DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Board of Naturopathy)

[Filed October 3, 2018, 8:24 a.m.]

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 17-13-095.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-836-150 Full approval of colleges of naturopathic medicine, the board of naturopathy (board) is proposing amendments to streamline the process for nationally accredited colleges of naturopathic medicine to maintain board approval.

Hearing Location(s): On November 16, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., at the Department of Health, Creekside 2 at Center Point, Suite 310, Room 307, 20425 72nd Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032.

Date of Intended Adoption: November 16, 2018.

Submit Written Comments to: Susan Gragg, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax 360-236-2901, by November 9, 2018.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Susan Gragg, phone 360-236-4941, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email susan.gragg@doh.wa.gov, by November 9, 2018.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The board is proposing to amend the rule that addresses the process by which naturopathic medical schools maintain board approval. The current rule requires that schools having Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) accreditation to also renew their board approval no later than every five years. The proposed rule would streamline the process for renewal of approval by exempting CNME-accredited schools from approval renewal so long as they maintain accreditation status.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The board had previously amended rules to accept accreditation by CNME as meeting the requirements for board approval but the existing language for this rule section requires that approved schools must renew that approval every five years. The proposed rule would eliminate redundancy for both the board and naturopathic medical schools by removing the requirement for approved schools to renew that approval so long as they maintain CNME accreditation. If a school fails to maintain CNME accreditation, that school becomes unapproved and must reapply to the board for formal approval under other existing rules.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.36A.160.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.36A.100, 43.70.041.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Washington state board of naturopathy, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Susan Gragg, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4941.

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 Susan Gragg, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4941, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email susan.gragg@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 does not impose costs on naturopathic medical schools because recognition of reaccreditation by CNME eliminates redundancies for both the schools and the board.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-13-104, filed 6/20/12, effective 7/21/12)

WAC 246-836-150Full approval of colleges of naturopathic medicine.

(1) Full approval of a college of naturopathic medicine is the approval given by the board a program that meets the requirements of RCW 18.36A.100 and this chapter.

(a) Colleges of naturopathic medicine ((seeking full approval shall apply to the board on a form and in a manner prescribed by the board.

(b) Those naturopathic colleges holding current))that hold accreditation by the ((CNME need only reference their current CNME accreditation, which will be verified by the board))Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) as of February 2017 are exempt from the requirement to apply for full approval; however, such colleges shall be subject to all other provisions of this chapter. Colleges of naturopathic medicine that fail to maintain CNME accreditation must seek board approval as outlined in this chapter.

(b) Colleges of naturopathic medicine that do not hold CNME accreditation and seek full approval shall apply to the board on a form and in a manner prescribed by the board.

(2) The board may grant full approval to naturopathic colleges which have demonstrated compliance with the standards contained in this chapter and RCW 18.36A.100.

(3) To be eligible for full approval a naturopathic college must have been in continuous operation for a period of at least three years.

(4) After approval by the board, periodic reports may be required. Failure to conform to or maintain established standards may result in loss of approval. With the exception of those schools that continue to maintain CNME accreditation as outlined in subsection (1)(a) of this section, no naturopathic college shall receive full approval for a period longer than five years. Prior to the expiration of the period of approval, the college must apply to the board for renewal of approval using the same criteria required under subsection (1) of this section. The responsibility for renewal rests solely with the naturopathic college. The board shall review the application and make a final decision of approval or disapproval in not more than one hundred twenty days.

(5) If a naturopathic college fails to maintain the required standards or fails to report significant institutional changes, including changes in location, within ninety days of the change, the board may revoke or suspend approval. The board may contact a naturopathic college at any time, either through an evaluation committee or representative, to audit, inspect or gather information concerning the college's compliance with the required standards.

(6) After suspension of approval of a naturopathic college, the board may reinstate approval upon receipt of satisfactory evidence that the college meets the standards of chapter 18.36A RCW and this chapter.

(7) After revocation of approval of a naturopathic college, a college may seek provisional approval, if otherwise qualified.