WSR 26-15-045 (26-15)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Dental Quality Assurance Commission)

[Filed July 9, 2026, 7:15 a.m.]

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 26-07-017.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Updating dentist licensure fees in WAC 246-817-990 to add surcharge for impaired practitioner program.

The department of health (department), in consultation with the dental quality assurance commission (commission), is proposing rule amendments to WAC 246-817-990 to add the Washington physicians health program (WPHP) impaired practitioner surcharge to initial licensure for dentists. Other general housekeeping is proposed, removing outdated information concerning fees that expired in 2025.

Hearing Location(s): On August 25, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Register in advance for this webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Bq1N4BVNTgOQ1Z2gEISbLQ. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The department will be offering a virtual webinar hearing only. Individuals may attend virtually or submit comments in writing.

Date of Intended Adoption: September 1, 2026.

Submit Written Comments to: Heather Cantrell, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504-7850, email HSQAfeerules@doh.wa.gov, web https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, beginning the date and time of this filing, by August 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Heather Cantrell, TTY 711, email HSQAfeerules@doh.wa.gov, by August 18, 2026.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department, in consultation with the commission, is proposing amendments to WAC 246-817-990 regarding the WPHP surcharge. The proposed rule will be updated to add the WPHP surcharge for initial license applications. The amendment is needed to ensure that all licensees are eligible for WPHP services and to align with statute.

The proposed rule also removes outdated information concerning fees that expired in 2025.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The Washington legislature passed HB 1972 (chapter 15, Laws of 2024), which increased the WPHP surcharge and allows a surcharge of up to $70 per year to be collected. WAC 246-817-990 only provides for collection of the WPHP surcharge on license renewal. When the WPHP surcharge was originally implemented, the phrase "each license issuance or renewal" was interpreted by some professions to exclude the initial license, while other professions included it. The commission reviewed the WPHP charge in 2025 and decided to include the initial license to ensure all licensees are fully included and eligible for WPHP services.

Housekeeping changes are necessary to eliminate outdated fees that sunset December 31, 2025.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.32.534, 43.70.110, 43.70.250, and 43.70.280.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.32.534.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Department of health, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Heather Cantrell, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501; Implementation and Enforcement: Debbie Gardner, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501.

A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. This rule is exempt from analysis according to RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vi) because it is a rule that sets or adjusts fees pursuant to legislative standards.

This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules set or adjust fees under the authority of RCW 19.02.075 or that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards, including fees set or adjusted under the authority of RCW 19.80.045.

Explanation of exemptions: The proposed rules set and adjust fees for dentists under RCW 34.05.310 (4)(f).

Scope of exemption for rule proposal:

Deputy Chief of Policy

for Dennis E. Worsham

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 25-07-080, filed 3/17/25, effective 4/17/25)

WAC 246-817-990Dentist fees and renewal cycle.

(1) Licenses must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, except faculty and resident licenses.

(2) Faculty and resident licenses must be renewed every year on July 1 as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC.

(3) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged:

Title of Fee	((Fee through December 31, 2025))	Fee ((on and after January 1, 2026))
Original application by examination*
Initial application	(($500.00))	$500.00
Surcharge - Impaired dentist		70.00
Original application - Without examination
Initial application	((500.00))	500.00
Surcharge - Impaired dentist		70.00
Initial license	((500.00))	500.00
Faculty license application	((500.00))	500.00
Resident license application	((115.00))	115.00
Active license renewal
Renewal	((365.00))	365.00
Surcharge - Impaired dentist	((50.00))	70.00
Late renewal penalty	((185.00))	185.00
Expired license reissuance	((300.00))	300.00
Inactive license renewal
Renewal	((125.00))	125.00
Surcharge - Impaired dentist	((50.00))	70.00
Late renewal penalty	((50.00))	50.00
Retired active license renewal
Renewal	((150.00))	150.00
Surcharge - Impaired dentist	((50.00))	70.00
Late renewal penalty	((75.00))	75.00
Duplicate license	((15.00))	15.00
Certification of license	((25.00))	25.00
Anesthesia permit
Initial application	((150.00))	150.00
Renewal - (Three-year renewal cycle)	((160.00))	160.00
Late renewal penalty	((80.00))	80.00
Expired permit reissuance	((50.00))	50.00
On-site inspection fee	((To be determined by future rule adoption.))	To be determined by future rule adoption.

In addition to the initial application fee above, applicants for licensure via examination will be required to submit a separate application and examination fee directly to the dental testing agency accepted by the dental quality assurance commission.