I. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: The Washington state department of health (department) is extending all health profession license and medical marijuana consultant certification expiration dates to September 30, 2020, for those individuals whose license is subject to renew between April 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020. This applies to all health profession licenses under RCW 18.130.040 and medical marijuana consultant certifications under RCW 69.51A.290.

The COVID-19 pandemic is taking an economic toll on small businesses. These include certain health care professionals that may choose to close their practices because of the risk of transmission or may not be able to keep their practice open due to patient cancellations.

Other health professions such as emergency medical technicians, physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and others are working intensively to care for those who are ill. These healthcare workers need to keep their focus on patient care during this emergency.

Approximately two hundred fifteen thousand individuals will have their health profession licenses or medical marijuana consultant certificates expire over the next six months. These individuals will receive automated renewal notices and must pay the required fee to maintain licensure. If they let their license lapse, they will have to pay additional fees to have it reinstated.

This extension will allow healthcare workers and medical marijuana consultants to focus on patient care and promote continued patient safety during the COVID-19 outbreak. Because renewal payment will not be required until September 30, 2020, it will also reduce the economic burden on those individuals not able to work during this emergency.

II. AUTHORITY: Washington law allows the secretary of health to extend the duration of any license, certification, or registration period if the secretary determines that it would result in a more economical or efficient operation of state government and that the public health, safety, or welfare would not be substantially adversely affected thereby. The secretary of health has the authority under RCW 43.70.280(2) to grant license extensions for health professions and medical marijuana consultants. Governor's Proclamation 20-32 provides authority for action without agency rule making.

III. SCOPE AND DURATION: This extension applies to renewals of licenses for all health professions licensed under Title 18 RCW, and medical marijuana consultants certified under chapter 69.51A RCW. The expiration extension is not a waiver, and fees must still be paid by September 30, 2020, for individuals to maintain their health profession license or medical marijuana consultant certification. The extension applies to any health care license or medical marijuana consultant certification subject to renewal between April 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020, and requires renewal of such license by September 30, 2020.

The secretary of health amends the extension of renewal dates of health profession licenses signed on April 2, 2020, to include medical marijuana consultant certifications. The secretary extends the renewal dates of all health profession licenses and medical marijuana consultant certifications issued under RCW 18.130.040 and 69.51A.290 up for renewal between April 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020, and requires renewal by September 30, 2020.