Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Naturopathic physician licensure fees; removing the jurisprudence exam fee from the naturopathic physician licensure fees in WAC 246-836-990. The department of health (department), in consultation with the board of naturopathy (board), is proposing removing the jurisprudence examination fee from rule to align with the recent changes to the naturopathic licensure requirements.

Hearing Location(s): On August 26, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., virtual via webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hPlawRliSruJkAWrQn-qMQ. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The department will be offering a virtual webinar hearing only. Individuals may attend virtually or submit comments in writing.

Submit Written Comments to: Heather Cantrell, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504-7850, email HSQAfeerules@doh.wa.gov, https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, beginning the date and time of this filing, by August 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: In February 2025, the board adopted amendments to WAC 246-836-020 and 246-836-040 that remove the jurisprudence exam as a requirement for initial licensure as a naturopathic physician and instead require the exam to maintain licensure. The purpose of the board's amendment was to align current rules with the licensure requirements in RCW 18.130.077 and remove barriers for incoming out-of-state applicants.

Additionally, the board made the decision to transition the exam from a paper format to only offer it in an electronic format, which comes at no cost to individuals who need to take the exam.

To align with the board's recent rule changes, the department is proposing to remove the jurisprudence exam fee from WAC 246-836-990 Naturopathic physician licensing fees and renewal cycle.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW 43.70.250 authorizes the department [to] establish fees associated with the licensing and regulation of professions. The purpose of this amendment is to align the fees with the boards recent rule changes related to the naturopathic physicians jurisprudence examination requirements.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Heather Cantrell, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4637; Implementation and Enforcement: James Chaney, 111 Israel Road S.W. [S.E.], Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-2831.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The department did not complete a cost-benefit analysis under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vi) exempts rules that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards.

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules set or adjust fees under the authority of RCW 19.02.075 or that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards, including fees set or adjusted under the authority of RCW 19.80.045.

Explanation of exemptions: Under RCW 19.85.025 and 34.05.310 (4)(f), a small business economic impact statement is not required for proposed rules that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards.

(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		Amount
Original application
	((State jurisprudence examination	$100.00))
	Initial state license	270.00
	UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)	16.00
License renewal
	Renewal	440.00
	Late renewal penalty	220.00
	Expired license reissuance	65.00
	UW online access fee (HEAL-WA)	16.00
Duplicate license		10.00
Verification of license		25.00
((State jurisprudence examination		100.00))

*	The University of Washington HEAL-WA web portal access fee, required under RCW 43.70.110, is assessed with the initial application fee and the license renewal fee.