Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-824-075 Continuing education requirements for dispensing opticians. Consider amending WAC 246-824-075 by creating categories of approved continuing education and setting a maximum allowable number of hours within those categories. It is not the intention of this review to increase the number of hours that a practitioner must complete.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.34.120.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Dispensing opticians may now obtain all continuing education through independent study such as a correspondence course or internet study. While independent study is viewed as a valid method for obtaining required hours, a well-rounded continuing education program should include opportunities for interaction and exchanges with course presenters and peers. The purpose of the review is to consider whether there is value in providing specific categories of continuing education and limiting the number of credits that can be obtained in any one category. Providing categories and limiting the number of hours within categories will cause licensees to broaden their continuing educational activities to include more interactive exchanges.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Judy Haenke, P.O. Box 47870, Olympia, WA 98504-7870, (360) 236-4947, fax (360) 586-4359, judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov.

June 21, 2005

M. C. Selecky

Secretary

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