Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants—Reducing licensure barriers. The board of physical therapy (board) is proposing amendments to WAC 246-915-030, 246-915-040, 246-915-085, and 246-915-120 in order to comply with section 8 of 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023), codified as RCW 18.130.077 and to make general and housekeeping updates to these sections. Additionally, the board is proposing amendments to WAC 246-915-040 to further expand upon the endorsement pathway required under 2SHB 1724 and amendments to WAC 246-915-120 to streamline the foreign educated applicant application process.

Hearing Location(s): On February 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at the Washington State Department of Health, 111 Israel Road S.E., Town Center 2, Room 153, Tumwater, WA 98501; or virtual Microsoft Teams meeting https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fl%2Fmeetupjoin%2F19%253ameeting_NGFjYzQ1MmUtZWM4Zi00ZDMxLWEzY2EtODc3MWMxZDg2ODY1%2540thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%252211d0e217-264e-400a-8ba0-57dcc127d72d%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522fba7987b-ba18-412c-b191-c46121cda5c4%2522%257d&data=05%7C02%7CAllyson.McIver%40doh.wa.gov%7C09e987cb33b24de3151308dcdce71c47%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C638628132367612604%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4 wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FI%2FCqUMAuy%2B4wHfc2SOAn9bm%2BIwgLP%2BtFyA1mWaGsaM%3D&reserved=0, Meeting ID 265 225 377 723, Passcode 8Wsupq; or dial in by phone +1 564-999-2000,,54577111# United States, Olympia, (833) 322-1218,,54577111# United States (Toll-free), Phone conference ID 545 771 11#. You many attend virtually or in person. You may also submit comments in writing.

Submit Written Comments to: Allyson McIver, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7582 [7852], email physical.therapy@doh.wa.gov, https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, beginning October 22, 2024, at 2:50 p.m., by February 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: At the February 24, 2025, hearing, the board will continue the public hearing that was originated on December 9, 2024. The board will continue taking public comment and intends to discuss the proposed rule and comments received as part of the public hearing process for the following proposal.

The board is proposing revisions to existing rules to waive education, training, experience, and examination requirements for applicants that qualify for licensure by endorsement to implement RCW 18.130.077. Specifically, the board is proposing to:

Additional proposed amendments to WAC 246-915-040 add a new a licensure by endorsement pathway for applicants who have been actively licensed for less than two years in a state or states with substantially equivalent standards to Washington. The board is also proposing further amendments to the foreign educated applicants section to clarify the requirements in WAC 246-915-120.


•	Remove unnecessary language in WAC 246-915-030.
•	Amend WAC 246-915-040 to create a faster pathway to licensure for out-of-state physical therapists and physical therapy assistants that have been credentialed in another state or states with substantially equivalent standards for two years or more, with no interruption in licensure for longer than 90 days, provided that they also meet the requirements in RCW 18.130.077(3).
•	Remove the jurisprudence examination requirement in WAC 246-915-120.
•	Amend the continuing education (CE) requirements in WAC 246-915-085 to add the jurisprudence examination as a free CE hour that must be completed within their first full CE cycle after initial licensure.