S-3436               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6702

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Senators Wojahn, Deccio, Niemi and Stratton

Read first time 2/1/88 and referred to Committee on Health Care & Corrections.

AN ACT Relating to fees for professional licensing; and amending RCW 43.24.086.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 12, chapter 168, Laws of 1983 as amended by section 7, chapter 467, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.24.086 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) It shall be the policy of the state of Washington that the cost of each professional, occupational or business licensing program be fully borne by the members of that profession, occupation or business.  The director of licensing shall from time to time establish the amount of all application fees, license fees, registration fees, examination fees, permit fees, renewal fees, and any other fee associated with licensing or regulation of professions, occupations or businesses administered by the business and professions administration in the department of licensing.  In fixing said fees, the director shall set the fees for each such program at a sufficient level to defray the costs of administering that program.  All such fees shall be fixed by rule adopted by the director in accordance with the provisions of the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.04 RCW.

          (2) ((Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, no fee for midwives, as licensed in chapter 18.50 RCW may be increased by more than one hundred dollars or fifty percent, whichever is greater, during any biennium.)) A limited subsidy from the health professions account shall be provided, as funds are appropriated by the legislature, for health professions governed by the uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW.  The department may adjust fees for other licensure programs, consistent with its authority, to meet the revenue requirements under this subsection.  The subsidy from the general fund shall not exceed fifty percent of the total cost associated with each licensure program eligible for the subsidy, and in no event shall result in annual license or renewal fees lower than one hundred seventy-five dollars.  To be eligible for a subsidy, a licensure program shall meet the following criteria:

(a) The number of licensees shall not exceed five hundred;

(b) Each licensee, through the payment of renewal fees, will be paying more than one-quarter of one percent of the total cost;

(c) The program is reviewed as provided in chapter 18.120 RCW;

(d) The regulatory entity agrees to amendments to the laws regulating it to conform with the requirements of chapter 18.122 RCW; and

(e) When applicable, the regulatory entity shall use competency examinations that are designed nationally or regionally.

(3) The disciplinary authority, as defined in chapter 18.130 RCW, shall examine costs associated with the professional competency examination process to identify areas where costs can be reduced.  The use of examinations designed by regional or national entities shall be considered in lieu of using examinations designed by the state.  The director shall report to the legislature no later than December 1, 1988, with the findings and recommendations of the disciplining authorities.