DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed June 10, 2026, 7:47 a.m., effective July 11, 2026]

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

Purpose: Midwifery licensure requirements; removing jurisprudence examination (JP) requirement. The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-834-050 Examination requirements for licensure as a midwife, and 246-834-060 Initial application requirements for licensure as a midwife, to remove the JP examination requirement for licensure as a midwife.

In 2023, the legislature passed 2SHB 1724, codified as RCW 18.130.077, which requires disciplining authorities for credentialed professionals to waive education, training, experience, and exam requirements for applicants coming from other states with similar standards. The midwifery profession was not directly impacted because there are currently no states with licensing standards that are substantially equivalent to Washington. However, in alignment with the legislation to reduce licensing barriers, the department is adopting the removal of the JP examination requirement for midwifery applicants to streamline and shorten the credentialing process. The department determined, in consultation with the midwifery advisory committee, that the JP examination is administrative in nature, is open-book and untimed, and does not meaningfully assess clinical competency. Removal of the examination does not reduce patient protections because substantive knowledge of Washington law and scope of practice remains available to applicants through department guidance and enforceable statutory and rule requirements.

The adopted rule amendments are necessary to update enforceable requirements for licensure as a midwife and streamline and shorten the credentialing process.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-834-050 and 246-834-060.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.50.135.

Other Authority: RCW 18.50.020 and 18.130.077.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-08-020 on March 23, 2026.

A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Kathy Weed, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4883, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email kathy.weed@doh.wa.gov, website doh.wa.gov.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 2, 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: June 8, 2026.

Kristin Peterson, JD

for Dennis E. Worsham

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 22-13-079, filed 6/10/22, effective 7/11/22)

WAC 246-834-050Examination requirements for licensure as a midwife.

(1) An applicant for midwifery licensure shall successfully pass:

(a) The midwifery examination offered by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM); and

(b) The Washington state licensure examination with a minimum passing score of 80((; and

(2) The secretary may, by rule, revise examination requirements if necessary, for good cause.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 22-13-079, filed 6/10/22, effective 7/11/22)

WAC 246-834-060Initial application requirements for licensure as a midwife.

(1) An applicant for a midwife license shall submit to the department the following:

(a) Initial application on forms provided by the department.

(b) Fees required in WAC 246-834-990.

(d) Proof of at least three years of midwifery training, per RCW 18.50.040 (2)(a), unless the applicant qualifies for a reduced academic period.

(((e) Proof of successful completion of the midwifery jurisprudence exam, as required in WAC 246-834-050.))

(2) In addition to the requirements in subsection (1) of this section, an applicant for a midwife license shall also:

(a) Have transcripts sent directly to the department from the applicant's midwifery school demonstrating that the applicant has received a certificate or diploma in midwifery. An applicant applying under WAC 246-834-065 or 246-834-066 may be exempted from this requirement.

(b) Have verification of passing the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) examination as required in WAC 246-834-050. Results must be sent directly to the department from NARM.

(3) Once all application requirements in this section are met, and additional requirements in WAC 246-834-065 or 246-834-066 if applicable, the department will schedule the applicant for the Washington state licensing exam as required in WAC 246-834-050.