Policy and Interpretive Statement Activity

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission rescinded policy statement P005 filed as WSR 20-17-018 on enforcement of AIDS education and training requirements because recent legislation repealed those requirements in law. Filed as WSR 25-16-046.

Rescission of Interpretive Statement BON 21-01, Continuing Education Pharmacology Documentation. Filed February 8, 2024.

The board is rescinding this interpretive statement because the board has adopted amendments to WAC 246-836-080 Continuing competency program, that clarify what forms of documentation are acceptable to verify meeting the pharmacology continuing education requirements. Thus, the interpretive statement is no longer necessary.

Individuals requiring information on this rule should contact Rachel Phipps, program manager, phone 564-233-1277, email naturopathy@doh.wa.gov.

Clarifying that the Washington State Department of Health and the Board of Nursing Home Administrators consider the terms "Administrator-in-Training (AIT) program" and "administrator residency" to mean the same thing.

Effective Date: July 15, 2025. Filed July 8, 2025, as WSR 25-15-025.

Policy Number: OD 24-01. Allowances for in-person continuing education for licensed optometrists who have a continuing education reporting date in year 2024. Effective Date: March 1, 2024.

Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery rescinded policy statement OP22-01 filed as WSR 22-15-061 on telemedicine because it has been superseded by recent legislation. Filed July 31, 2025, as WSR 25-16-061.

Identifies the states and territories of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or providence of Canada with "substantially equivalent" licensing standards, allowing applicants to apply for licensure via endorsement.

Effective Date: July 11, 2024. Filed August 28, 2024, as WSR 24-18-055.

The Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (commission) developed this policy statement to address licensing requirements, standard of care and the role of the 
commission in evaluating technology and equipment used to facilitate telehealth services.

Effective Date: July 11, 2024. Filed August 28, 2024, as WSR 24-18-051.

Policy Statement CH-24-03-014 (PDF). The Washington State Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission issued a policy statement stating that an Individual’s holding a chiropractic license in “inactive” status, and endorsement or expired credential reissuance applicants are not required to take and pass the jurisprudence examination if the applicant holds an active credential recognized as having substantially equivalent standards. Effective Date: March 14, 2023.

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission rescinded interpretive statement Dental-03, Application Requirements for Moderate Sedation with Parenteral Agents Permits, which was filed May 24, 2023, and published in WSR 23-12-003.

Filed August 20, 2025, as WSR 25-18-002.

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission rescinded interpretive statement DQAC IS-02, Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine ordering and administration, which was filed January 28, 2021, and published as WSR 21-04-058.

Filed August 28, 2025, as WSR 25-18-069.

Extending the effective date for when a licensed dentist must have a pediatric sedation endorsement to administer moderate sedation with eternal agents or moderate sedation with parenteral agents to pediatric patients from January 1, 2025, to February 28, 2025.

Effective Date: January 17, 2025. Filed February 3, 2025.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) or designee should use the criteria in this policy to identify a water system that meets the criteria for a Same Farm Exemption (SFE), and their eligibility for the SFE. These include water systems that have four or fewer connections, all of which serve residences on the same farm. Filed April 24, 2025, as WSR 25-10-006.

Interpretive Statement – Health Equity Continuing Education for Dental Hygienists, HSQA OHP DH2301

Health equity continuing education (CE) requirements for Dental Hygienists under chapter 246-815 WAC. Training requirements in WAC 246-12-800 through WAC 246-12-
830 will apply to a Dental Hygiene licensee starting January 1, 2024. Filed December 22, 2023.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) rescinded interpretive statement ABA 23-01, Health Equity Continuing Education for Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBA) and Licensed Assistant Behavior Analysts (LABA).

Filed August 27, 2025, as WSR 25-18-051.

This policy clarifies the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission's approach to enforcing timely transfers for initial dispensing of an electronic prescription for a controlled substance, if the failure to comply results from the licensee's use of National Council for Prescription Drug programs (NCPDP) SCRIPT standard version 2023011, as it relates to WAC 246-945-346.

Effective Date: December 26, 2024. Filed November 26, 2024.

The Washington State Department of Health issued a policy statement regarding health requirements for hospitals providing emergency services to provide immediate access to abortion services or secure transfer to another hospital. Effective Date: June 17, 2024.

Postponing enforcement of data reporting requirements using the Washington Emergency Medical Services Information System (WEMSIS) for licensed ambulance and aid services (RCW 70.168.090, WAC 246-976-455).

Effective Date: September 30, 2024. Filed September 9, 2024, as WSR 24-19-030.

The Examining Board of Psychology rescinded EBOP-20-01.2, Use of Telepsychology to Fulfill Experience Requirements during and following the COVID-19 Declared Emergency.

Filed September 26, 2025, as WSR 25-20-060.

The Examining Board of Psychology rescinded EBOP-22-01, Requirements for Educational Meetings Completed in lieu of Doctoral Residency - Applicants for psychology license.

Filed September 26, 2025, as WSR 25-20-066.

The Examining Board of Psychology rescinded EBOP-20-02.2, Virtual Supervision for Psychology Internships and Pre-internships during and following the COVID-19 Declared Emergency.

Filed September 26, 2025, as WSR 25-20-062.

The Examining Board of Psychology rescinded EBOP-21-01, Application of Supervised Experience Hours for Applicants of a Psychologist License When Only Partial Credit Applies.

Filed September 15, 2025, as WSR 25-20-065.

The Examining Board of Psychology rescinded EBOP-22-02, Supplemental Information Requirement for Applicants for Psychology License from Hybrid or Online Graduate Programs

Filed September 26, 2025, as WSR 25-20-067.

This policy clarifies the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission’s renewal extension process for pharmacy interns who have reached the renewal limitation set in WAC 246-945-155(3). Policy number: P012. Effective Date: February 1, 2024.

Interpreting the requirements of RCW 70.41.420, which describes the establishment, composition, and responsibilities of hospital staffing committees. Interpretive Statement CHS-01-17-24. Effective Date: January 1, 2024

The Washington State Department of Health's interpretation of RCW 70.41.420, as it relates to the establishment, composition, and responsibilities of hospital staffing committees. Effective Date: June 21, 2024.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued policy statement HSQA MC 2025-01 clarifying how alternative training for medical cannabis consultants may meet regulatory requirements.

Effective date: March 25, 2025. Filed July 30,2025.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued interpretive statement EHS-01-2024 advising local health officers on the application of chapter 64.44 RCW when personal use of methamphetamine is suspected in transient accommodations. Effective June 1, 2024. Filed as WSR 24-12-032 on May 29, 2024.

Outlines the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) process to enforce RCW 70.54.500, Motor carriers – Access to restroom facilities. RCW 70.54.500 requires a shipper or consignee to provide access to a restroom to a motor carrier delivering goods to or picking goods up during normal business hours.

Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Filed November 6, 2024.

Rescission of interpretive statement NCIS2.00 for WAC 246-840-4659 because a permanent rule has been adopted in its place. The rule clarifies the application of the advanced practice pain management rules in nursing homes and long-term acute care hospitals and incorporated the interpretive statement into permanent rule. Filed on January 31, 2024.

The board engaged in rulemaking to clarify the application of the advanced practice pain management rules in nursing homes and long-term acute care hospitals and incorporated the interpretive statement into permanent rule. The proposed rule was adopted by the board in a rule hearing on May 12, 2023. The permanent rule was filed on June 29, 2023 as WSR 23-14-082.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued a policy statement providing clarity about the reporting requirements outlined in Substitute Senate Bill 5547, Nursing Pool Transparency. Effective Date: June 12, 2024.

Filed on August 1, 2024.

Clarified examination information for pharmacy technicians and pharmacists.

Effective Date: May 22, 2025. Filed July 2, 2025.

This policy statement establishes the commission-approved examinations for pharmacy technicians and pharmacists described in WAC 246-945-165 and 246-945-205.

Effective Date: December 12, 2024. Filed February 6, 2025 as WSR 25-05-009.

Rescission of Policy Statement P004, Regulatory Standards Applicable to Remote Dispensing Sites. Filed February 8, 2024.

The pharmacy quality assurance commission (commission) is rescinding the policy statement Regulatory Standards Applicable to Remote Dispensing Sites, which was filed on July 2, 2020, and published as WSR 20-15-011.

The department of health is rescinding this policy statement because rulemaking was completed allowing a pharmacy to extend its pharmacy license to a remote dispensing site where technology is used to dispense medications used for the treatment of opioid use disorder or its symptoms. The CR-103P was filed under WSR 24-01-098 and went into effect on January 18, 2024.

Individuals requiring information on this rule should contact Joshua Munroe, rules and legislative consultant, phone 360-502-5058, email PharmacyRules@doh.wa.gov. 

A Policy Statement HSQA-25-01.2 regarding the temporary practice of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians licensed out-of-state to assist with the impacts of Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs closures in Washington state.

Filed September 2, 2025.

Policy statement P010 regarding the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Enforcement Policy enforcing certain USP general chapters has been rescinded because rulemaking on this topic has been completed.

Filed September 12, 2025.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued a policy statement HSQA-25-01.1 allowing temporary practice for out-of-state licensed pharmacists and technicians assisting with impacts of Bartell and Rite-Aid closures Washington.

Effective Date: July 14, 2025. Filed July 16, 2025.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) adopted policy statement CHS-A31-2025 restricting data sharing of gender-affirming treatment data or records with jurisdictions that restrict gender affirming treatment inconsistent with WA law. Filed June 16, 2025, as WSR 25-13-072.

The Secretary of Health will exercise enforcement discretion to permit pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to practice in Washington state without an active 
Washington state credential or certification under chapters 18.130, 18.64, or 18.64A RCW only for the purpose of assisting with prescription transfers due to the closures of Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs pharmacies in Washington.

Effective Date: June 1, 2025. Filed June 5, 2025, as WSR 25-13-006.

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (commission) accredits schools and colleges of pharmacy as required by RCW 18.64.080(1)(c).

The commission recognizes schools or colleges of pharmacy that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and that meet ACPE’s Accreditation Standards and Key Elements for the Professional Program in Pharmacy Leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (“Standards 2025”). Filed June 24, 2025, as WSR 25-14-033.

Washington Medical Commission notice of adoption of interpretive statement INS2025-01, "Qualified Physician Under Optometry Law", interpreting qualifications for physicians licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW for purposes of chapter 18.53 RCW, as amended by Senate Bill 5389 (chapter 400, Laws of 2023). Effective May 9, 2025. Filed as WSR 25-11-037.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) rescinded the Interpretive Statement titled Health Equity Continuing Education for Midwives, HSQA OHP MW01, which was filed December 22, 2023, and published in WSR 24-02-024. WA-DOH is rescinding this interpretive statement because it was permanently incorporated into WAC 246-834-355 as published in WSR 24-10-091 filed April 30.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) rescinded this policy statement on enforcement discretion of certain requirements in chapter 246-341 WAC applicable to Opioid Treatment Program licensing and certification, which was filed May 24, 2024, and published in WSR 24-12-021.

The Department of Health is rescinding this policy statement because the content was permanently incorporated into WAC 246-828-100 as published in WSR 24-01-087 on December 18, 2023. The policy statement is no longer needed. Filed April 23, 2024.

The Washington State Department of Health (department), Health Systems Quality Assurance Division, Office of Community Health Systems, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Section is rescinding Policy Number EMS 20-01 | EMS Providers and Emergency Vaccinations, which was filed October 23, 2020, and published in WSR 20-22-030.

The policy is being rescinded because it is no longer needed. The department adopted permanent rules under WSR 24-15-104 on July 22, 2024, for chapter 246-976 WAC Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care Systems. The rules became effective on September 30, 2024.

Filed January 9, 2025, as WSR 25-03-048.

The Washington State Department of Health (the department), Health Systems Quality Assurance Division, Office of Community Health Systems, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Section is rescinding Policy Number EMS 21-01 | EMS Providers and Emergency Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies, which was filed December 7, 2021, and published in WSR 22-01-043.

The policy is being rescinded because it is no longer needed. The department adopted permanent rules under WSR 24-15-104 on July 22, 2024, for chapter 246-976 WAC Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care Systems. The rules became effective on September 30, 2024. The amendments to the rule and updates to the scope of practice include requirements for EMS providers listed in the policy statement to administer monoclonal antibodies.

Filed January 9, 2025, as WSR 25-03-047.

This statement allowed currently operating organ transport services and organ transport vehicles in Washington state to continue operating while permanent rules were in development to implement the department’s licensing requirements under Substitute House Bill (SHB) 1271, chapter 290, Laws of 2023.

This policy is being rescinded because the department officially filed a CR-103P in WSR 24-17-005 on August 8, 2024, for chapter 246-976 WAC Organ transport service and vehicle license. The rules became effective on September 30, 2024, therefore the policy statement is no longer needed. Organ transport vehicle and service license requirements are established in WAC 246-976-360.

Filed December 20, 2024 as WSR 25-02-058.

This policy statement provided guidance to donor milk banks and insurance carriers consistent with RCW 43.70.645 until the department adopted permanent rules. The policy statement served as the milk bank safety standards established by the department for inpatient use for the purpose of RCW 43.70.645 and 48.43.815, clarified and added a definition addressing donor human milk obtained from a milk bank for the purposes of ensuring inclusion of donor milk provided by renumerated donors and ensuring inclusive language use.

The department is rescinding this policy statement because it is superseded by permanent rules that were adopted August 22, 2023, filed as WSR 23-17-149 with an effective date of September 22, 2023, making the policy statement obsolete.

Individuals requiring information on this should contact Me'kyel Bailey, lead policy advisor, email mekyel.bailey@doh.wa.gov, or phone 360-754-9161. Filed February 5, 2024.

The Washington Medical Commission is rescinding this policy statement because the state of Washington became the first state to enact ESSB 5481, the Uniform Telemedicine Act, and this statute just recently went into effect on June 6, 2024. As such, the commission’s Telemedicine policy, POL2021-02, became superseded by statutory law. Filed December 20, 2024.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) rescinded interpretive statement HP-9-27-17, Supervision of Applied Behavior Analysis Licensees by Psychologists, which was filed October 2, 2017, and published in WSR 17-20-067.

Filed August 27, 2025, as WSR 25-18-055.

This policy clarifies the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission’s issuance of temporary practice permits to pharmacy interns who are spouses of military personnel. Policy number: P011. Effective Date: February 1, 2024.