WSR 17-20-035 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH [Filed September 28, 2017, 10:04 a.m.] Original Notice. Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 17-01-047. Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-827-0200 Medical assistant-certified—Training and examination, the department of health (department) is proposing amendments to the examination requirements for medical assistant (MA)-certified to establish examination criteria to be used for approval rather than maintaining a list of department-recognized examinations in rule. Hearing Location(s): On November 21, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., at the Department of Health, Town Center 2, Room 158, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501. Date of Intended Adoption: November 28, 2017. Submit Written Comments to: Brett Cain, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax 360-236-2901, by November 21, 2017. Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Davis Hylkema, phone 360-236-4663, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email davis.hylkema@doh.wa.gov, by November 13, 2017. Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed rules remove the current list of four department-recognized exams, and propose that a department-approved MA-certification examination must be offered by a medical assistant program accredited by National Commission on Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and cover the clinical and administrative duties authorized under RCW 18.360.050(1). The list of currently recognized examinations will be moved from existing rule text and will be posted and updated on the department's MA web page.
Lastly, the proposal retains the requirement that the applicant must have passed one of the department-recognized exams within five years prior to submitting an application for the credential. Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed rules are necessary to supplement the current department-approved examination options more efficiently for people applying for the MA-certified credential. The proposed changes must be in rule in order to legally defend decisions as to whether or not an applicant is qualified for the MA-certified credential. Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.360.040. Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision. Name of Proponent: Department of health, governmental. Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Brett Cain, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4766. A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135. A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Brett Cain, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4766, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email brett.cain@doh.wa.gov. The proposed rule does not impose more-than-minor costs on businesses. Following is a summary of the agency's analysis showing how costs were calculated. The proposed rule has no fiscal impact on MAs, facilities, or MA examination organizations. Therefore, this zero cost impact falls beneath the $5,098 threshold calculated as follows: Payroll-based threshold for an average establishment in this NAICS code 561110 NAICS (Offices of Physicians) that would be affected by this proposed rule is $5,098 (277,844*1,000/545)*(0.01) = $5,098 where 277,844*1,000 is Annual payroll and 545 is Total Establishments for this NAIC. September 28, 2017 John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH Secretary
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-12-045, filed 5/31/13, effective 7/1/13)
WAC 246-827-0200 Medical assistant-certified—Training and examination.
((Certification requirements -)) An applicant((s)) for a medical assistant-certified credential must meet the following requirements:
(1) Successful completion of one of the following medical assistant training programs:
(a) Postsecondary school or college program accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP);
(b) Postsecondary school or college accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, which includes a minimum of seven hundred twenty clock hours of training in medical assisting skills, including a clinical externship of no less than one hundred sixty hours;
(c) A registered apprenticeship program administered by a department of the state of Washington unless the secretary determines that the apprenticeship program training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the standards of this state. The apprenticeship program shall ensure a participant who successfully completes the program is eligible to take one or more examinations identified in subsection (2) of this section; or
(d) The secretary may approve an applicant who submits documentation that he or she completed postsecondary education with a minimum of seven hundred twenty clock hours of training in medical assisting skills. The documentation must include proof of training in all of the duties identified in RCW 18.360.050(1) and a clinical externship of no less than one hundred sixty hours.
(2) Pass ((one of the following examinations within five years prior to submission of an initial application for this credential:
(a) Certified medical assistant examination through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA);
(b) Registered medical assistant certification examination through the American Medical Technologists (AMT);
(c) Clinical medical assistant certification examination through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA); or
(d) National certified medical assistant examination through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT))) a medical assistant certification examination approved by the secretary within five years of submitting an initial application. A medical assistant certification examination approved by the secretary means an examination that:
(a) Is offered by a medical assistant program that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA); and
(b) Covers the clinical and administrative duties under RCW 18.360.050(1).
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