DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed August 17, 2022, 4:17 p.m., effective September 17, 2022]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: Chapter 246-850 WAC, Orthotics and prosthetic rules. The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to clarify language on examination requirements for licensure. The department identified several needed clarifications regarding the date of when applicants complete their education and take the national certification examination.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-850-030 and 246-850-060.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.200.050.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 22-12-053 on May 26, 2022.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: August 17, 2022.

Kristin Peterson, JD

for Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-02-002, filed 12/23/20, effective 1/23/21)

WAC 246-850-030Application requirements.

An applicant for licensure shall submit to the department the following:

(1) A completed application and fee as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2;

(2)(((a))) Official transcripts, certificate, or other documentation forwarded directly from the issuing agency where the applicant has earned a bachelor degree or completed a certificate program from a program accredited by NCOPE or CAAHEP, or any other accrediting body with substantially equivalent requirements;

(((b) Documentation of successful completion of the clinical patient management course, if the applicant completes education requirements for licensure on or after January 1, 2020;))

(3) Documentation of completion of an approved internship or residency as described in WAC 246-850-050;

(4) Documentation of successful completion of licensing examinations as ((approved by the secretary))described in WAC 246-850-060;

(5) Verification from all states in which the applicant holds or has held a license, whether active or inactive, indicating that the applicant is or has not been subject to charges or disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct or impairment; and

(6) Additional documentation as required by the secretary to determine whether an applicant is eligible for licensure.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 19-09-065, filed 4/16/19, effective 5/17/19)

WAC 246-850-060Examination requirements.

(1) An applicant for licensure as an orthotist shall successfully complete the following examinations:

(a) The Washington state jurisprudence examination; and

(b) As prepared and administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics:

(i) The orthotic written multiple choice examination ((prepared and administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics));

(((b)))(ii) The orthotic written simulation examination ((prepared and administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics)); and

(c) ((The Washington state jurisprudence examination.))If the applicant completes the education requirements for licensure on or after January 1, 2020, the orthotic clinical patient management exam.

(2) An applicant for licensure as a prosthetist shall successfully complete the following examinations:

(a) The Washington state jurisprudence examination; and

(b) As prepared and administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics:

(i) The prosthetic written multiple choice examination ((prepared and administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics));

(((b)))(ii) The prosthetic written simulation examination ((prepared and administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics)); and

(((c) The Washington state jurisprudence examination.))(iii) If the applicant completes the education requirements for licensure on or after January 1, 2020, the prosthetic clinical patient management exam.

(3) An applicant who has successfully completed examinations administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics prior to July 1, 1991, may be considered by the secretary in order to determine if the applicant meets alternative standards that are substantially equivalent.