PERMANENT RULES
Date of Adoption: January 16, 2004.
Purpose: The proposed amendment to this rule will allow a school nurse to have a bachelor's or higher degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college/university. It will also align the degree requirements for a school nurse certificate with the degree requirements for the school occupational therapist, the school physical therapist and the school speech/language pathologist or audiologist certificates.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 180-79A-223.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.410.010.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 03-23-035 on November 12, 2003.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making:
New 0,
Amended 1,
Repealed 0;
Pilot Rule Making:
New 0,
Amended 0,
Repealed 0;
or Other Alternative Rule Making:
New 0,
Amended 0,
Repealed 0.
Effective Date of Rule:
Thirty-one days after filing.
January 22, 2004
Larry Davis
Executive Director
OTS-6599.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-14-012, filed 6/24/99,
effective 7/25/99)
WAC 180-79A-223
Academic and experience requirements for
certification -- School nurse, school occupational therapist,
school physical therapist and school speech-language
pathologist or audiologist.
Candidates for school nurse,
school occupational therapist, school physical therapist and
school speech-language pathologist or audiologist
certification shall apply directly to the professional
education and certification office. Such candidates shall
complete the following requirements, in addition to those set
forth in WAC 180-79A-150, except state approved
college/university professional preparation program:
(1) School nurse.
(a) Initial.
(i) The candidate shall hold a valid license as a registered nurse (RN) in Washington state.
(ii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree or higher in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
(iii) The candidate shall successfully complete thirty clock hours or three quarter hours (two semester hours) of course work approved by the state board of education which will include schools and society; human growth, development, and learning; American school law; legal responsibilities of the ESA; and the responsibilities of the specific ESA role in a school setting including the state learning goals and essential academic learning requirements: Provided, That an individual who meets all other requirements but who has not completed the required course work shall be issued a temporary permit valid for one hundred eighty calendar days which will allow the individual to practice in the role. The candidate shall verify to OSPI the completion of the required course work during the one hundred eighty-day period.
(b) Continuing.
(i) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school nurse and have completed forty-five quarter hours (thirty semester hours) of postbaccalaureate course work in education, nursing, or other health sciences.
(ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days of full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer -- i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system -- and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.
(2) School occupational therapist.
(a) Initial.
(i) The candidate shall hold a valid license as an occupational therapist in Washington state.
(ii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate (or higher) degree from an American Occupational Therapy Association approved program in occupational therapy.
(iii) The candidate shall successfully complete thirty clock hours or three quarter hours (two semester hours) of course work approved by the state board of education which will include schools and society; human growth, development, and learning; American school law; legal responsibilities of the ESA; and the responsibilities of the specific ESA role in a school setting including the state learning goals and essential academic learning requirements: Provided, That an individual who meets all other requirements but who has not completed the required course work shall be issued a temporary permit valid for one hundred eighty calendar days which will allow the individual to practice in the role. The candidate shall verify to OSPI the completion of the required course work during the one hundred eighty-day period.
(b) Continuing.
(i) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school occupational therapist and have completed at least fifteen quarter hours (ten semester hours) of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy, other health sciences or education.
(ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days of full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer -- i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system -- and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.
(3) School physical therapist.
(a) Initial.
(i) The candidate shall hold a valid license as a physical therapist in Washington state.
(ii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate (or higher) degree from an American Physical Therapy Association accredited program in physical therapy.
(iii) The candidate shall successfully complete thirty clock hours or three quarter hours (two semester hours) of course work approved by the state board of education which will include schools and society; human growth, development, and learning; American school law; legal responsibilities of the ESA; and the responsibilities of the specific ESA role in a school setting including the state learning goals and essential academic learning requirements: Provided, That an individual who meets all other requirements but who has not completed the required course work shall be issued a temporary permit valid for one hundred eighty calendar days which will allow the individual to practice in the role. The candidate shall verify to OSPI the completion of the required course work during the one hundred eighty-day period.
(b) Continuing.
(i) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school physical therapist and have completed fifteen quarter hours (ten semester hours) of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree in physical therapy, other health sciences or education.
(ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days of full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer--i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system -- and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.
(4) School speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
(a) Initial.
(i) The candidate shall have completed all course work (except special project or thesis) for a master's degree from a college or university program accredited by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) with a major in speech pathology or audiology. Such program shall include satisfactory completion of a written comprehensive examination: Provided, That if any candidate has not completed a written comprehensive examination, the candidate may present verification from ASHA of a passing score on the National Teacher's Examination in speech pathology or audiology as a condition for certification.
(ii) The candidate shall successfully complete thirty clock hours or three quarter hours (two semester hours) of course work approved by the state board of education which will include schools and society; human growth, development, and learning; American school law; legal responsibilities of the ESA; and the responsibilities of the specific ESA role in a school setting including the state learning goals and essential academic learning requirements: Provided, That an individual who meets all other requirements but who has not completed the required course work shall be issued a temporary permit valid for one hundred eighty calendar days which will allow the individual to practice in the role. The candidate shall verify to OSPI the completion of the required course work during the one hundred eighty-day period.
(b) Continuing.
(i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree with a major in speech pathology or audiology, with the exception of a candidate who holds a current and valid Washington state conditional certificate in speech/language pathology as of June 30, 2003.
(ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days of full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer--i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system--and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010. 99-14-012, § 180-79A-223, filed 6/24/99, effective 7/25/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130 (1) and (2), 28A.410.010 and 28A.150.220(4). 99-01-174, § 180-79A-223, filed 12/23/98, effective 1/23/99.]