Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: WAC 246-12-051, adding a new section to describe the procedure to issue a temporary practice permit to certain military spouse or state-registered domestic partner applicants who are subject to a transfer to Washington state and must complete specific, additional credential requirements to obtain a permanent credential. Applicants must be licensed in another state with substantially equivalent credentialing standards as Washington.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.70.040, 18.130.040, 1.12.080, ESSB 5969 (chapter 5, Laws 2011).

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 12-18-038 on August 29, 2012.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: October 16, 2012.

Mary C. Selecky

Secretary

OTS-4624.4

NEW SECTION
WAC 246-12-051   How to obtain a temporary practice permit -- Military spouse.   A military spouse or state registered domestic partner of a military person may receive a temporary practice permit while completing any specific additional requirements that are not related to training or practice standards for the profession. This section applies to any profession listed in RCW 18.130.040 (2)(a).

     (1) A temporary practice permit may be issued to an applicant who is a military spouse or state registered domestic partner of a military person and:

     (a) Is moving to Washington as a result of the military person's transfer to Washington;

     (b) Left employment in another state to accompany the military person to Washington;

     (c) Holds an unrestricted, active license in another state that has substantially equivalent licensing standards for the same profession to those in Washington; and

     (d) Is not subject to any pending investigation, charges, or disciplinary action by the regulatory body of the other state or states.

     (2) A temporary practice permit grants the individual the full scope of practice for the profession.

     (3) A temporary practice permit expires when any one of the following occurs:

     (a) The license is granted;

     (b) A notice of decision on the application is mailed to the applicant, unless the notice of decision on the application specifically extends the duration of the temporary practice permit; or

     (c) One hundred eighty days after the temporary practice permit is issued.

     (4) To receive a temporary practice permit, the applicant must:

     (a) Submit the necessary application, fee(s), fingerprint card if required, and documentation for the license;

     (b) Attest on the application that he/she left employment in another state to accompany the military person;

     (c) Meet all requirements and qualifications for the license that are specific to the training, education, and practice standards for the profession;

     (d) Provide verification of having an active unrestricted license in the same profession from another state that has substantially equivalent licensing standards for the profession in Washington;

     (e) Submit a copy of the military person's orders and a copy of:

     (i) The military-issued identification card showing the military person's information and the applicant's relationship to the military person;

     (ii) A marriage license; or

     (iii) A state registered domestic partnership; and    

     (f) Submit a written request for a temporary practice permit.

     (5) For the purposes of this section:

     (a) "Military spouse" means the husband, wife, or registered domestic partner of a military person.

     (b) "Military person" means a person serving in the United States armed forces, the United States public health service commissioned corps, or the merchant marine of the United States.

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