Subject of Possible Rule Making: Removing barriers for denturist licensure. The board of denturists (board) is considering updates to reduce licensure barriers, and will address jurisprudence exam and examination requirements for denturists. The board is considering adopting substantial equivalency standard rules within WAC 246-812-120, 246-812-125, 246-812-159, and other applicable rules in order to comply with 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: 2SHB 1724 requires disciplining authorities to 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 lasting longer than 90 days.

The goal of the substantial equivalency is to expand work force shortages and reduce licensing barriers. This legislation requires waiving all initial exam requirements, which would include the jurisprudence exam. The board is considering removing the jurisprudence exam requirement for initial licensure and adding it as a requirement for license renewal.

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

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The board will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The board 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, select "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, select "Health Professions," and then click on "Board of Denturists." You may also check the box next to any professions listed to receive information related to that specific profession.