(1) Requests for exemption must be submitted by the employing agency designee for any coroner, medical examiner, or medicolegal investigative personnel directly affected by the regulation who wish to receive exemption from the initial certification training requirement. Requests shall be submitted in writing with appropriate documentation to the commission.

(2) Request for exemption:

(a) For a medical examiner:

(i) Proof of board certification as a forensic pathologist by the American Board of Pathology.

(ii) Proof of licensure by the Washington state medical commission.

(iii) Proof of good standing by the employing agency on agency letterhead.

(b) For a coroner or medicolegal investigative personnel:

(i) Proof of employment as a coroner or medicolegal investigative personnel by a county coroner's or medical examiner's office for at least 12 months as a full-time employee or 18 months as a part-time employee.

(ii) Proof of certification (minimum registry) by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.

(iii) Proof of medicolegal forensic investigation training comparable to that offered by the commission. Documentation shall include:

(A) Certificate of completion or other documentation showing completion;

(B) Course description;

(C) Agenda/syllabus/program;

(D) Number of education hours.

(iv) Proof of good standing by the employing agency on agency letterhead.

(3) Upon submission of the appropriate documentation, the commission shall review and evaluate relevant materials and issue a certificate if applicable within 60 days (days calculated per RCW 1.12.040).

(4) If the individual has not met the qualifications to receive exemption, the commission shall:

(a) Issue a certificate upon satisfactory completion of required training or submission of needed materials; or

(b) Require the individual to attend the core medicolegal forensic investigation training produced by the commission in conjunction with the Washington Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (WACME).

(5) Issuance of a certificate through the exemption process does not exempt the individual from recertification requirements of WAC 139-27-050 or the continuing education requirements of WAC 139-27-040.