Subject of Possible Rule Making: Naturopathic licensure requirements; WAC 246-836-020 Requirements for licensure and 246-836-040 Jurisprudence examinations. The board of naturopathy (board) is considering amendments to licensure requirements relating to the jurisprudence examination as a condition for licensure and to clarify, update, and simplify rules to comply with 2SHB 1724, (chapter 425, Laws of 2023), codified as RCW 18.130.077.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.36A.160; and 2SHB 1724, codified as RCW 18.130.077.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 18.130.077 requires that, "Disciplining authorities shall waive education, training, experience, and exam requirements for applicants who have been credentialed in another state or states with substantially equivalent standards for at least two years immediately preceding their application with no interruption in licensure last longer than 90 days."

The board is considering amendments to rules regarding the jurisprudence examination as a condition for licensure to comply with the requirements in RCW 18.130.077. The board intends to implement the goals of this statue by considering amendments that clarify, update, and simplify the naturopathic licensure process to reduce licensure barriers for licensed applicants who have been credentialed in states with substantially equivalent standards. The board will also consider any other related sections that are affected by 2SHB 1724.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Rachel Phipps, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 564-233-1277, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email naturopathy@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov/naturopathy.

Additional comments: The board will use the existing GovDelivery list to inform stakeholders of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. Interested parties can join the GovDelivery list to get information on participating in the process by subscribing at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new and selecting "Naturopathy program."