practitioner Data Bank, the DEA, and other sources under WAC 246-817-110(11).

For example, Dr. Lena Marsh types her legal name and the date into the e-signature box and submits. An edge case is a paper filer who must sign in ink; a typed name on paper is not a valid signature.

The most common mistake is submitting without signing, which makes the entire application invalid and sends it straight back. People often assume clicking “submit” counts as signing, but the attestation is a separate legal step, and skipping it voids the filing.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Seeing a full file from start to finish makes the form click. Below are three named dentists, each on a different pathway, showing what they enter in the major sections.

Scenario 1: Dr. Lena Marsh — Recent Graduate, Licensure by Examination

Form Section	What Lena Enters
Application Type	Licensure by Examination
Full Legal Name	Marsh, Lena, Marie
Date of Birth	03/14/1996
Dental School and Degree	University of Washington, DDS, 06/2026
National Board	INBDE, passed 11/2025
Clinical Exam	WREB Clinical Exam, passed 05/2026
Practice History	Dental student 2022–2026; no gaps
Jurisprudence Exam	Washington law exam, passed 06/2026
Photo	Signed, dated 2”x2” headshot uploaded
Fee	$500 application + fingerprint fee paid

Scenario 2: Dr. Raj Patel — Out-of-State Dentist, Licensure by Credentials

Form Section	What Raj Enters
Application Type	Licensure Without Examination
Full Legal Name	Patel, Raj, Kumar
Active License	Oregon #D12345, active, no restrictions
Dental School and Degree	Oregon Health & Science Univ., DMD, 2019
Practice Proof	20+ hrs/week, 4 consecutive years in Oregon
Practice History	Associate 2020–present; leave 2019–2020 noted
Malpractice	Carrier letter, 2020–2026, one settled claim
Tax and DEA Numbers	State tax ID and DEA number listed
Jurisprudence Exam	Washington law exam, passed 04/2026
Fee	$500 application + fingerprint fee paid

Scenario 3: Dr. Amara Diallo — International Graduate, Examination Pathway

Form Section	What Amara Enters
Application Type	Licensure by Examination (international)
Full Legal Name	Diallo, Amara
Other Names	Bah, Amara (maiden name)
Dental School	Foreign school + WAC 246-817-160 steps
National Board	INBDE, passed 09/2025
Clinical Exam	CDCA Clinical Exam, passed 03/2026
Practice History	Residency 2024–2026; abroad 2019–2023 noted
Background Questions	All “no,” fully reviewed
Photo	Signed, dated 2”x2” headshot uploaded
Fee	$500 application + fingerprint fee paid

Each dentist files the same core form but fills different fields based on the pathway. Lena proves exams and graduation, Raj proves an active license and four years of practice, and Amara adds international school review on top of the exam route.

How to File the Completed Form

Washington accepts the dentist application through more than one channel, and you should pick the one that fits you while keeping proof of everything you send. The fee, payment methods, and processing times below come from the DOH dentist page and WAC 246-817-990.

Online portal. File through Secure Access Washington by adding the Department of Health service and launching the dentist application. Pay the $500 initial application fee by credit card, expect several weeks of review once your file is complete, and save the confirmation screen as your proof of filing.
By mail. Request a paper application from DOH and mail it with a check or money order for the fee to the address printed on the form. Use tracked mail so you have proof of delivery, and keep a full copy of everything you send.
Fingerprint-based background check. Washington requires a fingerprint background check for many health professions, with a fee of roughly $42. You complete this through the vendor DOH names in your application instructions, and you keep the receipt as proof.
Supporting documents. Transcripts, scorecards, and license verifications must come directly from the source to DOH, not through your hands, so request them early and confirm each one arrived.

For every channel, the rule is the same: keep proof of payment and proof of submission. The online portal gives the fastest feedback because it flags missing required fields before you submit, while mailed paper files take longer to log in. Whichever route you choose, your file only enters review once DOH has both the form and all source-sent documents.

What Happens After You File

Once DOH logs your complete application, the file moves to the Dental Quality Assurance Commission for review under Chapter 246-817 WAC. Staff first check that every required document arrived, then run the background inquiries you authorized, including the National Practitioner Data Bank and DEA checks. If anything is missing, DOH emails or mails a deficiency notice and pauses the clock until you respond.

Processing time depends on how clean your file is. A complete application with no flags can clear in a few weeks, while a file with gaps, a disclosed legal matter, or a missing verification can take several months. The single biggest delay is waiting on source-sent documents like transcripts and license verifications, which is why you should request them before you even open the form.

When the DQAC approves your application, DOH issues your license and posts it to the public Provider Credential Search. You can then practice dentistry in Washington and begin your continuing education and renewal cycle. If the commission has concerns, it may ask for more information, refer the file for further review, or, in rare cases, propose denial, at which point you have the right to respond.

Keep your contact information current the entire time. Most post-filing communication arrives by email or letter, and a missed notice is the most common reason a near-complete file stalls. Check your inbox and mail often until your license appears in the public search.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Small errors cause most delays on this application. Watch for these specific mistakes and the trouble each one brings.

Choosing the wrong pathway. Picking credentials without an active out-of-state license leads to denial under WAC 246-817-135.
Name mismatch. Using a name that differs from your transcript triggers an identity hold while DOH confirms you.
Submitting your own transcript. A self-handed transcript is rejected because only school-sent copies count.
Missing national board scores. Assuming DOH has your scores leaves the file incomplete and unreviewed.
Skipping the clinical exam field. Leaving it blank stalls the exam pathway even if you finished a residency.
Unexplained practice gaps. A blank stretch in your history forces a request for more information and adds weeks.
Hidden licenses or discipline. Failing to disclose a past license or action looks like concealment once the background check finds it.
Answering background questions falsely. A “no” the records contradict turns a minor issue into a dishonesty finding.
Unsigned or undated photo. A photo that breaks the 2”x2” signature rule gets the application returned.
Forgetting to sign the attestation. An unsigned application is invalid and sent straight back.
Stale email address. A missed deficiency notice quietly buries a time-sensitive request.
Paying the wrong fee. Submitting without the full $500 fee and fingerprint fee stops the file before review.

Do’s and Don’ts

A few simple habits keep your file moving and protect your record.

Do:

Do confirm your pathway first, because the right route saves you from filling fields that do not apply.
Do request source documents early, since transcripts and verifications are the slowest pieces.
Do disclose everything honestly, because the background check finds what you hide.
Do match your name across all documents, so DOH can connect your file without a hold.
Do keep proof of filing and payment, which protects you if a document is lost.
Do check your email and mail often, so you never miss a deficiency notice.

Don’t:

Don’t submit your own transcript, because only school-sent copies are accepted.
Don’t leave practice gaps blank, since unexplained time triggers a delay.
Don’t guess on fees, as an underpayment stops the file cold.
Don’t skip the signature, because an unsigned form is invalid.
Don’t use an expiring school email, since you will miss important notices.
Don’t assume old discipline is private, as the data banks reveal it anyway.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Many dentists file the application themselves, while others use a licensing service or attorney, especially when their record is complicated. Weigh these points before deciding.

Pros of filing on your own:

Lower cost, because you avoid service or attorney fees on top of the state fee.
Direct control, since you see every field and document yourself.
Faster start, as you can begin the moment your documents arrive.
Clear understanding, because doing it yourself teaches you the rules for renewals.
Simple files fit it well, since a clean record rarely needs outside help.

Cons of filing on your own:

Higher error risk, because one missed field can delay you for weeks.
No expert review, so you may not catch a disclosure problem early.
Time burden, since chasing source documents takes real effort.
Harder with discipline history, because explaining a legal matter well takes skill.
Stress, as the stakes of a delayed start are high for new dentists.

FAQs

Do I need a separate clinical exam if I passed the national board?

Yes. The national board and the clinical exam are separate requirements, and the exam pathway needs proof of both under WAC 246-817-110 before the DQAC approves your license.

Can I file if my dental school is outside the U.S. or Canada?

Yes. International graduates may apply, but you must meet the extra requirements in WAC 246-817-160 and have your school send an official transcript directly to DOH.

Do I have to disclose an old expunged misdemeanor?

Yes. The background questions are broad, and full disclosure with a brief explanation almost always beats having the background check uncover it later.

Can I switch my application pathway after I submit?

No. Switching is not simple and can force you to restart and pay again, so confirm your route before you mark the application type box.

Do I write my maiden name in the “other names” field?

Yes. List every former name, including a maiden name, so older transcripts and license verifications connect to your file instead of looking like a stranger’s.

Can I submit my own dental school transcript?

No. The transcript must come directly from your school to DOH, and a copy you hand in yourself is rejected under WAC 246-817-110.

Do I need to send national board scores myself?

Yes. You must provide an original or certified scorecard, because DOH does not automatically receive your scores from your school or the testing agency.

Can I leave a gap in my practice history blank?

No. Every month from graduation to today must be accounted for, and an unexplained gap triggers a request for more information that delays you.

Do I still need verification from an expired out-of-state license?

Yes. You must disclose and verify every license you have held, since an undisclosed one looks like concealment once the background check finds it.

Can a casual selfie work for the 2” x 2” photo?

No. The photo must be passport-style, signed, and dated under WAC 246-817-110(10), and a casual snapshot gets the application returned.

Do I have to pay the fingerprint fee on top of the application fee?

Yes. The roughly $42 fingerprint fee is separate from the $500 application fee, and both must be paid for your file to move forward.

Can I practice while my application is still under review?

No. You may not practice dentistry in Washington until the DQAC approves your license and it appears in the public Provider Credential Search.

Do credentials applicants need four years of recent practice?

Yes. Under WAC 246-817-135, the practice route generally requires at least 20 hours per week for the four consecutive years before you apply.

Can I use an electronic signature on the online application?

Yes. The portal accepts an electronic signature, but you must still complete the attestation step, because clicking submit alone does not count as signing.

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