WSR 98-11-064
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
[Filed May 19, 1998, 10:59 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-834-060, 246-834-070 and 246-834-080, these rules describe the current processes for application for licensure examination, release of examination results and failures. The department is considering revising these rules to allow the adoption of a national examination.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.50.060.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The current state midwifery licensure examination was developed by the Midwifery Advisory Committee and is currently in need of revision. This revision would involve a large amount of time and resources. It has come to the department's attention that a national organization has developed an examination specifically for direct entry midwives. This exam was based upon an intensive job analysis of the profession and has been deemed psychometrically sound. It was also reviewed by an independent organization who found that this examination sets out to test and measure the same topics as the state examination and the examinations should be considered comparable measures of competency. If the rules allowed for the adoption of the national examination, the department may be able to offer a quality examination without expending considerable resources. In addition, it has come to the department's attention that other states have already adopted this examination and more are considering adopting it. If the department does adopt the examination, it may allow for easier endorsement of licensees who are licensed in other states.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making, the department intends to hold an open forum on June 5, 1998, at the Midwifery Advisory Committee meeting in Olympia, Washington to elicit input from interested parties. An interested parties list has been developed and all licensed midwives and interested parties will be informed. In addition, the midwifery program will review the rules of other professions for content.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. A public meeting will be held to obtain public input on June 5, 1998, at the Department of Health, 1101 Quince Street, Olympia, WA 98504. Written comments may be submitted to Department of Health, Midwifery Program, Attn: Kendra Pitzler, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, phone (360) 664-4216, FAX (360) 586-2165.
May 18, 1998
Bruce Miyahara
Secretary