DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Economic Services Administration)

(1) To determine whether a medically determinable impairment exists, we ((accept)) consider medical evidence from ((the following sources when considering incapacity)) "acceptable medical sources." "Acceptable medical sources" include the following:

(((1))) (a) For a physical impairment, a health professional licensed in Washington state or where the examination was performed:

(i) Medical doctor (((M.D.))) (MD); ((and))

(ii) Doctor of osteopathy (((D.O.))) (DO);

(d) A)) (iii) Doctor of optometry (((O.D.))) (OD) for visual ((acuity impairments)) disorders;

(((e))) (iv) Doctor of podiatry (((D.P.))) (DP) for foot and ankle disorders;

(((f))) (ix) Doctor of dental surgery (((D.D.S.))) (DDS) or doctor of medical dentistry (((D.M.D.))) (DMD) for tooth abscesses or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders; ((or)) and

(((g) The)) (x) Chief of ((medical administration)) staff of ((the Veterans' Administration)) a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, or their designee, as authorized in federal law.

(((2))) (b) For a mental impairment, a health professional licensed in Washington state or where the examination was performed:

(((a) A)) (i) Psychiatrist;

(((b) A)) (ii) Psychologist;

(3) We do not accept medical evidence from the medical professionals listed in (1) and (2) above, unless they are licensed in Washington state or the state where the examination was performed)) (iii) Advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) for impairments within their licensed scope of practice;

(viii) Physician treating you for a mental impairment.

(((4))) (2) "Supplemental medical evidence" means information from a licensed health professional ((not listed in (1) or (2) above)) who can provide supporting documentation for impairments established by ((a medical professional)) an "acceptable medical source" listed in subsection (1) ((or (2) above)) of this section. "Supplemental medical evidence" sources include, but are not limited to:

(a) ((Health professionals who have conducted tests or provided ongoing treatment to you, such as a physical therapist, chiropractor, nurse, naturopath, audiologist, or licensed social worker;

(c) Chemical dependency professionals (CDPs) when requesting information on the effects of alcohol or drug abuse)) Naturopath;

(d) Chemical dependency professional (CDP) when requesting information on the effects of substance use disorders.

(((5))) (3) "Other evidence" means information from ((other)) sources not listed ((above)) in subsections (1) and (2) of this section who can provide supporting documentation of functioning for impairments established by an "acceptable medical ((sources)) source" in ((subsections)) subsection (1) ((or (2))) of this section. Sources of "other evidence" may include public and private agencies, schools, ((parents)) family members, friends, caregivers, and employers((, and practitioners such as social workers)).

(1) To determine whether a medically determinable impairment exists, we consider medical evidence from "acceptable medical sources." "Acceptable medical sources" include the following:

(((1))) (a) For a physical impairment, a health professional licensed in Washington state or where the examination was performed:

(i) Medical doctor (((M.D.))) (MD);

(ii) Doctor of osteopathy (((D.O.))) (DO);

(iii) Doctor of optometry (((O.D.))) (OD) for visual disorders;

(iv) Doctor of podiatry (((D.P.))) (DP) for foot and ankle disorders;

(vii) Audiologist for impairments of hearing loss, auditory processing disorders, and balance disorders within their licensed scope of practice; and

(((v))) (viii) Qualified speech-language pathologist((s)), for purposes of establishing speech or language impairments ((only)).

(((2))) (b) For a mental impairment, ((professionals)) a health professional licensed in Washington state or where the examination was performed:

(((a) A)) (i) Psychiatrist; ((or

(b) A)) (ii) Psychologist;

(v) School psychologist or other licensed or certified individual who performs the same function as a school psychologist in a school setting for impairments of intellectual disability, learning disability, or borderline intellectual functioning.

(((3))) (2) We accept medical evidence of how your impairment(s) affect your ability to function from "treating medical sources" once a diagnosis of a medically determinable impairment has been established by an "acceptable medical source" listed in subsection (1) ((and (2) above, "treating)) of this section. "Treating medical sources" must be licensed to provide healthcare and include, but are not limited to:

(a) ((All medical professionals listed in (1) and (2) above;

(b) A)) Physician treating you for a mental impairment;

(d) An advanced nurse practitioner for conditions within their certification)) (b) Clinical social worker;

(g) Chemical dependency professional (CDP) when requesting information on the effects of substance use disorders.

(((4))) (3) "Other evidence" means information from ((other)) sources not listed in ((subsection)) subsections (1)((,)) and (2)((, or (3))) of this section who can provide supporting documentation of functioning for impairments established by an "acceptable medical ((sources)) source" in ((subsections)) subsection (1) ((or (2))) of this section. Sources of "other evidence" may include public and private agencies, schools, ((parents)) family members, friends, caregivers, and employers((, and practitioners such as social workers, mental health professionals, naturopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, and audiologists)).