ByRepresentatives Chambers, Gilday, Jacobsen, Simmons, Corry, Graham, Dolan, Riccelli, Eslick, Lekanoff, and Wicks

Read first time 01/11/22.Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

AN ACT Relating to expired certifications for certain health professions; amending RCW 18.88A.130; and adding a new section to chapter 18.88B RCW.

Sec. 1. RCW 18.88A.130 and 2012 c 208 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Registrations, certifications, and medication assistant endorsements shall be renewed according to administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees determined by the secretary under RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.

(2)(a) A certificate that has been expired for five years or less may be reinstated if the person holding the expired certificate:

(ii) Pays any necessary fees, including the current certification fee, late renewal fees, and expired credential reissuance fees;

(iii) Provides a written declaration that no action has been taken by a state or federal jurisdiction or hospital which would prevent or restrict the person holding the expired certificate from practicing as a certified nursing assistant; and

(iv) Provides a written declaration that the person holding the expired certificate has not voluntarily given up any credential or privilege or has not been restricted from practicing as a certified nursing assistant in lieu of or to avoid formal action.

(b) In addition to meeting the requirements of (a) of this subsection, a certificate that has been expired for more than five years may be reinstated if the person holding the expired certificate demonstrates competence to the standards established by the commission and meets other requirements established by the secretary.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 18.88B RCW to read as follows:

(1) A certificate that has been expired for five years or less may be reinstated if the person holding the expired certificate:

(b) Pays any necessary fees, including the current certification fee, late renewal fees, and expired credential reissuance fees;

(c) Provides a written declaration that no action has been taken by a state or federal jurisdiction or hospital which would prevent or restrict the person holding the expired certificate from practicing as a home care aide; and

(d) Provides a written declaration that the person holding the expired certificate has not voluntarily given up any credential or privilege or has not been restricted from practicing as a home care aide in lieu of or to avoid formal action.

(2) In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, a certificate that has been expired for more than five years may be reinstated if the person holding the expired certificate demonstrates competence to the standards established by the secretary and meets other requirements established by the secretary.