Subject of Possible Rule Making: Midwifery licensure requirements; removing jurisprudence examination requirement. The department of health (department) is considering amendments to WAC 246-834-050 Examination requirements for licensure as a midwife, and 246-834-060 Initial application requirements for licensure as a midwife. The department is considering reducing barriers to enter the midwifery workforce and to streamline and shorten the credentialing process.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 2023, the legislature passed 2SHB 1724, codified as RCW 18.130.077, which requires disciplining authorities for credentialed professionals to waive education, training, experience, and exam requirements for applicants coming from other states with similar standards. The midwifery profession was not directly impacted because there are currently no states with licensing standards that are substantially equivalent to Washington. However, in alignment with the legislation to reduce licensing barriers, the department is considering removing the jurisprudence examination requirement for midwifery applicants to streamline and shorten the credentialing process. Rule making is necessary to amend examination requirements in WAC 246-834-050 and 246-834-060 to support reducing barriers to licensure.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kathy Weed, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4883, fax 360-236-2910, TTY 711, email kathy.weed@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The department will conduct a series of rules workshops. Rule-making notices will be delivered via the GovDelivery list. To receive notices, 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," and then click again on "Midwifery." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions or facilities listed to receive information related to that specific topic.