DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed November 17, 2024, 11:14 a.m., effective April 1, 2025]

Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2025.

Purpose: Genetic counselors; amending WAC 246-825-080 to remove licensure barriers and update rules to align with recent legislation.

The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-825-080 to waive education, training, experience, and examination requirements for applicants that qualify for licensure by endorsement to implement RCW 18.130.077.

Under RCW 18.130.077, all disciplining authorities shall waive education, training, experience, and exam requirements for applicants who have been credentialed in another state or states with substantially equivalent standards for at least two years immediately preceding their application with no interruption in licensure for longer than 90 days. The statute also allows disciplining authorities to choose to waive education, training, experience, and exam requirements for applicants who have achieved the national credential for their profession.

To align with RCW 18.130.077, the adopted rules:

• Create a faster pathway to licensure for out-of-state genetic counselors by waiving the requirement that applicants provide proof of examination and education for applicants that have been credentialed in another state with substantially equivalent standards and meet the requirements in RCW 18.130.077 (1) and (3).

• Add a pathway to Washington licensure for applicants that hold the national certification with the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) or the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) and meet the requirements in RCW 18.130.077(3).

• Provide clarifying language to create licensure requirements that are clear and easy to understand.

The adopted rule will streamline and shorten the credentialing process for genetic counselors, remove barriers to entering and remaining in the genetic counselor workforce, and align the section with RCW 18.130.077.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-825-080.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.290.020 and 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023), codified as RCW 18.130.077.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-18-007 on August 22, 2024.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: November 17, 2024.

Kristin Peterson, JD

for Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-02-002, filed 12/23/20, effective 1/23/21)

WAC 246-825-080Licensure by endorsement.

(((1) An applicant for licensure as a genetic counselor who is currently licensed under the laws of another state shall file an application with the department and submit:

(a) Documentation verifying that the applicant meets the education requirements under WAC 246-825-060;

(b) Documentation that the applicant holds an unrestricted active license to practice as a genetic counselor in another state;

(c) Proof of passing the ABGC certification examination or the ABMG general genetics and genetic counseling specialty examinations or the ABMG clinical genetics specialty or subspecialty certification examinations;

(d) Any other written declarations or documentation, as required by the secretary; and

(e)))A genetic counselor license may be issued by endorsement if the applicant meets the requirements in either subsection (1) or (2) of this section. An endorsement applicant may also apply for a temporary practice permit as established under WAC 246-12-050.

(1) An applicant may obtain licensure by endorsement if the applicant is currently licensed in a state or jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards and has been licensed for at least the immediately preceding two years and meets all other requirements of RCW 18.130.077. The applicant shall submit to the department:

(a) An application on forms provided by the department;

(b) Proof of licensure history that demonstrates compliance with RCW 18.130.077; and

(2) ((The secretary may examine an endorsement application to determine whether the licensing standards of the other state are substantially equivalent to the licensing standards in Washington state.

(3) An endorsement applicant may also apply for a temporary practice permit as established under WAC 246-12-050.))An applicant may obtain licensure by endorsement if the applicant holds the national certification with the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) or the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) and meets all other requirements of RCW 18.130.077(3). The applicant shall submit to the department:

(a) An application on forms provided by the department;

(b) Proof of national certification;

(d) The appropriate licensing fees required under WAC 246-825-990(2).

(3) If an applicant does not meet the requirements described in subsection (1) or (2) of this section, the applicant shall apply for initial licensure as established under WAC 246-825-060.