Subject of Possible Rule Making: Pharmacy personnel examinations and procedures. The pharmacy quality assurance commission (commission) is considering amending WAC 246-945-165 and 246-945-205 and adopting new section(s) in chapter 246-945 WAC to establish commission-approved examinations for pharmacy technicians and pharmacists and the process for reexamination as required by RCW 18.64.080(2).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission is undergoing a process to replace policy, procedure, and guidance documents with rules where possible. Two policy statements, P014.2 titled "Commission Approved Examinations and WAC 246-945-165 and 246-945-205" and 40 titled "Qualifications for Re-exam - NAPLEX," relate to commission-approved examinations for pharmacy technicians and pharmacists and the procedure by which pharmacist applicants may attempt examinations four or more times. Policy Statement P014.2 took effect in February 5, 2026, and updated the established list of commission-approved examinations for pharmacy technicians and pharmacists required in WAC 246-945-165 and 246-945-205. The policy also identifies which test scores can be used. Policy Statement 40 took effect in February 2011, establishing a process for pharmacist applicants seeking a fourth or more attempt at the commission-approved examinations as required by RCW 18.64.080(2).

On February 5, 2026, the commission authorized rule making to consider adopting pharmacy technician and pharmacist examinations and qualifications for reexaminations in rule. Content from both policies will be considered as part of the rule making. The commission will consider rescinding both policy statements if no longer needed.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Julia Katz, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-791-1167, TTY 711, email PharmacyRules@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The department of health will conduct at least one rules workshop. Rule-making notices will be delivered via the GovDelivery list. To receive notices, go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. After signing in, click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions" and then click again on "Pharmacy Commission Newsletter." 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.