The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) conducts administrative hearings on behalf of certain state agencies and some local governments.  The OAH must follow procedures in the Washington Administrative Procedure Act (APA) for the service of administrative hearing notices and orders.

The OAH must set a time and place for each hearing and provide written notice to all parties and persons who filed a petition to intervene at least seven days before the hearing.  The following information must be included in the notice:

• the names and addresses of all the parties to whom notice is being given;
• the mailing address and phone number of the office representing the agency, if the agency intends to appear;
• the official file or reference number and the name of the proceeding;
• the name, official title, mailing address, and phone number of the presiding officer;
• a statement of the time, place, and nature of the proceeding;
• a statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held;
• the section of statutes and/or rules involved;
• a short and plain statement of the matters asserted by the agency;
• a statement that a party who fails to attend or participate in a hearing may be held in default. 

Depending on the availability of further review within an agency, an initial or final order may be entered.  Initial and final orders must include a statement of findings and conclusions on all material issues of fact, law, or discretion on the record and the reasons and bases for the findings and conclusions.

The OAH may serve hearing notices and initial orders to a party electronically with said party's agreement.

The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) may serve hearing notices and initial orders in unemployment compensation cases electronically during a pilot period through July 30, 2029.  The OAH does not need to obtain a party's agreement to electronic communication before serving electronic notices and orders as part of the pilot.