WSR 14-04-047

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed January 27, 2014, 1:54 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-916-020 Approved educational programs, the department of health is considering amendments to reduce licensure barriers and allow for graduates of nonaccredited education programs to attain athletic trainer licensure.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.250.020 and 18.250.060.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Graduates of nonaccredited programs have expressed concerns regarding barriers to obtaining athletic trainer licensure. The existing rule unintentially [unintentionally] prohibits graduates of athletic training programs outside of the United States from achieving Washington state licensure. Rule making may be necessary to remove a barrier that prevents otherwise qualified applicants from obtaining licensure.

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 Department of Health, Athletic Trainers Program, Jennifer Santiago, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 236-4893, jennifer.santiago@doh.wa.gov. Interested stakeholders may sign up for the programs listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=ATHLETIC-TRAINER&A=1. All rule-making notices will be e-mailed to the program's interested parties list (listserv) and appropriate state associations. Rule drafting will take place in open public meetings where comments will be accepted verbally and in writing.

January 24, 2014

John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary