DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Washington Medical Commission)

[Filed October 25, 2022, 4:38 p.m., effective November 25, 2022]

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

Purpose: WAC 246-919-345 Limited physician and surgeon clinical experience license for international medical graduates. The Washington medical commission is adopting a new section to chapter 246-919 WAC to implement SB 6551 (chapter 325, Laws of 2020) concerning licensure of international medical graduates.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 246-919-345.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.71.017 and 18.130.050.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 22-15-039 on July 14, 2022.

Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: The adopted rule includes some minor clarifying grammatical changes in subsections (1) and (2). The changes included punctuation and removing unnecessary words. There is also a correction to align the name of the license in subsection (3).

A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Amelia Boyd, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-918-6336, TTY 711, email amelia.boyd@wmc.wa.gov, website www.wmc.wa.gov.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: August 26, 2022.

WAC 246-919-345Limited physician and surgeon clinical experience license.

(1) The commission may issue a limited physician and surgeon clinical experience license to an applicant who does not qualify for licensure under RCW 18.71.050 or chapter 18.71B RCW and who does meet the requirements established in RCW 18.71.095(6) for the purpose of gaining clinical experience at an approved facility or program.

(2) An appropriate medical practice, as referenced in RCW 18.71.095 (6)(a), is a practice that meets the following criteria:

(a) The practice is physically located in the state of Washington and is providing clinical care to Washington patients.

(b) The practice falls within one of the following categories:

(i) Is a practice setting within a federal system such as military, Indian health services, tribal health setting, or community health center; or

(ii) Is a practice setting that:

(A) Has three or more physicians for the purposes of delivering direct patient care; and

(B) Has a quality review, improvement, and assurance program for practitioners.

(3) Prior to commencing practice, a limited physician and surgeon clinical experience license holder must file a practice agreement with the commission.

(4) To apply for a limited physician and surgeon clinical experience license, an applicant shall submit to the commission:

(a) An application provided by the commission; and

(b) Applicable fees as established in WAC 246-919-990.