The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1) "Superintendent" means the Washington state superintendent of public instruction or designee.

(2) "School bus driver" means a person, who is employed by a local education agency including contracted drivers under WAC 392-144-040 (1) and (2) and as part of that employment or contract, operates a school bus as defined in WAC 392-143-010, or other motor vehicles for the regularly scheduled transportation of students between home and school. School buses shall be operated by authorized school bus drivers when transporting students. An authorized school bus driver may also transport students on field trips and other school related activities.

(3) "School bus driver's authorization" means an authorization issued by the superintendent indicating that the person has met the requirements to operate a school bus or other motor vehicle for the purpose of transporting students to and from school routinely on scheduled routes and/or school activities. A school bus driver must have a valid authorization prior to transporting students and such authorization shall continue in effect as long as the person continues to meet the requirements of this chapter. A school bus driver authorization is not valid if suspended, revoked or lapsed.

(4) "Lapsed school bus driver's authorization" means the driver does not have a valid driver's license, current first-aid training, a current medical examiner's certificate (including any required intrastate medical waiver) or current in-service training. A school bus driver shall not operate a school bus with passengers on board until they meet all requirements. There is no requirement for a lapse in authorization to be reported to the superintendent of public instruction.

(5) "Suspended school bus driver's authorization" means the superintendent has suspended the school bus driver's authorization for a specific period of time. The superintendent will not remove the driver from the agency's list of authorized drivers. This action does not prevent the local education agency from taking independent actions to terminate the employment of the driver. In that case, the local education agency would remove the driver from the list of their authorized drivers.

(6) "Revoked school bus driver's authorization" means the superintendent has determined the school bus driver no longer meets the minimum requirements of this chapter and the driver's name is removed from the list of authorized drivers at the employing local education agency. The driver will not be eligible to be an authorized school bus driver at any local education agency until the disqualifying conditions are no longer present. In those rare situations where the disqualifying conditions are particularly grievous including, but not limited to, crimes against children and falsification of records, the revocation may be permanent.

(7) "Authorized school bus driver instructor" means an individual authorized by the superintendent to verify the training of school bus drivers.

(8) "School bus driver training course" means a course established by the superintendent and taught or overseen by an authorized school bus driver instructor. This course shall be successfully completed by all applicants for a school bus driver's authorization.

(9) "School bus driver annual in-service training" means annual training taught by an authorized school bus driver instructor. The content and minimum time requirements of such training shall be annually determined by the superintendent and shall be completed no earlier than August 1st and no later than October 31st by all authorized school bus drivers. A school bus driver's authorization is lapsed effective the first day of November of any school year if the school bus driver did not attend the in-service training class.

(10) "School bus driver instructor's course" means a training program established by the superintendent to qualify a person as a school bus driver instructor.

(11) "School bus driver instructor's annual in-service training" means annual required training, the content of which shall be determined by the superintendent. Successful completion of this course prevents the instructor's authorization from lapsing.

(12) "Professional misconduct" means a documented instance of an authorized school bus driver failing to comply with the provisions of this chapter, the provisions of chapter 392-145 WAC, or the provisions of chapter 46.25 RCW while authorized to operate a school bus and chapter 46.61 RCW while operating a school bus.

(13) "Certified medical examiner" means an individual certified by the federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

(14) "Medical examiner's certificate" means a written verification of passing a medical examination in accordance with the standards established in 49 C.F.R. 391.41 through 391.49, of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

(15) "Local education agency" means a common school district, educational service district, charter school established under chapter 28A.710 RCW, or state-tribal education compact school approved and executed under chapter 28A.715 RCW.