Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-840-990 Fees and renewal cycle, the department of health (department) in consultation with the nursing care quality assurance commission (commission) is considering fee changes for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, advanced registered nurse practitioners, and nursing technicians.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.36A.060, 18.36A.140, 43.70.110, 43.70.250, and 43.70.280.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 43.70.250 requires that the costs of licensing each profession be fully borne by members of that profession. Rule making is needed to ensure fees cover the costs of licensing the professions. A fee change may be necessary to cover the cost of a database solution to replace an outdated licensing system, for staffing to continue nurse license processing within legislated timelines, and staffing to address increased workload associated with nursing assistants and the long-term care crisis.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Shad Bell, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, phone 360-236-4711, TTY 711, email ncqac.rules@doh.wa.gov, https://www.doh.wa.gov/licensespermitsandcertificates/nursingcommission; or Heather Cantrell, MPA, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98540 [98504]-7850, phone 360-236-4637, TTY 711, email HSQAfeerules@doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: The commission will notify interested parties of rule making by posting information on the department website, the commission website and by use of GovDelivery. Interested parties may sign up to receive commission rule-making notices at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. The commission will hold virtual meetings at varying times to encourage participation.