Subject of Possible Rule Making: Dentist compact (compact). The dental quality assurance commission (commission) and the department of health (department) are considering adding new section(s) to chapter 246-817 WAC to implement provisions of ESHB 1576 (chapter 297, Laws of 2023), codified as chapter 18.33 RCW, which creates a new interstate compact for dentists and gives member states the discretion to charge a fee for granting compact privileges.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Chapter 18.33 RCW is intended to facilitate the interstate practice of dentistry by providing a pathway for dentists licensed in a participating state to obtain a compact practice privilege that authorizes them to practice in another participating state where they are not already licensed. The dentist is subject to all scope of practice laws governing dental services in the state in which they are practicing. The compact enables participating states to protect the public health and safety with respect to the practice of dentists through the state's authority to regulate the practice of dentistry.

Rule making is necessary to enact provisions in chapter 18.33 RCW to include Washington state in a compact with multiple states. The compact will allow well-qualified dentists to obtain expedited practice privileges across any or all compact member states.

On June 16, 2023, during the commission business meeting, the commission authorized rule making to add a new section to chapter 246-817 WAC to facilitate license portability.

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, phone 360-236-4893, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email debbie.gardner@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" button at the bottom of the page. After signing in, select "Health Systems Quality Assurance" and "Health Professions" and "Dental List." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions listed to receive information related to that specific profession.