Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending rules pertaining to psychologists and licensure requirements, including accreditation standards, national examinations, competency, supervised experience, use of remote technology, sanctions, and other necessary changes.

The examining board of psychology (board) will consider amending WAC 246-924-010, 246-924-043, 246-924-046, 246-924-047, 246-924-049, 246-924-053, 246-924-056, 246-924-059, 246-924-070, 246-924-100, 246-924-493, and 246-924-495, and possibly creating and repealing sections in chapter 246-924 WAC. The board will consider amending licensure requirements and making changes: (1) For consistency with the American Psychology Association (APA) and other accreditation standards; (2) to address new national examination options; (3) to address concerns with minimum competency; (4) to update requirements for supervised experience; (5) to address the role of remote technology and telepsychology in the profession; (6) to clarify the application process and requirements; (7) to consider additional options for sanctions; and (8) to address any other issues as appropriate. The board may also consider housekeeping changes to clarify and streamline these sections of rule as appropriate.

This rule making is a continuation of discussions with interested parties and rule-making work done under WSR 22-04-055. Because the board received comments from the public on issues beyond the scope of the initial rule making, the board is filing a new CR-101 to open additional rule sections and consider additional topics.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Amendments to chapter 246-924 WAC may be necessary to address new developments within the profession, such as updated APA accreditation standards, a new national examination option, the increasing use of remote technologies to provide education and telepsychology treatment, professional association requests for expanded sanction options, and other issues raised by the board and the public, including the license application process and timelines. Incorporating changes into rule will provide clarity for licensees and allow the board to consistently uphold standards that protect public safety.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Nancy Delgado, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-4951, TTY 711, email psychology@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Rule development will take place in open public meetings prior to a formal rule proposal and comment period. All rule-making notices will be mailed via GovDelivery. To receive notices, interested persons may sign up by going to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. After signing up, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions," then, check the box next to "Examining Board of Psychology."