Subject of Possible Rule Making: Examination requirements for orthotists and prosthetists. The department of health (department), along with the orthotics and prosthetics advisory committee, is considering amendments to comply with recent legislation. To align chapter 246-850 WAC with 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023), the department is considering amending the jurisprudence examination as a requirement for licensure and possibly incorporating knowledge of professional jurisprudence into continuing competency requirements for orthotists and prosthetists. The department will consider amending WAC 246-850-060, 246-850-140, 246-850-150, and other related sections, along with the establishment of potential new WAC sections.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 2023, 2SHB 1724, codified in RCW 18.130.077, required 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 department is considering amendments to rules regarding the jurisprudence examination as a requirement for initial licensure in order to comply with the requirements in RCW 18.130.077. To maintain consistent standards for in-state and out-of-state applicants and ensure that all licensed providers have sufficient knowledge of Washington laws, the department may consider replacing the jurisprudence exam with a continuing competency requirement. The department also intends to implement the goals of this statute by considering amendments that clarify, update, and simplify the orthotics and prosthetics licensure process and reduce licensure barriers for applicants.

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 orthotics-prosthetics@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The department will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The department 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, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions" and then click on "Orthotics and Prosthetics Program." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions listed to receive information related to that specific profession.