Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-803 WAC, acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner, the department of health (department) is considering establishing a new section of rule for continuing education requirements, changing the reference to East Asian to acupuncture and Eastern medicine; and other housekeeping changes.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule making is necessary to implement SHB 1865. The bill requires changing references to East Asian medicine to acupuncture and Eastern medicine. The bill also repeals laws related to the approval of applications and requiring examination fees, and the application of the chapter to previously registered acupuncture assistants. The department will consider repealing existing sections of rule since the statutory authority has been repealed. Finally, the bill requires the department to adopt rules for continuing education for acupuncturists.

The department is considering creating a new section of rule for continuing education, changing references to East Asian medicine to acupuncture and Eastern medicine, repealing sections of rule the department no longer has the authority to enforce, and other housekeeping changes.

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 Vicki Brown, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4865, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email vicki.brown@doh.wa.gov, web site www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can join the GovDelivery list to get information on participating in the process by subscribing at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new.