Subject of Possible Rule Making: Removing licensure barriers for podiatric physicians and surgeons. WAC 246-922-055 Reciprocity requirements. The podiatric medical board (board) is considering updates to reduce licensure barriers for podiatric physicians and surgeons. The board is considering amending reciprocity requirements in order to comply with 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023), codified at RCW 18.130.077.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 18.130.077 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 for longer than 90 days.

The goal of the substantial equivalency is to address work force shortages and reduce licensing barriers. This legislation requires waiving all initial exam requirements.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tommy Simpson III, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4910 or 564-669-8421, TTY 711, email tommy.simpson@doh.wa.gov, website https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/podiatric-physician-and-surgeon.

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 "Podiatric Medical Board." You may also check the box next to any professions listed to receive information related to that specific profession.