Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-840-045 amending the section on initial licensure for registered nurses and practical nurses who graduate from an international school of nursing and amending WAC 246-840-130, criteria for approved refresher course.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.110.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The nursing commission is considering amending the rules to eliminate barriers for internationally educated nurses. (1) The current rules do not allow nurses licensed in another country to gain the clinical experience necessary to meet Washington licensure requirements. (2) Nurses from other countries not licensed in another state, but licensed in another country, do not meet the criteria for a limited authorization to achieve the clinical portion. The existing rules may present a barrier and options need to be explored, such as a limited authorization recognizing Canadian Provinces, using substantially equivalent international examination.

     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.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Terry West at (360) 236-4712 or terry.west@doh.wa.gov. To receive more information, interested parties are encouraged to join the nursing commission listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A0=NURSING-QAC.

August 13, 2012

Paula R. Meyer, MSN, RN

Executive Director