Subject of Possible Rule Making: Continuing education requirements for osteopathic physicians. The board of osteopathic medicine and surgery (board) is considering amending WAC 246-853-080 to update the osteopathic physician continuing education (CE) requirements and specify that a maintenance of a certification program may satisfy CE requirements.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board recently received an inquiry regarding whether "maintenance of certification" would satisfy the certification requirements listed in WAC 246-853-080 (2)(a) as a pathway to meet CE requirements for licensure renewal for osteopathic physicians. The current rule language states that certification or recertification with the American Board of Medical Specialties or American Board of Osteopathic Medical Specialties within the past six years may meet the CE requirements, but does not include participation in a maintenance of certification program. Maintenance of certification is an ongoing assessment process offered by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Board of Osteopathic Medical Specialties as an alternative to the traditional recertification process, which typically requires an exam at regular intervals. Both require maintenance of an active license and completion of CE. The board discussed this question at a business meeting and determined that it may meet the requirements.

The CE rule for the Washington medical commission (WMC) specifies that CE requirements may be satisfied by maintenance of certification. The board works to remain consistent with WMC, as osteopathic physicians and allopathic physicians regularly provide care in the same settings. Maintaining consistency with WMC makes rules easier to apply standards in the complex health care regulatory environment and for licensees to follow.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Becky McElhiney, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4766, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email osteopathic@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov/osteo.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The board will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The board will use existing GovDelivery lists and other known contact information to inform interested parties of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To find out more information about our rule making, visit www.doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to GovDelivery, please visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new?topic_id=WADOH_153. After signing in, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health professions" and then check "Osteopathic Board."