WSR 13-24-105

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 3, 2013, 1:54 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-824-070 Examination appeal procedures, the department will consider whether the formal hearing process for an applicant to appeal the results of his or her dispensing optician licensing examination should be retained or whether other existing department appeal processes are sufficient.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.130.040(4).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The current rule includes the process for an informal review and formal hearing to appeal the results of the dispensing optician licensing examination. The informal review process has been a worthwhile tool in allowing candidates to express their concerns about the examination. The process for a formal hearing may cause delay due to additional administrative steps which often results in additional costs. There may be other more efficient appeal processes in place when an applicant does not meet the credentialing requirements.

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. Stakeholders will be notified and invited to participate in an open public rules workshop and may submit written comments for consideration. Stakeholders will be notified through listserv and posting to the web site. Contact Judy Haenke, Program Manager, Department of Health, Dispensing Optician Program, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, Judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov, phone (360) 236-4947, fax (360) 236-2901.

November 27, 2013

John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary