Subject of Possible Rule Making: Updating respiratory care practitioner licensure and temporary practice permits. The department of health (department) is considering amendments to the following WAC sections to implement 2SHB 1009, (chapter 165, Laws of 2023) and 2SHB 1724, (chapter 425, Laws of 2023): WAC 246-928-420 Respiratory care practitioner application requirements, 246-928-540 Examination requirements for licensure as a respiratory care practitioner, 246-928-560 Licensure for persons credentialed out-of-state, and 246-928-570 Temporary practice permits for applicants credentialed out-of-state. The department may also consider making related updates or new sections to clarify and streamline licensure in chapter 246-928 WAC.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.89.050; 2SHB 1009, (chapter 165, Laws of 2023) 2SHB 1724, (chapter 425, Laws of 2023).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: 2SHB 1009 creates requirements for issuing a temporary practice permit to military spouses and requires that a temporary practice permit be issued to a military spouse for no less than 180 days. Under current rule, temporary practice permits are issued for only 90 days. The department will review all WAC sections related to temporary practice permits to bring them into alignment with 2SHB 1009.

Section 8 of 2SHB 1724 directs the department to waive certain requirements for licensure for specific types of applicants. The intent of the bill is to review and adjust licensure requirements to remove barriers to entering and remaining in the health care workforce, and to streamline the credentialing process. Rule making may be necessary to amend licensure requirements to align with section 8 of 2SHB 1724. The department may also consider related housekeeping updates and general changes to existing sections to clarify and streamline the chapter as appropriate to ensure the rules are clear and enforceable.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kathy Weed, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4883, TTY 711, email kathy.weed@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in drafting the proposed rules. The department will conduct a series of rules workshops. Rule-making notices will be delivered via the GovDelivery respiratory care practitioner health profession list. To receive notices, interested persons may go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. After signing in, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions" and then check "Respiratory Care Practitioner Program." You may check other boxes next to one or more of the professions listed to receive information regarding those professions.