WSR 17-16-121

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed July 31, 2017, 1:11 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-812 WAC, the board of denturists is considering a possible new rule on the use of initials following the name of a licensed denturist that can be used to designate their professional title.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.30.065(3).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The possible new rule will provide clarity on the initials that can be used after a licensed denturist's name to designate their professional title. This will create the standard to be used within the denturist profession. There is confusion among consumers regarding what initials indicate a licensed denturist. A rule would clarify this for consumers and standardize the way denturists use initials in advertising. In addition, with a rule you could discipline a denturist for misleading advertising if they are using different initials. An interpretive statement would also provide clarity and standardization, but without a rule you do not have anything legally enforceable.

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. The board will be holding at least one public workshop before developing the proposed rule. The board will email notices of its rule-making activities to those on its stakeholder list and to the affected state association. To sign up for the denturist interested parties list go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. The board contact is Vicki Brown, Program Manager, Board of Denturists, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, (360) 236-4865, vicki.brown@doh.wa.gov.

July 31, 2017

Trina Crawford

Executive Director