DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission)

[Filed November 22, 2024, 4:19 p.m., effective December 23, 2024]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: Pharmacy intern credentials; extending the duration of temporary practice permits for pharmacy interns and establishing a renewal extension process for pharmacy interns. The pharmacy quality assurance commission (commission) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-945-155 and 246-945-156 related to pharmacy intern registration requirements. Specifically, the commission amended WAC 246-945-155 to grant additional renewals to pharmacy interns to address concerns raised by interested parties. Additionally, the commission amended WAC 246-945-156 to extend the duration of pharmacy intern temporary practice permits to 180 days which stems from compliance with 2SHB 1009.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-945-155 and 246-945-156.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.64.005, 18.64.080, and 18.340.020.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-007 on August 8, 2024.

A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Julia Katz, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-502-5058, fax 360-236-2260, email PharmacyRules@doh.wa.gov, website https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/pharmacy-commission.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: November 20, 2024.

Hawkins DeFrance, PharmD, Chair

Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-12-072, filed 6/1/20, effective 7/1/20)

WAC 246-945-155Pharmacy interns—Registration requirements.

(1) Unless otherwise stated, each individual shall register with the commission, as a pharmacy intern before beginning pharmacy practice experiences in Washington state. The commission shall grant a registration to practice pharmacy as a pharmacy intern to an individual who is:

(a) Currently enrolled in a professional degree program of a commission accredited school or college of pharmacy and making satisfactory progress towards meeting the requirements for licensure as a pharmacist;

(b) A graduate of a commission accredited school or college of pharmacy;

(c) A graduate of a school or college of pharmacy located outside the United States who has established educational equivalency by obtaining certification by FPGEC;

(d) Required by the commission to be an intern because the commission has determined the individual needs to complete additional practical experience before a pharmacist license is issued or reissued; or

(e) An out-of-state pharmacist enrolled in or participating in an established residency program.

(2) A pharmacy intern shall practice under the immediate supervision of a licensed pharmacist except in accordance with RCW 18.64.253.

(3) A pharmacy intern registration ((can only))may be renewed ((twice))three times. The commission may, for good cause shown, authorize additional renewals for a pharmacy intern registrant who meets all pharmacy intern registration requirements in WAC 246-945-150, subsection (1)(a) through (e) of this section, RCW 18.64.080, and provides an explanation and documentation of good cause.

(4) The commission may consider a pharmacy intern registration inoperable or superseded if one of the following occurs:

(a) A pharmacy intern has not graduated from and is no longer enrolled or in good standing with a commission accredited school or college of pharmacy.

(b) A pharmacy intern is issued a license to practice as a pharmacist in Washington state or another U.S. jurisdiction.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-11-060, filed 5/13/24, effective 6/13/24)

WAC 246-945-156Pharmacy intern—Temporary practice permit.

(1) An individual that holds a pharmacy intern registration in another U.S jurisdiction, that has registration standards substantially equivalent to Washington, may request a temporary practice permit if:

(a) The applicant is not subject to denial of a credential or issuance of a conditional or restricted credential in any state;

(b) Does not have a criminal record in Washington state;

(d) The applicant meets WAC 246-945-155 (1)(a) or (b).

(2) To request a temporary practice permit, the pharmacy intern applicant shall submit a written request for a temporary practice permit, and any applicable fees in accordance with WAC 246-945-990 through 246-945-992.

(3) A temporary practice permit expires:

(a) When the pharmacy intern registration is issued;

(b) When a notice of decision on the pharmacy intern registration application is mailed to the applicant; or

(c) ((Ninety))One hundred eighty days after the temporary practice permit is issued. The applicant may obtain a one-time extension of up to 90 days with approval of the commission.