Subject of Possible Rule Making: Administrator-in-training (AIT) programs and endorsement. The board of nursing home administrators (board) is considering amendments to WAC 246-843-090, 246-843-095, and 246-843-230 to consider aligning with the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards AIT program which could make the instructions easier to understand and make language consistent with other states' AIT programs. The board is also considering amending language for endorsement requirements to align with RCW 18.130.077.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.52.061, 18.52.071, and 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023), codified as RCW 18.130.077.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The national association has an AIT program used by many states; this program includes an easy way to determine how many hours are needed for each portion of the required clinical training. The board is considering adopting the national AIT program to make it easier for applicants and to align with other states. In addition, the endorsement rule currently requires that all initial requirements of licensure must be met, which does not align with RCW 18.130.077. The board will consider what amendments are needed to align with the statute.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Shelbee Scrimo, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4723, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email shelbee.scrimo@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The board will conduct a series of rules workshops. Rule-making notices will be delivered via GovDelivery. To receive notices, interested persons may sign up for any or all of the lists. Please go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. After signing in, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions." From there, check the box next to "nursing home administrators."