Subject of Possible Rule Making: Allowing virtual training for point injection therapy for acupuncture and Eastern medicine. The department of health (department), in consultation with the acupuncture and Eastern medicine advisory committee, is considering amending WAC 246-803-040 Education and training for point injection therapy, to allow the 16 hours of didactic education to occur through webinar or other online or distance learning methods. There may be other changes needed for clarity due to this proposed change in the rule.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department received an email petition on June 2, 2023, asking for rule making for point injection therapy training flexibility from the Washington Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Association and from an individual who provides point injection therapy education and training. After careful consideration, the department agreed to explore potential rule changes.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Vicki Brown, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4865, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email vicki.brown@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The department will use existing GovDelivery lists and other known contact information to inform interested parties of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To find out more information about our rule making, visit www.doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to GovDelivery, please visit www.doh.wa.gov, and select the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of the page. After signing in, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions," and then click on "Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioners."