WSR 16-21-040

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 12, 2016, 9:08 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-817-120 Examination content, the dental quality assurance commission (commission) is considering amendments to clarify that a complete clinical examination from one organization is required for dentist licensure. Additionally, the commission will consider amendments to restrict the number of attempts to pass an examination.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.32.002, 18.32.0365, and 18.32.040.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The current rule lacks the requirement that a complete clinical examination from one organization is required for dentist licensure. Additionally, the commission has discussed if the number of attempts to pass an examination should be limited. The commission plans to discuss whether applicants for dental licensure should take comprehensive examinations provided in their entirety from the same organization. Completing portions of examinations from multiple examination organizations may not provide a true assessment of minimum dentist licensing standards.

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 the Department of Health, Dental Quality Assurance Commission, Jennifer Santiago, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 236-4893, Jennifer.santiago@doh.wa.gov. Interested stakeholders may sign up for the commission's listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=dental-qac&A=1. All rule-making notices will be e-mailed to the commission'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.

October 11, 2016

Trina Crawford

Executive Director