WSR 24-24-026
EXPEDITED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
[Filed November 22, 2024, 4:41 p.m.]
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Increasing the Washington physician health program (WPHP) surcharge assessed to physicians, physician assistants, osteopathic physicians, podiatric physicians, dentists, and veterinarians, and correcting the HEAL-WA fee for speech-language pathologists.
The department of health (department) is proposing amendments to WAC 246-817-990, 246-853-990, 246-918-990, 246-919-990, 246-922-990, and 246-933-990 to update fee changes made by HB 1972 (chapter 15, Laws of 2024), codified in RCW 18.71.310, 18.71A.020, 18.57.015, 18.22.250, 18.32.534, and 18.92.047. The department is also proposing to correct an error in the fee table in WAC 246-828-990 to ensure it accurately reflects the fees that are being charged for the speech-language pathologist inactive license.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: HB 1972 increased the surcharge that supports the WPHP for physicians, physician assistants, osteopathic physicians, podiatric physicians, dentists, and veterinarians. With the exception of dentists, the increase was effective June 6, 2024. The increase for dentists will be effective January 1, 2026. WPHP is supported by a license surcharge contributed by each of the health professions contracted with WPHP. The increase in the surcharge is needed to keep up with the cost of administering the program.
In 2013, the department amended WAC 246-828-990 and added an annual surcharge to speech-language pathologist license types to support the University of Washington's Health Evidence Resource for Washington State (HEAL-WA) online resource library, as required by RCW 43.70.110. The department filed WSR 13-21-077, which added the HEAL-WA surcharge to the initial license and renewal for speech-language pathologists. However, the HEAL-WA surcharge was mistakenly left out of WAC 246-828-990 for the inactive license. In practice, the department has been charging the HEAL-WA surcharge for speech-language pathologist inactive licenses, which has led to confusion amongst those seeking an inactive license regarding the amount they owe. The department is proposing rule making to correct this error by including the HEAL-WA surcharge in the rule language for the inactive speech-language pathologist license.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed amendments will align the rules with statutory changes that increase the WPHP surcharge fee assessed to physicians, physician assistants, osteopathic physicians, podiatric physicians, dentists, and veterinarians.
The proposed amendments to WAC 246-828-990 will ensure that the section accurately reflects the fees charged for each license type, avoid confusion regarding the correct surcharge amount for the inactive license, and promote transparency in the licensing process.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.71.310, 18.71A.020, 18.57.015, 18.22.250, 18.32.534, 18.92.047, and 43.70.110.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.71.310, 18.71A.020, 18.57.015, 18.22.250, 18.32.534, 18.92.047, and 43.70.110.     
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of health, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Heather Cantrell, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4637; Implementation: Shawna Fox, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4700; and Enforcement: Blake Maresh, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4700.
This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:
Content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.
Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: The expedited rule-making process is appropriate because the proposed amendments align the rules with the statute. It is necessary to implement the legislation appropriately.
NOTICE
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Heather Cantrell, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504-7850, phone 360-236-4637, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview/, HSQAfeerules@doh.wa.gov, BEGINNING date and time of this filing, AND RECEIVED BY February 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.     
November 22, 2024
Kristin Peterson, JD
Chief of Policy
for Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH
Secretary of Health
OTS-5795.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-07-057, filed 3/9/23, effective 6/1/23)
WAC 246-817-990Dentist fees and renewal cycle.
(1) Licenses must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, except faculty and resident licenses.
(2) Faculty and resident licenses must be renewed every year on July 1 as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC.
(3) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged:
 
Title of Fee
Fee through December 31, 2025
Fee on and after January 1, 2026
 
 
Original application by examination*
 
 
 
 
 
 
Initial application
$500.00
 
$500.00
 
 
 
Original application - Without examination
 
 
 
 
 
 
Initial application
500.00
 
500.00
 
 
 
Initial license
500.00
 
500.00
 
 
 
Faculty license application
500.00
 
500.00
 
 
 
Resident license application
115.00
 
115.00
 
 
 
Active license renewal((:))
 
 
 
 
 
 
Renewal
365.00
 
365.00
 
 
 
Surcharge - Impaired dentist
50.00
 
70.00
 
 
 
Late renewal penalty
185.00
 
185.00
 
 
 
Expired license reissuance
300.00
 
300.00
 
 
 
Inactive license renewal((:))
 
 
 
 
 
 
Renewal
125.00
 
125.00
 
 
 
Surcharge - Impaired dentist
50.00
 
70.00
 
 
 
Late renewal penalty
50.00
 
50.00
 
 
 
Retired active license renewal
 
 
 
 
 
 
Renewal
150.00
 
150.00
 
 
 
Surcharge - Impaired dentist
50.00
 
70.00
 
 
 
Late renewal penalty
75.00
 
75.00
 
 
 
Duplicate license
15.00
 
15.00
 
 
 
Certification of license
25.00
 
25.00
 
 
 
Anesthesia permit
 
 
 
 
 
 
Initial application
150.00
 
150.00
 
 
 
Renewal - (Three-year renewal cycle)
160.00
 
160.00
 
 
 
Late renewal penalty
80.00
 
80.00
 
 
 
Expired permit reissuance
50.00
 
50.00
 
 
 
On-site inspection fee
 
To be determined by future rule adoption.
To be determined by future rule adoption.
 
 
*
In addition to the initial application fee above, applicants for licensure via examination will be required to submit a separate application and examination fee directly to the dental testing agency accepted by the dental quality assurance commission.
 
OTS-5772.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-07-057, filed 3/9/23, effective 6/1/23)
WAC 246-828-990Hearing aid specialist, audiologist, speech-language pathologist, and speech-language pathology assistant fees and renewal cycle.
(1) Credentials must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday as provided in WAC 246-12-030.
(2) Practitioners must pay the following nonrefundable fees:
Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist
 
Fee Type:
Fee
Interim permit
 
 
 
Application
$165.00
 
 
Permit
140.00
 
Initial license
 
 
 
Application and license
175.00
 
 
HEAL-WA* surcharge
16.00
 
Active license renewal
 
 
 
Renewal
45.00
 
 
Late renewal penalty
45.00
 
 
HEAL-WA* surcharge
16.00
 
 
Expired license reissuance
140.00
 
Inactive license
 
 
 
Renewal
60.00
 
 
HEAL-WA* surcharge
16.00
 
 
Expired license reissuance
90.00
 
Verification of license
25.00
 
Duplicate license
10.00
 
* Surcharge applies to speech-language pathologists only. HEAL-WA is the health resources for Washington online library. See RCW 43.70.110.
Hearing Aid Specialist
 
Fee Type:
Fee
Initial license
 
 
 
Application and license
$175.00
 
Hearing aid specialist practical exam for Washington hearing society applicants
350.00
 
Active license renewal
 
 
 
Renewal
45.00
 
 
Late renewal penalty
45.00
 
 
Expired license reissuance
136.00
 
Inactive license renewal
 
 
 
Renewal
56.00
 
 
Expired license reissuance
86.00
 
Verification of license
25.00
 
Duplicate license
10.00
 
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
 
Fee Type:
Fee
Initial credential
 
 
 
Application
$55.00
 
Active credential renewal
 
 
 
Renewal
15.00
 
 
Late renewal penalty
15.00
 
 
Expired credential reissuance
50.00
 
Inactive credential renewal
 
 
 
Renewal
50.00
 
 
Expired credential reissuance
50.00
 
Verification of credential
25.00
 
Duplicate credential
10.00
 
OTS-5785.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-14-032, filed 6/25/24, effective 7/26/24)
WAC 246-853-990Osteopathic fees and renewal cycle.
(1) Licenses must be renewed every year on the physician's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, except postgraduate training limited licenses.
(2) Postgraduate training limited licenses must be renewed every year to correspond to program dates.
(3) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged for osteopathic physicians:
Title of Fee
Fee
Original application
 
 
Endorsement application
$375.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
Active license renewal
 
 
Renewal
375.00
 
Late renewal penalty
190.00
 
Expired license reissuance
250.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Substance use disorder monitoring surcharge
((50.00))70.00
Inactive license renewal
 
 
Renewal
310.00
 
Expired license reissuance
225.00
 
Late renewal penalty
155.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Substance use disorder monitoring surcharge
((50.00))70.00
Retired active license renewal
 
 
Renewal
195.00
 
Late renewal penalty
100.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Substance use disorder monitoring surcharge
((50.00))70.00
Endorsement/state exam application
500.00
Reexam
100.00
Verification of license
50.00
Limited license
 
 
Application
285.00
 
Renewal
265.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Substance use disorder monitoring surcharge
((50.00))70.00
Temporary permit application
70.00
Duplicate certificate
20.00
OTS-5786.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 19-21-052, filed 10/10/19, effective 2/1/20)
WAC 246-918-990Physician assistants fees and renewal cycle.
(1) Licenses must be renewed every two years on the practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.
(2) The applicant or licensee must pay the following nonrefundable fees:
Title of Fee
Fee
Physician assistants:
Original application
 
 
Application
$50.00
 
UW HEAL-WA surcharge*
16.00
 
Washington physician health program surcharge
((50.00))70.00
Active license renewal
 
 
Two-year renewal
247.00
 
UW HEAL-WA surcharge*
32.00
 
Washington physician health program surcharge*
((100.00))140.00
 
Late renewal fee
124.00
 
Expired license reissuance
50.00
Retired active license renewal
 
 
Two-year renewal
35.00
 
Washington physician health program surcharge*
((100.00))140.00
 
Late renewal fee
35.00
Duplicate license
15.00
*
The Washington physician health program surcharge (RCW 18.71A.020(3)) is assessed at $((50.00))70.00 per year, and the University of Washington (UW) HEAL-WA web portal access fee (RCW 43.70.110) assessed at $16.00 per year.
**
The Washington physician health program surcharge is assessed at $((50.00))70.00 per year.
OTS-5787.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 19-21-052, filed 10/10/19, effective 2/1/20)
WAC 246-919-990Physician and surgeon fees and renewal cycle.
(1) Licenses must be renewed every two years on the practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2, except postgraduate training limited licenses.
(2) Postgraduate training limited licenses must be renewed every year to correspond to the program's date.
(3) A retired active physician who resides and practices in Washington and obtains or renews a retired active license is exempt from all licensing fees except for the impaired physician program surcharge authorized by RCW 18.71.310.
(4) The applicants and licensees must pay the following nonrefundable fees:
Title of Fee
Fee
Original application
 
 
Application
$425.00
 
UW HEAL-WA surcharge*
16.00
 
Washington physician health program surcharge*
((50.00))70.00
Active license renewal
 
 
Two-year renewal
824.00
 
UW HEAL-WA surcharge*
32.00
 
Washington physician health program surcharge*
((100.00))140.00
 
Late renewal penalty
300.00
 
Expired license reissuance
262.50
Retired active license renewal
(resides and practices in-state per RCW 18.71.080 and 18.130.250)
 
 
Two-year renewal
(only includes Washington physician health program surcharge)**
((100.00))140.00
Retired active license renewal
(does not meet in-state exemption)
 
 
Two-year renewal
200.00
 
UW HEAL-WA surcharge*
32.00
 
Washington physician health program surcharge*
((100.00))140.00
 
Late renewal penalty
100.00
Verification of license
50.00
Duplicate license
15.00
Temporary permit
50.00
Transitioning from postgraduate training limited license
 
 
Application fee
100.00
 
UW HEAL-WA surcharge*
16.00
 
Washington physician health program surcharge*
((50.00))70.00
Postgraduate limited license: RCW 18.71.095
(One-year cycle)
 
Original application
 
 
Application
325.00
 
UW HEAL-WA surcharge*
16.00
 
Washington physician health program surcharge*
((50.00))70.00
Limited license renewal
(One-year cycle)
 
 
Renewal
325.00
 
UW HEAL-WA surcharge*
16.00
 
Washington physician health program surcharge*
((50.00))70.00
 
Limited duplicate license
15.00
*
The Washington physician health program surcharge (RCW 18.71.310(2)) is assessed at $((50.00))70.00 per year, and the University of Washington (UW) HEAL-WA web portal access fee (RCW 43.70.110) is assessed at $16.00 per year.
OTS-5788.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 17-22-051, filed 10/25/17, effective 2/1/18)
WAC 246-922-990Podiatry fees and renewal cycle.
(1) Licenses must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2, except for postgraduate training limited licenses.
(2) Postgraduate training limited licenses must be renewed every year to correspond to program dates.
(3) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged:
Title of Fee
Fee
Original application
 
 
Application
$650.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Substance ((abuse))use disorder monitoring surcharge
((50.00))70.00
Active license renewal
 
 
Renewal
650.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Substance ((abuse))use disorder monitoring surcharge
((50.00))70.00
 
Late renewal penalty
300.00
 
Expired license reissuance
300.00
Inactive license renewal
 
 
Renewal
175.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Substance ((abuse))use disorder monitoring surcharge
((50.00))70.00
 
Late renewal penalty
90.00
 
Expired license reissuance
70.00
Retired active license renewal
 
 
Renewal
275.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Substance ((abuse))use disorder monitoring surcharge
((50.00))70.00
 
Late renewal penalty
140.00
Postgraduate training license application
 
 
Application
400.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
Postgraduate training license renewal
 
 
Renewal
475.00
 
UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Substance ((abuse))use disorder monitoring surcharge
((50.00))70.00
Temporary practice permit
50.00
Duplicate license
10.00
Verification of license
25.00
OTS-5789.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-08-066, filed 3/26/20, effective 7/1/20)
WAC 246-933-990Veterinarian fees and renewal cycle.
(1) Licenses must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.
(2) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged:
Title of Fee
Fee
Initial state license
 
 
State jurisprudence examination (initial or retake)
$210.00
 
Application
145.00
 
UW online access surcharge (HEAL-WA)
16.00
Initial specialty license
 
 
Application
140.00
 
UW online access surcharge (HEAL-WA)
16.00
Temporary permit
215.00
State or specialty license renewal
 
 
Renewal
160.00
 
Impaired veterinarian assessment
((25.00))35.00
 
UW online access surcharge (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Late renewal penalty
80.00
 
Expired license reissuance
90.00
Retired active license and renewal
 
 
Renewal
70.00
 
Impaired veterinarian assessment
((25.00))35.00
 
UW online access surcharge (HEAL-WA)
16.00
 
Late renewal penalty
50.00
Duplicate license
10.00
Verification of license
25.00