DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Occupational Therapy Practice Board)

[Filed December 16, 2025, 8:33 a.m., effective January 16, 2026]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: Occupational therapists; updating references to continuing competency hours. The occupational therapy practice board (board) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-847-055 and 246-847-067 to align references of required continuing competency hours throughout the chapter.

In 2025, the board adopted amendments to several sections in chapter 246-847 WAC to implement recently enacted law, RCW 18.130.077, addressing licensure requirement waivers for out-of-state and nationally certified applicants. One of the updates the board adopted was a change from 30 hours to 24 hours of continuing competency (CC) requirements to align with national standards.

During that rule making, WAC 246-847-055 and 246-847-067 were not included along with the other sections. The purpose of these adopted amendments is to align references of required CC hours in these sections with recent changes adopted in chapter 246-847 WAC.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-847-055 and 246-847-067.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.59.130.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-18-061 on August 28, 2025.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: December 16, 2025.

Ryan Wilson, OT, Chair

Occupational Therapy Board

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-09-032, filed 4/11/18, effective 8/1/18)

WAC 246-847-055Initial application for individuals who have never practiced occupational therapy.

(1) Any initial applicant must comply with the requirements for licensure as specified in chapters 18.59 RCW and 246-847 WAC.

(2) An initial applicant who graduated more than three years but less than five years from date of application and never practiced must comply with the requirements for licensure as specified in chapters 18.59 RCW and 246-847 WAC and submit proof to the department of:

(a) Completion of ((thirty))24 hours of continued competency as described in WAC 246-847-065 for the previous two-year period; and

(b) Completion of a board-approved reentry program((.));

(3) Initial applicants who graduated five or more years ago and never practiced must comply with the requirements for licensure as specified in chapters 18.59 RCW and 246-847 WAC and submit proof to the department of:

(a) Completion of ((thirty))24 hours of continued competency as described in WAC 246-847-065 for the previous two-year period; and

(b) Completion of a board-approved reentry program;

(i) Completion of extended course work preapproved by the board; or

(ii) Successfully retaking and passing the examinations specified in WAC 246-847-080((.));

(d) Completion of any additional requirements as required by the board.

(4) The applicant may be required to appear before the board for oral interview.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-01-102, filed 12/13/19, effective 5/15/20)

WAC 246-847-067Initial application for individuals who have an expired license in a different state and are seeking Washington licensure.

(1) An initial applicant with an expired license in a different state who has not practiced for less than three years must comply with the requirements for licensure as specified in chapter 18.59 RCW and this chapter.

(2) An initial applicant with an expired license in a different state who has not practiced for three or more years but less than five years from date of application must comply with the requirements for licensure as specified in chapter 18.59 RCW and this chapter and submit proof to the department of:

(a) Completion of ((thirty))24 hours of continued competency as described in WAC 246-847-065 for the previous two-year period; and

(b) Completion of any additional requirements as required by the board.

(3) An initial applicant with an expired license in a different state who has not practiced for five or more years from date of application must comply with the requirements for licensure as specified in chapter 18.59 RCW and this chapter and submit proof to the department of:

(a) Completion of ((thirty))24 hours of continued competency as described in WAC 246-847-065 for the previous two-year period;

(b) Completion of a board-approved reentry program; and

(i) Completion of extended course work preapproved by the board; or

(ii) Successfully retaking and passing the examinations specified in WAC 246-847-080((.));

(d) Completion of any additional requirements as required by the board.

(4) The applicant may be required to appear before the board for oral interview.