Subject of Possible Rule Making: Dental licensure requirements. The dental quality assurance commission (commission) is considering amending WAC 246-817-135 to remove requirements pertaining to federal or state tax numbers when applying for licensure without an examination. The commission is also considering amending WAC 246-817-160 to clarify clinical and didactic education and training requirements for foreign-trained dentists and graduates of nonaccredited schools or programs.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission has been receiving an increased number of applicants who have received training from nonaccredited schools or programs. Due to the varying degree of dental educational schools and programs, the commission is considering amending the rules pertaining to dental training and educational programs to clarify the standard requirements necessary to obtain licensure in Washington state.

The commission will consider amending WAC 246-817-135 to revise requirements related to federal or state tax numbers, and WAC 246-817-160 to clarify requirements relating to foreign-trained dentists and graduates of nonaccredited schools or programs. To protect an applicant's privacy and security, the commission will consider removing the requirement of providing federal and state tax numbers as it is not necessary to meet licensing requirements. Due to the varying degree of dental educational schools and programs, the commission will also consider clarifying the clinical and didactic educational and training requirements for graduates of nonaccredited schools. Providing clear standards would ensure minimum competency requirements are met.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Debbie Gardner, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4893, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 771 [711], email dental@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The commission will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The commission 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 doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to GovDelivery, please visit doh.wa.gov and select the button titled "Sign up for Updates From DOH" at the bottom of the page. After signing in, select "Health Systems Quality Assurance" and "Health Professions" and "Dental." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions listed to received information related to that specific profession.