WSR 26-14-106 (26-14)

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING

[Filed July 1, 2026, 8:41 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 308-12 WAC, Architects; chapter 308-13 WAC, Board of licensure for landscape architects; chapter 308-15 WAC, Geologist licensing services; chapter 308-30 WAC, Notaries public; chapter 308-33 WAC, Employment agencies—Fee schedules; and chapter 308-48 WAC, Funeral directors, embalmers, crematories, alkaline hydrolysis facilities, and natural organic reduction facilities; and WAC 308-18-150 Private security guard company, private security guard, and armed private security guard fees, 308-22-050 Fees, 308-47-090 Operator licensure for those who conduct cremations, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction, 308-83-020 Fees, 308-89-060 Fees, 308-124A-775 Real estate fees, 308-124H-990 Real estate course, school, and instructor approval fees, 308-125-120 Fees and charges, 308-127-160 Fees, 308-129-110 Seller of travel registration fees, 308-312-060 Fees, 308-320-050 Registration fees, and 308-420-240 Fees and charges.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.08.350 Certificate of registration—Application—Qualifications, 18.08.400 Registration of out-of-state registrants, 18.08.420 Business entities—Authorization to practice required, 18.08.430 Renewal of certificates of registration—Withdrawal—Continuing professional development, 18.08.510 Registration and authorization fee—Building code council account, 18.39.050 Application—Renewal—Fees, 18.39.175 Board—Duties and responsibilities—Rules, 18.39.181 Powers and duties of director, 18.85.041 Director—General powers and duties, 18.85.061 License fees—Real estate commission account, 18.85.101 Broker's license—Requirements—Renewal, 18.85.111 Managing broker's license—Requirements—Renewal, 18.85.171 Applications—Conditions—Fees, 18.85.191 License fees—Expiration—Renewal—Identification cards—Background checks, 18.85.451 Fee assessed, 18.96.060 Board—Adoption of rules—Executive director, 18.96.080 Applications for licensure and examinations—Fees, 18.96.110 Renewals, 18.140.030 Powers and duties of director, 18.140.050 Fees and collection procedures, 18.170.180 Authority of director, 18.220.040 Director's authority, 18.220.050 Board's authority, 18.300.020 Authority of director, 18.300.050 Licensing fees—Penalties for late renewal—Reinstatement—Duplicates, 19.31.140 Fees for licensees, 19.105.411 Fees, 19.138.170 Director—Powers and duties, 19.158.050 Registration requirements—Unprofessional conduct—Suspension of license or certificate for noncompliance with support order—Reinstatement, 42.45.170 Fees, 42.45.250 Rules, 43.24.086 Fee policy for professions, occupations, and businesses—Determination by rule, 46.72.120 Rules, 46.72A.120 Rules and fees, 64.36.081 Fees, 64.36.270 Rules, forms, and orders—Interpretive opinions, 68.05.100 Rules, 68.05.105 Authority of the board, 68.05.205 Fees, and 79A.60.480 Vessels carrying passengers for hire on whitewater rivers—Whitewater river outfitter's license—Application—Fees—Insurance—Penalties—State immune from civil actions arising from licensure.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 43.24.086 requires the director to set fees for each program at a level that covers the costs of administering the program. Fee structure changes are to create transparency for applicants of the cost of reviewing, processing, and issuing a license.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington department of revenue (DOR); the department of licensing will coordinate with staff at DOR to facilitate system and accounting updates.

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ellis Starrett, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-902-3846, email rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov, website dol.wa.gov/about/rulemaking.

Legislative and Policy Analyst