The physician assistant is exempt from the consultation requirement in WAC 246-918-880 if one or more of the following qualifications are met:

(1) The physician assistant is a pain management specialist under WAC 246-918-895;

(2) The physician assistant has successfully completed a minimum of twelve category I continuing education hours on chronic pain management within the previous four years. At least two of these hours must be dedicated to substance use disorders;

(3) The physician assistant is a pain management physician assistant working in a multidisciplinary chronic pain treatment center or a multidisciplinary academic research facility; or

(4) The physician assistant has a minimum of three years of clinical experience in a chronic pain management setting, and at least thirty percent of their current practice is the direct provision of pain management care.