Subject of Possible Rule Making: Continuing education (CE) and renewal requirements for dental hygienists. The department of health (department) in consultation with the dental hygiene examining committee (committee) is considering amending WAC 246-815-140 to clarify CE requirements when dental hygienists renew their license.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: CE must contribute to the professional knowledge and development of the licensed dental hygienists or enhance services provided to patients. The department routinely receives questions about what qualifies as acceptable CE. The amendments would provide additional clarification regarding approved subject matter and outline acceptable methods for completing CE, including hands-on, didactic, virtual, and self-study formats.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kitty Einert, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4843, TTY 711, email kitty.einert@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The department will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The department 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 doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to GovDelivery, please visit doh.wa.gov and select the "Sign up for Updates From DOH" button at the bottom of the page. After signing in, select "Health Systems Quality Assurance" and "Health Professions" and "Dental List," "Dental Therapist" and "Dental Hygiene Examining Committee." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions listed to receive information related to that specific profession.