PROPOSED RULES
(Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission)
Original Notice.
Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).
Title of Rule: To address new rule WAC 246-840-311 ARNP previously adopted specialties.
Purpose: This rule will allow those persons whose specialty area has been eliminated for new applicants to renew their licenses. The proposal outlines procedures for ARNPs who were originally certified in certain specialties, to enable them to maintain their license in the specialty area.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.79.110.
Summary: Advanced registered nurse practitioners can become certified in specialty areas. There are currently eleven recognized specialty areas. In the 1990s, rules were amended to drop six specialty areas. These specialty areas were eliminated for new applicants because other specialty areas existed that were more current, some categories had merged into more specific areas, national examinations in these categories were no longer meeting Nursing Commission's criteria for advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) certification, and national examinations in these categories were no longer administered. The proposal sets renewal procedures for ARNPs currently holding licenses in the six specialty areas, which are no longer used for new applicants.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposal allows continued licensure for the ARNPs who hold these specialty certifications.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Terry J. West, P.O. Box 47846, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 236-4712.
Name of Proponent: Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Advanced registered nurse practitioners can become certified in specialty areas. There are currently eleven specialty areas recognized by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. In the 1990s, rules were amended to drop six specialty areas. These specialty areas were eliminated for new applicants because other specialty areas existed that were more current, some categories had merged into more specific areas, national examinations in these categories were no longer meeting Nursing Commission's criteria for advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) certification, and national examinations in these categories were no longer administered. The proposal sets renewal procedures for ARNPs currently holding licenses in the six specialty areas.
However, the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission continued to recognize the licensees who held certification in the six specialty areas. This new rule will allow continued renewal for these six categories.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The proposal creates a new section of rule within chapter 246-840 WAC. The new section enables continued licensure for individuals who have certification in six specialty areas no longer recognized for new applicants. The Nursing Commission no longer issues new licenses in these specialty areas but they are still recognized for those licensees who received licenses in these specialty areas and meet all other renewal requirements.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposal is exempt because it adopts a related process requirement for applying for a license per RCW 34.05.310 (3)(g)(ii).
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. Does not apply because this is a procedural rule which adopts a process requirement and does not subject the violator to a penalty or sanction.
Hearing Location: Phoenix Inn Suites, 415 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501, (360) 570-0555 (hotel receptionist), on September 13, 2002, at 10:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Kris McLaughlin, (360) 236-4712, by September 6, 2002, TDD 1-800-833-6388.
Submit Written Comments to: Terry J. West, Health Administrator, P.O. Box 47846, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail terry.west@doh.wa.gov, fax (360) 236-4738, by September 10, 2002.
Date of Intended Adoption: September 13, 2002.
June 6, 2002
Paula R. Meyer, RN, MSN
Executive Director
OTS-5488.3
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-840-311
ARNP previously adopted specialties.
(1)
The nursing care quality assurance commission recognizes the need
to provide for renewing the licenses of advanced registered nurse
practitioners certified in:
(a) Community health nurse;
(b) Maternal/GYN/neonatal nurse;
(c) Medical/surgical nursing;
(d) Occupational health nurse;
(e) Neurosurgical nursing; or
(f) Enterostomal therapy.
(2) Failure to renew. If any current credential holder of one or more of the above six categories fails to renew his or her credential(s), then upon the expiration of the current credential listed above, the nursing care quality assurance commission will not renew or recognize the specialty certification(s) listed above for that individual according to the requirements of WAC 246-840-360.
(3) Existing licenses only. This rule applies only to existing licensees issued credentials in the above six categories by the Washington state nursing care quality assurance commission. No new applications will be accepted for certification in the above six categories.
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