DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Dental Quality Assurance Commission)

[Filed November 22, 2024, 4:45 p.m., effective December 23, 2024]

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

Purpose: Military spouses; reducing barriers to temporary practice permits for dental licenses. The dental quality assurance commission amended WAC 246-817-187 by removing the requirement for military spouses who hold a license in another state to first leave employment before applying for a temporary practice permit in Washington state.

The adopted rule aligns with 2SHB 1009 (chapter 165, Laws of 2023), codified in RCW 18.340.020, which alters temporary practice permit requirements to expedite the issuance of professional licenses for military spouses who hold a license in another state by removing the need to first leave employment.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-817-187.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.340.020.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-15-006 on July 3, 2024.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: November 11, 2024.

Bryan Swanson, DDS, Chair

Dental Quality Assurance Commission

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 15-11-005, filed 5/7/15, effective 6/7/15)

WAC 246-817-187Temporary practice permit—Military spouse eligibility and issuance.

A military spouse or state registered domestic partner of a military person may receive a temporary practice permit while completing any specific additional requirements that are not related to training or practice standards for the profession. This section applies to dentists licensed in chapter 18.32 RCW, expanded function dental auxiliaries licensed and dental assistants registered in chapter 18.260 RCW, and dental anesthesia assistants certified in chapter 18.350 RCW.

(1) A temporary practice permit may be issued to an applicant who is a military spouse or state registered domestic partner of a military person and:

(a) Is moving to Washington as a result of the military person's transfer to Washington;

(b) ((Left employment in another state to accompany the military person to Washington;

(c))) Holds an unrestricted, active credential in another state that has substantially equivalent credentialing standards for the same profession to those in Washington; and

(((d)))(c) Is not subject to any pending investigation, charges, or disciplinary action by the regulatory body of the other state or states.

(2) A temporary practice permit grants the individual the full scope of practice for the profession.

(3) A temporary practice permit expires when any one of the following occurs:

(a) The credential is granted;

(b) A notice of decision on the application is mailed to the applicant, unless the notice of decision on the application specifically extends the duration of the temporary practice permit; or

(4) To receive a temporary practice permit, the applicant must:

(a) Submit the necessary application, fee(s), fingerprint card if required, and documentation for the credential;

(b) ((Attest on the application that the applicant left employment in another state to accompany the military person;

(c))) Meet all requirements and qualifications for the credential that are specific to the training, education, and practice standards for the profession;

(((d)))(c) Provide verification of having an active unrestricted credential in the same profession from another state that has substantially equivalent credentialing standards for the profession in Washington;

(((e)))(d) Submit a copy of the military person's orders and a copy of:

(i) The military-issued identification card showing the military person's information and the applicant's relationship to the military person;

(ii) A marriage license; or

(iii) A state registered domestic partnership; and

(((f)))(e) Submit a written request for a temporary practice permit.

(5) For the purposes of this section:

(a) "Military person" means a person serving in the United States armed forces, the United States public health service commissioned corps, or the merchant marine of the United States.

(b) "Military spouse" means the husband, wife, or registered domestic partner of a military person.