Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-840-111, 246-840-120, 246-840-125, and 246-840-200 through 246-840-260, the nursing care quality assurance commission (commission) is considering amendments to the continuing competency rules and requirements for active, inactive, expired, and retired active credential status.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission determined there is a lack of supporting evidence that current continuing competency rules adequately ensure the competency of nurses. The commission recognizes the importance of a competent nursing workforce and opening the rules would allow the commission to collaboratively work with stakeholders to develop the best mechanism for meeting the legislative intent of RCW 18.79.010 and 18.79.110. Amendments to the rules may be needed to adequately ensure the competency of nurses.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Amber Zawislak, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-4785, fax 360-236-4738, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email amber.zawislak@doh.wa.gov, web site https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/NursingCommission.

Additional comments: Interested stakeholders may sign up to receive commission rule-making notices at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new.