DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission)

[Filed April 18, 2023, 2:41 p.m., effective May 19, 2023]

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

Purpose: The pharmacy quality assurance commission is amending WAC 246-945-162, 246-945-200, and 246-945-205 to align the rules with statutory amendments under ESHB 1551, which repealed the statutory requirement for health care professionals to complete AIDS education and training. Removing this requirement from WAC 246-945-162, 246-945-200, and 246-945-205 will align the rules with the statute and complete the commission's implementation of ESHB 1551.

Other amendments were made in the above cited sections to align rule language with current formatting standards and statutory citations.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-945-162, 246-945-200, and 246-945-205.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.64.005, 18.64A.020, and 18.64A.030.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 22-22-092 on November 1, 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: April 17, 2023.

Teri Ferreira, RPh, Chair

Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-12-072, filed 6/1/20, effective 7/1/20)

WAC 246-945-162Pharmacist license qualifications.

(1) In addition to the requirements in RCW 18.64.080, an applicant for a pharmacist license who holds a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy or a doctor of pharmacy degree from a commission accredited school or college of pharmacy shall submit documentation of education and practice experience as follows:

(a) An applicant who graduated before July 1, 2020, whose official transcripts confer or award a baccalaureate of pharmacy or doctorate of pharmacy degree shall provide certification of at least ((fifteen hundred))1500 pharmacy internship hours in accordance with WAC 246-945-163.

(b) An applicant who graduates after July 1, 2020, whose official transcripts confer or award a doctorate of pharmacy is deemed to have satisfied the pharmacy practice experience and education requirements for licensure without documentation of internship hours.

(2) An applicant for a pharmacist license whose academic training in pharmacy is from institutions in foreign countries shall:

(a) Achieve certification by FPGEC including:

(i) Passing FPGEE;

(ii) Passing required TOEFL iBT;

(b) Provide official transcripts or diploma that shows a baccalaureate of pharmacy or doctorate of pharmacy degree is awarded or conferred; and

(3) An applicant for a pharmacist license shall take and pass pharmacist licensure examinations as defined in WAC 246-945-165.

(((4) An applicant for a pharmacist license shall provide proof of completion of seven hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8. The applicant is exempt from this requirement if they are a graduate of a commission accredited school or college of pharmacy because the curriculum satisfies this requirement.))

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-12-072, filed 6/1/20, effective 7/1/20)

WAC 246-945-200Pharmacy assistants.

(1) To become registered as a pharmacy assistant an applicant shall submit an application to the commission that meets the requirements of ((chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2))WAC 246-12-020.

(2) ((An initial applicant shall complete four hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.

(3))) The supervising pharmacist, shall instruct the pharmacy assistant regarding their scope of practice.

(((4)))(3) To renew a registration a pharmacy assistant shall submit an application to the commission with the applicable fees in accordance with ((chapter 246-907)) WAC 246-945-990.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-12-072, filed 6/1/20, effective 7/1/20)

WAC 246-945-205Pharmacy technician certification.

(1) An applicant for a pharmacy technician certification shall be ((eighteen))18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or GED.

(2) To be issued a certification as a pharmacy technician an applicant shall meet the qualifications in RCW 18.64A.020, and:

(a) Provide proof of completion of eight hours of guided study of Washington state and federal pharmacy law. The law study shall be done in coordination and oversight of a Washington licensed pharmacist.

(b) ((Provide proof of four hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8, the applicant is exempt if they have completed a commission-approved training program whose program materials on file with the commission office document four hours of AIDS education.

(c))) Provide proof of successful completion of a commission-approved pharmacy-technician training program WAC 246-945-215. Acceptable documentation includes:

(i) On-the-job training program. Successful completion of didactic and practice experience signed by the program director on a form provided by the commission; or

(ii) Formal academic or college programs. Official transcripts of completion of a diploma or certificate program at a pharmacy technician school or a two-year associate degree program, which shall include evidence of practice training hours; or

(iii) Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD214 documenting evidence of pharmacy technician training provided by a branch of the federal armed services.

(((d)))(c) Pass a national certification examination approved by the commission within one year of completing a commission-approved training program and applying for certification, unless otherwise authorized by the commission.

(3) An applicant who is a graduate of a foreign school, university or college of pharmacy or medicine, whose professional degree program is approved by the commission shall complete the following:

(a) If English is not the primary language, the applicant shall take and pass TOEFL iBT;

(b) Complete ((five hundred twenty))525 hours of supervised experience under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist with training hours reported using forms provided by the commission; and

(4) An out-of-state pharmacy technician applicant must meet the same requirements as a pharmacy technician trained in Washington state.