The following definitions will be used throughout this WAC:

(1) "Purse" is defined as the sum of money or other compensation by way of guarantee, percentage or otherwise, paid to a boxer.

(2) "Knockdown" is defined as when a boxer is knocked to the ring canvas by fair blows, hangs helplessly on the ropes, or the ropes prevent ((his/her))their fall, or any part of the body other than the soles of the feet touches the ring canvas.

(3) The "outcome of a contest" occurs when the contest has concluded, a determination has been made described in WAC 36-12-130, and the report to the boxing registry required by the federal Boxing Safety Act of 1996 has been submitted.

(4) "Neutral corner" is defined as one of the two corners of a ring that are not assigned to a boxer for a contest.

(5) A "count" is the audible measure of time signaled by the referee to a boxer who has been knocked down.

(6) "Scorecard" is defined as the document used by judges to score a contest.

(7) "Ten-point-must system" of scoring is defined as the scoring system used by judges giving ((ten))10 points to the boxer winning a round and a lesser number of points to the boxer losing a round.

(8) "Foul" is defined as an action by a boxer, identified by the referee that does not meet the definition of "boxing" as described in RCW 67.08.002. Fouls may include, but are not limited to, the following types of contact or acts:

(a) Hitting, a low blow, below the navel or behind the ear;

(b) Hitting an opponent who is knocked down;

(d) Holding or deliberately maintaining a clinch;

(e) Wrestling, kicking or roughing;

(f) Pushing an opponent about the ring or into the ropes;

(g) Butting with the head, shoulder, knee, elbow;

(h) Hitting with the open glove, the butt or inside of the hand, or back of the hand, the elbow or the wrist;

(i) Purposely falling down onto the canvas of the ring without being hit or for the purpose of avoiding a blow;

(j) Striking deliberately at that part of the body over the kidneys;

(k) Using the pivot blow (pivoting while throwing a punch) or the rabbit punch (punches thrown to the back of the head and neck areas);

(l) Jabbing the eyes with the thumb of the glove;

(m) Use of abusive language;

(n) Unsportsmanlike conduct causing injury to an opponent that does not meet the definition of "boxing" in RCW 67.08.002;

(o) Hitting on the break;

(p) Intentionally spitting out the mouthpiece;

(q) Hitting on or out of the ropes;

(r) Holding rope and hitting;

(s) Biting/spitting;

(t) Not following referee's instructions;

(u) Stepping on opponent;

(v) Crouching below opponent's belt;

(w) Leaving neutral corner; and

(x) Corner second shouting.

(9) "Fair blow" is defined as a blow delivered with the padded knuckle part of the glove to the front or sides of the head and body above the navel.

(10) "Event official" is defined as an official licensed under RCW 67.08.100 as a judge, referee, timekeeper, event physician, inspector, or other officials deemed necessary, and appointed by the department to provide services at a boxing event.

(11) "Manager" is defined as a person licensed under RCW 67.08.100 who contracts with a boxer to receive compensation for service as an agent or representative.

(12) "Second" is defined as a person licensed under RCW 67.08.100 who assists a boxer during a contest.

(13) "Matchmaker" is defined as a person licensed under RCW 67.08.100 who works for a promoter to propose, select or arrange for boxers to participate in a boxing contest.

(14) "Announcer" is defined as a person licensed under RCW 67.08.100 who works for a promoter announcing information to the audience at a boxing event.

(15) "Referee" is defined as an event official and is the chief official supervising a boxing contest.

(16) "Timekeeper" is defined as an event official who keeps the official timing of a contest.

(17) "Judge" is defined as an event official who scores a boxing contest.

(18) "Inspector" is defined as the event official who reports directly to the department and provides overall management of a boxing event.

(19) "Advance notice" is defined as a list of matches for an event submitted by the promoter to the department for approval that includes the names of proposed boxers for a contest, ((his/her))their manager or managers and other information that may be required by the department.

(20) "Boxing registry" is defined as the entity certified by the Association of Boxing Commissions for the purposes of maintaining records and identification of boxers and required under the federal "Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996."

(21) "Contest" is defined as a fight scheduled between boxers appearing at an event.

(22) "Round" is defined as a two- or three-minute time period during which boxers compete in a boxing contest.

(23) "Net gate proceeds" is defined as the total dollar amount received from the face value of all tickets sold with complimentary tickets excluded.

(1) The referee's primary responsibility shall be to maintain the safety and welfare of the boxers at all times.

(2) Before starting a contest, the referee shall determine the name of the chief seconds for each boxer. The chief second shall be responsible for the conduct of the boxer's other seconds during the contest.

(3) The referee shall call boxers and their chief seconds into the ring at the beginning of each contest for instructions.

(4) The referee shall not allow any person other than the boxers and the event physician to enter the ring during a round.

(5) The referee shall inspect the boxers' bodies and gloves to make sure no substances have been applied to the detriment of an opponent.

(6) Referees who are event officials shall pass a physical examination by the event physician within ((twenty-four))24 hours prior to an event for the purpose of determining their physical ability to referee the contest. If such examination indicates the referee is physically unable to referee the contest, such inability shall be noted on the prefight physical form and immediately be reported to the inspector or department representative.

(7) The referee shall have the authority to stop a contest any time ((he/she))they think((s)) it is too one-sided, or if either boxer is in such condition that to continue might subject them to serious injury.

(8) The referee shall not make a disqualification decision based on one unintentional, low-blow foul. However, if two previous warnings for such fouls have resulted in point deductions, the third foul may be grounds for disqualification.

(9) The referee has authority to decide any matters that arise during a contest and are not covered by these rules.

(10) If a boxer receives an injury that the referee thinks shall incapacitate the boxer, the referee shall ask the event physician to examine the boxer. The event physician shall provide the referee with an opinion as to the seriousness of the injury and either the event physician or the referee shall stop the contest if the injury is serious. When a referee calls the event physician into the ring, the referee shall direct the timekeeper to cease keeping time while the event physician examines the boxer.

(11) The referee may penalize a boxer who fouls an opponent during a contest, by charging such boxer with the loss of points. The referee shall immediately notify the judges of the number of points to be deducted.

(12) The referee shall stop the contest if the boxer's chief second determines that a contest should be stopped, and immediately signals the referee by stepping onto the ring apron.

(13) When a boxer resumes boxing after having been knocked down or fallen or slipped to the floor, the referee shall wipe all foreign material from the boxer's gloves.

(14) The referee shall give a boxer injured by a low-blow foul up to five minutes to recover. Should the boxer be unable to continue at the end of the recovery period, the referee shall declare that the boxer has signaled ((his/her))their desire to stop boxing as described in WAC 36-12-130 (1)(b)(iv).

(15) Prior to an event, each referee shall disclose to the department all considerations, including reimbursement for expenses that will be received from any source for participation in the event. The disclosure shall be made on a form supplied by the department.

(16) A decision rendered at the termination of any contest may be changed by the department if the department determines that one of the following occurred:

(a) There was collusion affecting the result of any contest;

(b) The compilation of the scorecard of the judges shows an error which would mean that the decision was given to the wrong contestant; or

(1) If a referee stops a contest, ((he))they shall render a decision regarding the outcome of the contest as follows:

(a) Win by knockout if:

(i) Boxer has been knocked down by fair blows and cannot arise before completion of the referee's count; or

(ii) Boxer has been knocked down and the referee waves off the count because of urgency to have the event physician examine the boxer.

(b) Win by technical knockout if:

(i) In the referee's judgment, boxer is outclassed or is unable to continue due to punishment received;

(ii) Boxer does not resume boxing by the end of a referee's count (excluding knockouts);

(iii) Corner man signals referee to terminate the bout; or

(iv) Boxer, after putting forth good effort, signals referee ((his/her))their desire to stop boxing.

A bout is stopped after the completion of three rounds in bouts scheduled for four rounds and after four rounds in bouts scheduled for more than four rounds due to an accidental head butt or foul causing an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately. At least two of the judges must have the same boxer ahead on points.

(d) No decision if:

A bout is stopped before the completion of three rounds in bouts scheduled for four rounds and before four rounds in bouts scheduled for more than four rounds due to an accidental head butt or foul causing an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately; or

(e) Technical draw if:

A bout is stopped after the completion of three rounds in bouts scheduled for four rounds and after four rounds in bouts scheduled for more than four rounds due to an accidental head butt or foul causing an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately and the judges are split (one voting for boxer A, one voting for boxer B, and the third judge with an even score); or

(f) No contest if:

(i) The bout is unable to continue due to events other than boxing (fire, riot, ring collapse, etc.); or

(ii) In the referee's judgment, there appears to be collusion affecting the outcome of the contest.

(g) Disqualification:

(i) If points have been deducted from a boxer's scorecard for three separate incidents as described in WAC 36-12-110(11);

(ii) If a boxer, in the referee's judgment, flagrantly fouls an opponent;

(iii) If a boxer quits after putting forth no effort, thereby fostering a sham on the public;

(iv) Second enters the ring during the progress of the bout; or

(v) Following a contest, a boxer tests positive for controlled substances per WAC 36-12-240.

(2) If a contest ends when the scheduled rounds are completed, the outcome of the contest may be as follows:

(a) Winner by unanimous decision if all three judges agree on the same winner;

(b) Winner by split decision if two judges agree on winner and the third judge votes for the other boxer;

(d) A draw if all three judges have the score even between the boxers or are split (one voting for boxer A, one voting for boxer B, and the third judge with an even score); or

(e) A majority draw if two of the judges agree that the score is even between the boxers.

(1) The referee shall give an injured boxer a count of eight when a knockdown occurs. The referee does not have to continue to count if in the referee's opinion a boxer is unable to continue to box. The referee shall resume a count where it was left off if a boxer attempts to rise after being knocked down and goes down again immediately.

(2) When the referee determines a boxer has been knocked down, the referee shall require the boxers to cease boxing during the count. If the boxer rises prior to, or when the count is completed, the referee shall determine whether the boxer's reflexes and condition render it appropriate to continue the contest.

(3) If a boxer does not rise when the count of eight is completed, the referee shall continue the count to ((ten))10 seconds.

(4) If the boxer being given a count by the referee is down on the canvas of the ring when the referee completes counting to ((ten))10 seconds, the referee shall wave both arms to indicate that the boxer has been knocked out and shall stop the contest. The referee may raise the hand of the opponent indicating that the opponent has won by a knockout.

(5) The referee's counting of seconds is the official count. However, when a boxer is knocked down, the timekeeper shall assist with starting and maintaining an accurate count by striking the edge of the ring platform once each second with a hammer or other equipment or signaling method.

(6) When a boxer is knocked down, the referee shall direct the opponent to move to the farthest neutral corner of the ring. If the opponent leaves the neutral corner, the referee shall interrupt the count and will not resume the count until the opponent returns to the neutral corner.

(7) If a boxer is knocked down and the referee is still counting when three minutes of a round has elapsed, the bell shall not be sounded until the knocked down boxer rises and the referee indicates that the contest will continue. A boxer cannot be saved by the bell at the end of any round.

(8) If both boxers score simultaneous knockdowns (double knockdown), the referee shall begin a count as in any knockdown. If one contestant does not rise before the count of ((ten))10, ((his))their opponent shall be declared the winner. If both contestants rise before completion of the count, the bout may continue at the discretion of the referee. If both contestants rise but neither can continue as determined by the referee and/or event physician, the winner will be determined by the scorecards. If both boxers remain down until the count of ((ten))10, the bout must be stopped and the decision is a technical draw.

(1) A boxer whose manager has been suspended under chapter 67.08 RCW may continue boxing during the term of such suspension, signing ((his/her))their own boxer/promoter contract.

(2) Boxers scheduled for a contest shall sign a letter of agreement with the department accepting temporary suspension of their license if they receive an injury during the contest. The schedule for suspensions is:

(a) Thirty days for a technical knockout;

(b) Sixty days for a knockout;

(c) A period of time different than (a) and (b) of this subsection if serious injury or condition is detected by the event physician during the post fight physical; and

(d) A period of time or an indefinite period of time if serious injury or condition is detected by the event physician. If the suspension is for an indefinite period of time, the boxer may not box again without an examination completed by a physician who has provided written certification to the department that the medical condition no longer exists.

(3) If at any time a boxer's ability to perform is questionable, whether for reasons of health, mental condition, or no longer possessing the ability to compete or for any other reason, the department may recommend that the boxer be retired from further competition.

(4) Boxers who have been recommended for retirement have a right to a hearing under chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedure Act.

(1) Dangerous conduct; punishment. The referee shall not permit physically dangerous conduct or tactics by any participant. Any participant who fails to discontinue such tactics, after being warned by the referee or a department official shall be disqualified and subject to disciplinary action.

(2) Participants or other licensees shall not engage in the practice known as "juicing." "Juicing" is the practice of using a razor blade or similar contrivance, or any other means to draw blood from oneself, one's opponent, or from any other participant of the wrestling exhibition or show. The referee shall immediately terminate any match in which blood from a participant appears from "juicing," and the participants shall cease the wrestling match and return to the dressing room. Should an accidental cut to a participant occur, the match may continue but should be concluded as soon as possible at the discretion of the referee.

(3) Duties of licensees. It shall be the duty of the promoter and/or theatrical wrestling school, ((his/her))their agents, employees, and the participants in any wrestling show or exhibition to maintain peace and order in the conduct of any show or exhibition. There shall be no abuse of a department official at any time.

(4) The promoter and/or theatrical wrestling school:

(a) Shall be directly responsible to the department for the conduct of its employees and any violation of the laws, rules, or regulations of the department by any employee of a promoter and/or theatrical wrestling school shall be deemed to be a violation by the promoter and/or theatrical wrestling school.

(b) Are responsible for any violations of the law or department rules by their participants.

(c) Shall provide an ambulance or paramedical unit with transport and resuscitation capabilities, with a minimum of two attendants, to be present at the event location at all times during the event. A theatrical wrestling school may satisfy this requirement by having an emergency medical technician, as required under RCW 67.08.330, at the event location at all times during the event.

(5) Discrimination. Discrimination against any participant in regard to sex, race, color, creed, or national origin shall be referred to the human rights commission.

(6) Appeals.

(a) Licensees may appeal any suspension or revocation to the department in the manner provided in chapter 34.05 RCW.

(b) Such appeals must be received in the department office within ((twenty))20 days from the date of the notice sent by the department.

(7) Theatrical wrestling schools:

(a) Must notify the department in writing ((fourteen))14 days prior to holding an off-site event. The notice must include the location, date, and time of the event.

(b) Must maintain a list all participants' names who performed in each event for a minimum of three years and be available at the request of the department.

The following definition(s) will be used throughout this WAC:

"Advance notice" is defined as a list of matches for an event submitted by the promoter to the department for approval that includes the names of proposed participants for a contest, ((his/her))their manager or managers and other information that may be required by the department.

"Announcer" is defined as a person licensed under RCW 67.08.100 who works for a promoter announcing information to the audience at an event.

"Contest" is defined as a fight scheduled between participants appearing at an event.

"Event official" is defined as an official licensed under RCW 67.08.100 as a judge, referee, timekeeper, event physician, inspector, or other officials deemed necessary, and appointed by the department to provide services at an event.

"Inspector" is defined as the event official who reports directly to the department and provides overall management of an event.

"Judge" is defined as an event official who scores a contest.

"Manager" is defined as a person licensed under RCW 67.08.100 who contracts with a participant to receive compensation for service as an agent or representative.

"Matchmaker" is defined as a person licensed under RCW 67.08.100 who works for a promoter to propose, select or arrange for participants to participate in an event.

"Mixed martial arts" in addition to RCW 67.08.002(20), mixed martial arts does not include muay thai and kickboxing.

"Net gate proceeds" is defined as the total dollar amount received from the face value of all tickets sold with complementary tickets excluded.

"Neutral corner" is defined as one of the corners that are not assigned to a martial arts participant for a contest.

"Outcome of a contest" occurs when the contest has concluded, a determination has been made described in WAC 36-14-355, and the report to the martial arts registry has been submitted.

"Purse" is defined as the sum of money or other compensation by way of guarantee, percentage or otherwise, paid to a participant.

"Referee" is defined as an event official and is the chief official supervising a contest.

"Round" is defined as a three- or five-minute time period during which participants compete in a contest.

"Scorecard" is defined as the document used by judges to score a contest.

"Second" is defined as a person licensed under RCW 67.08.100 who assists a participant during a contest.

"Ten-point-must system" of scoring is defined as the scoring system used by judges giving ((ten))10 points to the participant winning a round and a lesser number of points to the participant losing a round.

"Timekeeper" is defined as an event official who keeps the official timing of a contest.

"Training facility" is a location licensed and defined under chapter 67.08 RCW to hold amateur mixed martial arts exhibitions in that location.

(1) All participants shall be required to gauze and tape their hands prior to all contests. In all weight classes, the bandages on each contestant's hand shall be restricted to soft gauze cloth not more than ((fifteen))15 yards in length and two inches in width, held in place by not more than ((ten))10 feet of surgeon's tape, one inch in width, for each hand. Surgeon's adhesive tape shall be placed directly on each hand for protection near the wrist. However, as opposed to boxing wraps, the tape may cross the back of the hand twice and extend to cover and protect the knuckles, but not over the knuckles, when the hand is clenched to make a fist. The bandages shall be evenly distributed across the hand. Bandages and tape shall be placed on the contestant's hands in the dressing room in the presence of the referee, inspector, or department representative and, if warranted, in the presence of the manager or chief second of ((his/her))their opponent.

(2) Under no circumstances are gloves to be placed on the hands of a participant until the approval of the referee, inspector, or department representative is received.

(3) Substances other than tape and gauze shall not be utilized. For example, prewraps shall not be used.

(4) Liquids or other materials shall not be used on the tape or gauze.

(5) The referee, inspector, or department representative shall inspect and sign the hand-wraps.

(6) The referee, inspector, or department representative shall inspect and sign off on the gloves after wraps.

(1) The referee's primary responsibility shall be to maintain the safety and welfare of the participants at all times.

(2) Before starting a contest, the referee shall determine the name of the chief seconds for each participant. The chief second shall be responsible for the conduct of the participant's other seconds during the contest.

(3) The referee shall not allow any person other than the participant and the event physician to enter the ring during a round.

(4) The referee shall inspect the participants' bodies and gloves to make sure no substances have been applied to the detriment of an opponent.

(5) Referees who are event officials shall pass a physical examination by the event physician within ((twenty-four))24 hours prior to an event for the purpose of determining their physical ability to referee the contest. If such examination indicates the referee is physically unable to referee the contest, such inability shall be noted on the prefight physical form and immediately be reported to the inspector or department representative.

(6) The referee shall have the authority to stop a contest any time ((he/she thinks))they think it is too one-sided, or if either participant is in such condition that to continue might subject them to serious injury.

(7) The referee shall not make a disqualification decision based on one unintentional, low-blow foul. However, if two previous warnings for such fouls have resulted in point deductions, the third foul may be grounds for disqualification.

(8) The referee has authority to decide any matters that arise during a contest and are not covered by these rules.

(9) If a participant receives an injury that the referee thinks shall incapacitate the participant, the referee shall ask the event physician to examine the participant. The event physician shall provide the referee with an opinion as to the seriousness of the injury and either the event physician or the referee shall stop the contest if the injury is serious. When a referee calls the event physician into the ring, the referee shall direct the timekeeper to cease keeping time while the event physician examines the participant.

(10) The referee may penalize a participant who fouls an opponent during a contest, by charging such participant with the loss of points. The referee shall immediately notify the judges of the number of points to be deducted.

(11) The referee shall stop the contest if the participant's chief second determines that a contest should be stopped, and immediately signals the referee by stepping onto the ring apron, or top step of the cage.

(12) Prior to an event, each referee shall disclose to the department all considerations, including reimbursement for expenses that will be received from any source for participation in the event. The disclosure shall be made on a form supplied by the department.

(13) A decision rendered at the termination of any contest may be changed by the department if the department determines that one of the following occurred:

(a) There was collusion affecting the result of any contest;

(b) The compilation of the scorecard of the judges shows an error which would mean that the decision was given to the wrong contestant; or

(1) A participant who has been struck with a low blow is allowed up to five minutes to recover from the foul as long as in the ringside doctor's opinion the participant may continue in the contest. If the participant states they can continue on before the five minutes of time have expired, the referee shall as soon as practical restart the fight. If the participant goes over the five minute time allotment, the fight cannot be restarted and the contest must come to an end with the outcome determined by the round and time in which the fight was stopped.

(2) If a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts is stopped because of an accidental foul, the referee shall determine whether the participant who has been fouled can continue or not. If the participant's chance of winning has not been seriously jeopardized as a result of the foul and if the foul did not involve a concussive impact to the head of the participant who has been fouled, the referee may order the contest or exhibition continued after a recuperative interval of not more than five minutes. Immediately after separating the participants, the referee shall inform the department's representative of ((his/her))their determination that the foul was accidental.

(3) If a participant is fouled by a blow the referee deems illegal the referee should stop the action and call for time. The referee may take the injured participant to the ringside physician and have the ringside physician examine the participant as to their ability to continue on in the contest. The ringside physician has up to five minutes to make their determination. If the ringside physician determines that the participant can continue in the contest, the referee shall as soon as practical restart the fight. However, unlike the low blow foul rule, the participant does not have up to five minutes of time to use at their discretion.

(4) For a foul other than a low blow, the fouled participant is not guaranteed five minutes of recovery time. If deemed not fit to continue by the referee or ringside physician, the referee must immediately call a halt to the bout. If the participant is deemed not fit to continue by the referee or ringside physician but some of the five minute foul time is still remaining, the participant cannot avail ((himself))themselves of the remaining time.

(5) If the referee stops the contest and employs the use of the ringside physician, the ringside physician's examination shall not exceed five minutes. If five minutes is exceeded, the fight cannot be restarted and the contest must end.

(1) Submission by:

(a) Tap out: When a contestant physically uses ((his/her))their hand to indicate that ((he or she))they no longer ((wishes))wish to continue; or

(b) Verbal tap out: When a contestant verbally announces to the referee that ((he or she does))they do not wish to continue or makes audible sounds such as screams indicating pain or discomfort.

(2) Technical knockout if:

(a) Referee stops bout;

(b) Ringside physician stops bout;

(d) Cornerman signals referee to terminate the bout; or

(e) Participant, after putting forth good effort, signals referee ((his/her))their desire to stop fighting.

(3) Knockout by: Failure to rise from the canvas;

(4) Decision via score cards:

(a) Unanimous decision: When all three judges score the bout for the same contestant;

(b) Split decision: When two judges score the bout for one contestant and one judge scores for the opponent; or

(d) Draws:

(i) Unanimous draw - When all three judges score the bout a draw;

(ii) Majority draw - When two judges score the bout a draw; or

(iii) Split draw - When all three judges score differently and the score total results in a draw.

(5) Disqualification if:

(a) An injury sustained during competition as a result of an intentional foul is severe enough to terminate the contest;

(b) A participant quits after putting forth no effort, thereby fostering a sham on the public;

(6) Technical decision if: A bout is stopped after the completion of two rounds in bouts scheduled for three rounds and after three rounds in bouts scheduled for five rounds due to an accidental head butt or foul causing an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately. At least two of the judges must have the same contestant ahead on points;

(7) Technical draw if: A bout is stopped after the completion of two rounds in bouts scheduled for three rounds and after three rounds in bouts scheduled for five rounds due to an accidental head butt or foul causing an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately and the judges are split (one voting for participant A, one voting for participant B, and the third judge with an even score);

(8) No decision if: A bout is stopped before the completion of two rounds in bouts scheduled for three rounds and before three rounds in bouts scheduled for five rounds due to an accidental head butt or foul causing an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately;

(9) No contest if:

(a) The bout is unable to continue due to events other than fighting (fire, riot, ring collapse, etc.); or

(b) In the referee's judgment, there appears to be collusion affecting the outcome of the contest.

(1) A participant whose manager has been suspended under chapter 67.08 RCW may continue participating during the term of such suspension, signing ((his/her))their own participant/promoter contract.

(2) Participants scheduled for a contest shall sign a letter of agreement with the department accepting temporary suspension of their license if they receive an injury during the contest. The schedule for suspensions is:

(a) Thirty days for a technical knockout;

(b) Sixty days for a knockout;

(c) A period of time different than (a) and (b) of this subsection if serious injury or condition is detected by the event physician during the postfight physical; and

(d) A period of time or an indefinite period of time if serious injury or condition is detected by the event physician. If the suspension is for an indefinite period of time, the participant may not compete again without an examination completed by a physician who has provided written certification to the department that the medical condition no longer exists.

(3) If at any time a participant's ability to perform is questionable, whether for reasons of health, mental condition, or no longer possessing the ability to compete or for any other reason, the department may recommend that the participant be retired from further competition.

(4) Participants who have been recommended for retirement have a right to a hearing under chapter 34.05 RCW, Administrative Procedure Act.