Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-924-230, 246-924-240, 246-924-250, 246-924-255, 246-924-300, 246-924-330, and possibly creating a new section in chapter 246-924 WAC, Psychologists. The examining board of psychology (board) is considering amending continuing education requirements to implement ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021) by requiring health equity continuing education. The board may also consider additional changes to update, clarify, and streamline these rule sections as appropriate.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule making is necessary to align chapter 246-924 WAC with recent statutory amendments. ESSB 5229, which passed during the 2021 legislative session, requires psychologists and many other Washington health care professionals to complete continuing education on health equity at least once every four years.

As part of this rule making, the board will consider: (1) How to best implement health equity continuing education requirements for the profession; (2) the amount of health equity continuing education hours required; and (3) other issues related to continuing education, as appropriate. The board will also consider amendments to update and streamline sections of chapter 246-924 WAC, as appropriate.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Nancy Delgado, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-4951, TTY 711, email psychology@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Rule development will take place in open public meetings prior to a formal rule proposal and comment period. All rule-making notices will be mailed via GovDelivery to the psychology profession list. To receive notices, interested persons may sign up by going to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. After signing up, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions," then check the box next to "Board of Psychology."