DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Podiatric Medical Board)

[Filed August 27, 2025, 4:31 p.m.]

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 24-16-137.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Removing licensure barriers for podiatric physicians and surgeons.

The podiatric medical board (board) is proposing amendments to WAC 246-922-055 Reciprocity requirements, to modernize and clarify language that reduces licensure barriers for podiatric physicians and surgeons entering the Washington workforce. The board is proposing amendments that clarify reciprocity requirements and align the rule in order to comply with section 8 of 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023), codified as RCW 18.130.077.

Hearing Location(s): On October 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., at Department of Health, TC2, Room 153, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501; or virtually by registering via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_c0It5WddQIuoY6Y5bhkoIQ, Webinar ID 898 1421 7196. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Date of Intended Adoption: October 23, 2025.

Submit Written Comments to: Tommy Simpson III, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, email tommy.simpson@doh.wa.gov,https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, beginning the date and time of this filing, by October 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Tommy Simpson III, phone 564-669-8421, TTY 711, email tommy.simpson@doh.wa.gov, by October 13, 2025.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: RCW 18.130.077 requires that disciplining authorities review licensure requirements and remove barriers for entering in the Washington workforce. The objective of RCW 18.130.077 is to allow disciplining authorities to waive education, training, experience, and exam requirements for applicants who have been credentialed in another state or states with substantially equivalent standards.

The board reviewed WAC 246-922-055 and is proposing amendments that not only align the rule with RCW 18.130.077, but also restructure the rule to clearly lay out the requirements needed for out-of-state applicants entering the Washington workforce.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The intent of RCW 18.130.077 is to make disciplining authorities review and adjust licensure requirements to remove barriers to entering and remaining in the health care workforce, and to streamline and shorten the credentialing process.

The purpose of the proposed changes is to align the board's reciprocity requirements with RCW 18.130.077 and provide clear guidance for out-of-state applicants entering the Washington workforce. The board is proposing amendments that restructure WAC 246-922-055 so that the rule is clear, concise, and readable without changing the intent of the rule.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.22.015 and 18.130.077.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.130.077.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Podiatric medical board, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Tommy Simpson III, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 564-669-8421; Implementation and Enforcement: James Chaney, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-2831.

A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The proposed rule is exempt from a cost-benefit analysis under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(v) because the proposed rule is explicitly dictated by statute.

This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rule content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(4).

Explanation of exemptions: This rule only impacts the licensing of providers and not business.

Scope of exemption for rule proposal:

James Chaney, Executive Director

Podiatric Medical Board

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-14-089, filed 7/2/18, effective 8/2/18)

WAC 246-922-055Reciprocity requirements.

((An applicant licensed in another state must file with the secretary verification of the license certified by the proper authorities of the issuing state to include the issue date, license number, current expiration date, and whether any action has been taken to revoke, suspend, restrict, or otherwise sanction the licensee for unprofessional conduct or that the licensee may not be able to practice his or her profession with reasonable skill and safety to consumers as a result of a physical or mental condition. The applicant must document that the educational standards, eligibility requirements, and examinations of that state are substantially equivalent to those of this state.))(1) An applicant may qualify for licensure as a podiatric physician under this section if the applicant is currently licensed in a substantially equivalent state and meets the conditions listed under RCW 18.130.077(3).

(2) All applicants applying for licensure under this section must submit:

(a) A completed application on forms provided by the department; and

(b) The licensing fees required in WAC 246-922-990.

(3) If an applicant applying for licensure under this section meets the requirements in RCW 18.130.077(1), the board shall waive the education, training, experience, and exam requirements for the applicant.

(4) If an applicant does not meet the requirements described in subsection (1) or (2) of this section, the applicant shall apply for licensure under WAC 246-922-033.