Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-919-360 Examinations accepted for reciprocity or waiver.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.71.017 and 18.130.050(12).

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Medical Quality Assurance Commission (commission) has determined to initiate the rule-making process to repeal the exclusionary language regarding the Florida and Hawaii state examinations. The commission has based their decision on the following: (1) Physicians who became licensed based on either of these state examinations have had ample opportunity to establish a record of good practice; and (2) the original exclusionary language may not have been based on patient protection.

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

     Process for Developing New Rule: The Department of Health received a Petition for Adoption, Amendment, or Repeal of a State Administrative Role [Rule] received July 5, 2005, from H. Hollis Caffee, MD. There will be an open public rule workshop in Tumwater on January 19, 2006.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Beverly A. Thomas, Program Manager, Medical Quality Assurance Commission, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504, fax (360) 236-2406, phone (360) 236-4788.

October 13, 2005

Blake T. Maresh

Executive Director