HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2509

                       As Passed House

                      February 4, 1994

Title:  An act relating to the use of examinations in the credentialing of health professionals.

Brief Description:  Modifying credentialing of health professionals.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dellwo, Dyer and L. Johnson; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, January 25, 1994, DP;

  Passed House, February 4, 1994, 91-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Dellwo, Chair; L. Johnson, Vice Chair; Dyer, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Backlund; Conway; Cooke; Flemming; R. Johnson; Lemmon; Lisk; Mastin; Morris; Thibaudeau and Veloria.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  The authority of the examining boards that examine applicants for licensure as veterinarians, optometrists, and chiropractors to utilize national or regional examinations is unclear.

Summary of Bill:  The state Veterinary Board of Governors, Optometry Board, and Board of Chiropractic Examiners is authorized to develop and administer, or approve licensure examinations.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  These changes allow the professional boards the flexibility to utilize national examinations.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Don Williams and Steve Boruchowitz, Department of Health (pro).