Subject of Possible Rule Making: Extending the duration of temporary practice permits for pharmacy interns who are military spouses and establishing a renewal extension process for pharmacy interns. The pharmacy quality assurance commission (commission) is considering amending WAC 246-945-155, 246-945-156, other related sections as needed, and potentially adding a new section in chapter 246-945 WAC to amend its requirements relating to pharmacy intern registrations. Specifically, the commission is considering amending WAC 246-945-155 and adding a new section to chapter 246-945 WAC to grant renewal extensions to pharmacy interns who have reached the renewal limitation to address concerns raised by interested parties. Additionally, the commission is considering amending WAC 246-945-156 to extend the duration of a temporary pharmacy intern practice permit to 180 days for applicants who are spouses of military personnel and who meet the criteria in RCW 18.340.020 (1)(a) in accordance with 2SHB 1009 (chapter 165, Laws of 2023).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: On December 14, 2023, the commission voted to consider rule making pertaining to two topics related to pharmacy intern registration establishing a process to exceed the current limit in rule on registration renewals and extending the duration of temporary pharmacy intern practice permits for military spouses.

Renewal Extension Process: At the October 19, 2023, business meeting, the commission received a public comment requesting the commission allow pharmacy interns the ability to renew their license beyond the two-renewal limit set in WAC 246-945-155(3). At the December 2023 business meeting, the commission voted to consider rule making and file a policy statement to establish a process for the commission to consider extensions beyond the two-renewal limit while rule making is in progress. The renewal extension process allows individuals more time to complete their pharmacy interns hours before obtaining a pharmacist license.

Temporary Practice Permits for Military Spouses: 2SHB 1009 Military Spouse Employment Act (chapter 165, Laws of 2023) went into effect on July 23, 2023. Section 4 of the bill took effect on October 1, 2023, and requires each licensing authority to issue temporary practice permits for a minimum of 180 days to applicants who are spouses of military personnel subject to a military transfer, and who are licensed, certified, or registered in another state to perform professional services in that state. The commission already has rules in place for temporary practice permits; however, the temporary practice permit for pharmacy interns is for a 90-day period with an option to renew for a second 90-day period. At the December 2023 business meeting, the commission voted to consider rule making to extend its temporary practice permit for pharmacy interns who are spouses of military personnel to 180 days in compliance with 2SHB 1009 and file an interim policy statement to extend the duration a pharmacy intern temporary practice permit for spouses of military personnel is valid during the rule-making process.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Renewal Extension Process: The commission is the only Washington state agency that regulates the subject of licensing pharmacy interns per chapter 246-945 WAC. No other federal agencies regulate the matter either.

Temporary Practice Permits for Military Spouses: The Washington military department (WMD) regulates military employee impacts of rules. WMD would be able to provide insight on the impact of temporary practice permits for applicants who are spouses of military personnel.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Julia Katz, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-791-1167, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email PharmacyRules@doh.wa.gov, website https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/pharmacy-commission.

Additional comments: Rule development takes place in open public meetings prior to a formal rule proposal and comment period. All rule-making notices are sent 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 boxes next to either "Pharmacy Commission Meeting and Agenda" and/or "Pharmacy Commission Newsletter."