Rulemaking Activity

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.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) adopted updates to outdated rule references.

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. 

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission is considering amending WAC 246-945-001, 246-945-315, 246-945-317, 246-945-320, and potentially adding a new section in chapter 246-945 WAC to clarify the utilization of pharmacy ancillary personnel and technology within the pharmacy.

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission proposed amendments to chapter 246-945 WAC to clarify when remodel inspections are required for remodeled pharmacies.

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission adopted updates to references, made grammar corrections, and made other technical changes that do not affect implementation of the rule.

Citation of rules amended by this order: WACs 246-945-001, 246-945-011, 246-945-014, 246-945-018, 246-945-063, 246-945-156, 246-945-170, 246-945-173, 246-945-175, 246-945-200, 246-945-217, 246-945-230, 246-945-417, and 246-945-590.

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 Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission is considering amending existing rules and establishing a new section in chapter 246-945 WAC to implement a uniform enforcement tool for pharmaceutical firms. The rules will implement Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5271 (chapter 121, Laws of 2024).

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission proposes adding a new section, WAC 246-945-007, to implement a uniform process for fining pharmacies in alignment with Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5271 (chapter 121, Laws of 2024). The rule outlines enforcement actions related to repeated violations and establishes fines scaled to severity and operation size.

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission proposed to amend WAC 246-945-585 and WAC 246-945-590, to clarify expectations for wholesalers submitting suspicious orders and zero reports to the commission.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) proposed amendments to WAC 246-945 to update references to federal standards to improve clarity and modernize regulatory requirements.

The Board of Physical Therapy (board) is proposing amendments to WAC 246-915-030, 246-915-040, 246-915-085, and 246-915-120 in order to comply with Section 8 of 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023), codified as RCW 18.130.077 and to make general and housekeeping updates to these sections. Additionally, the board is proposing amendments to WAC 246-915-040 to further expand upon the endorsement pathway required under 2SHB 1724 and amendments to WAC 246-915-120 to streamline the foreign educated applicant application process.

Continuance of public rules hearing. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the Board of Physical Therapy (board) are proposing amendments to WAC 246-915-030, 246-915-040, 246-915-085, and 246-915-120 to reduce barriers to licensure. Additionally, the board is proposing amendments to WAC 246-915-040 to expand upon the endorsement pathway and amendments to WAC 246-915-120 to streamline the foreign educated applicant application process.

The Board of Physical Therapy and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) adopted amendments to chapter 246-915 WAC, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, to clarify statutory requirements included in Second Substitute House Bill (2SHB) 1039 (chapter 198, Laws of 2023) for obtaining an intramuscular needling endorsement and to establish a fee to cover the cost of the endorsement. The adopted rules clarify and set standards to ensure that physical therapists who are seeking the endorsement are prepared with the skills and education needed to provide safe intramuscular needling services to the public.

The Board of Physical Therapy and Department of Health are proposing amendments to clarify statutory requirements for education and training and define the endorsement for intramuscular needling, and to amend fees and renewal cycle, to implement Second Substitute House Bill 1039, (chapter 198, Laws of 2023) which expands the scope of practice of physical therapists to perform intramuscular needling.

The Board of Physical Therapy (board) is updating existing rules to reference amendments to the most recent Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Commission (PTLC) rules. The board has adopted an updated effective date in WAC 246-915A-010 to match the date of the most recent PTLC rules to comply with RCW 18.74.500 Article IX(2).

The Board of Physical Therapy is proposing to update the effective date in WAC 246-915A-010 for the Physical Therapy Compact per RCW 18.74.500 Article IX(2), updating the reference date to the most recent physical therapy licensure compact rules. This proposed rule will update the compact effective date to June 27, 2023. 

The Board of Physical Therapy has updated WAC 246-915A-010 to comply with RCW 18.74.500, Article IX (2), which mandates that the board adopt the most recent version of the compact commission rules to participate in the compact in the state of Washington. The adopted changes to WAC 246-915A-010 complies with the statute by incorporating by reference.

The Board of Physical Therapy is proposing to update the effective date in WAC 246-915A-010 to match the date of the most recent Physical Therapy Compact rules per RCW 18.74.500 Article IX(2). This proposed amendment will update the effective date in rule to June 17, 2024.

The Washington Medical Commission adopted amendments to WAC 246-918-076 and WAC 246-919-397 to align with the provisions of Second Substitute House Bill 1009, also known as the Military Spouse Employment Act, codified under RCW 18.340.020. These amendments streamline the license process for military spouses, ensuring consistency with state legislation and improving overall clarity and efficiency in the application process.

The Washington Medical Commission adopted amendments to chapter 246-918 WAC to implement Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 2041 (chapter 62, Laws of 2024) which aims to establish clear guidelines and requirements for the collaboration between physician assistants and supervising physicians. The commission also adopted amendments that clarify and update terms.

The Washington Medical Commission is proposing amendments to chapter 246-918 WAC to implement Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 2041 (chapter 62, Laws of 2024) which aims to establish clear guidelines and requirements for the collaboration between physician assistants (PAs) and supervising physicians.

The Washington Medical Commission is proposing amendments to WAC 246-919-330 to remove two requirements that have become a barrier to licensure. The purpose of this proposal is to amend the rules to align them with current practices and remove barriers to licensure for qualified applicants entering the physician workforce.

The Department of Health is considering a chapter review to reorganize sections and amend rules regarding J-1 Physician Visa waivers. The department is exploring updates to help meet the greatest needs across Washington State. The department will also look for increased clarity in the organizational structure, application criteria, and requirements for letters of support.

The Podiatric Medical Board has adopted sections WAC 246-922-300 and WAC 246-922-310 to comply with RCW 43.70.163. The board adopted the Department of Health’s health equity model rules, WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830, for podiatric physicians and surgeons. The adopted rule adds two hours of health equity education, as required in the model rules, to be completed as part of the current continuing competency requirements every four years. In addition, the board also adopted amendments that correct some confusing rule language to clarify that a resident in an approved postgraduate residency training program is not required to participate in podiatric continuing medical education. 

The Podiatric Medical Board (board) adopted amendments to WAC 246-922-400, WAC 246-922-405, WAC 246-922-410, and WAC 246-922-415 to update language regarding health profession monitoring programs to align with changes made by Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5496 (chapter 43, Laws of 2022).

The Podiatric Medical Board is considering updates to reduce licensure barriers for podiatric physician and surgeons and amending reciprocity requirements in WAC 246-922-055 to comply with Second Substitute House Bill (2SHB) 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023) codified at RCW 18.130.077.

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.

The Washington Medical Commission has adopted amendments to WAC 246-919-330 to eliminate the outdated requirement for consecutive years of training in no more than two programs. This change removes a barrier for qualified applicants to obtain licensure. This permanent rule will supersede the emergency rule filed on March 8, 2024, as WSR 24-07-019.

The Washington Medical Commission has adopted amendments to WAC 246-919-330 to eliminate the outdated requirement for consecutive years of training in no more than two programs. This change removes a barrier for qualified applicants to obtain licensure. This permanent rule will supersede the emergency rule filed on March 8, 2024, as WSR 24-07-019.

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission is proposing amendments to WAC 246-945-015 and adding four new sections to chapter 246-945 WAC establishing prescription label accessibility standards to ensure meaningful access to prescription information for patients with visual impairments or print disabilities, and for limited English Proficient patients.

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission adopted new accessible labeling rules to establish requirements for all dispensing facilities [i.e., pharmacies, nonresident pharmacies, healthcare entities (HCE), hospital pharmacy associated clinics (HPAC)] and dispensing practitioners (i.e., health professionals with prescriptive authority in the State of Washington). The adopted rule addresses establish that all practitioners and facilities in the state of Washington dispensing prescription medications shall provide information to the patient on the prescription container in a format that can be accurately comprehended by the patient and inform patients about the availability of accessibility services. The adopted rule creates four new sections WACs 246-945-026, 246-945-027, 246-945-028, and 246-945-029. WAC 246-945-015 is also amended to inform dispensing practitioners that they must comply with the new sections of rule. 

The Board of Hearing and Speech is considering amendments to chapter 246-828 WAC, addressing tele-practice for initial fittings of hearing aids and the recent requirement for hearing tests when fitting prescription hearing aids.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is proposing updates to WAC 246-470-010, 246-470-030, and 246-470-050 to add definitions and language consistency, and to clarify prescribers’ ability to request their prescribing history.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) adopted clarifying terms and added definitions of "delivery," "dispense," and "ultimate user." DOH also adopted language to clarify a prescriber’s ability to request the history of prescriptions the prescribers have written to decrease confusion regarding requirements of dispensers and prescribers.

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission is proposing to amend WAC 246-945-345 and add a new section, WAC 246-945-346 to establish the expectations of pharmacies related to noncontrolled and controlled substance prescription transfers upon patient request.

The State Board of Health (SBOH) repealed Chapter 246-366A and WAC 246-366-160, and amended WAC 246-366-005, to prevent the implementation of outdated and obsolete rules.

The State Board of Health (board) is considering creating a new chapter (chapter 246-370 WAC) of draft rules for school environmental health and safety. The board will consider establishing minimum statewide health and safety standards for schools, formalizing school environmental health and safety inspection procedures, and repealing chapters 246-366 and 246-366A WAC.

The State Board of Health proposes to amend WAC 246-366-005 and to repeal WAC 246-366-160 and chapter 236-366A WAC. By amending and repealing these rules, the board will prevent the implementation of out-of-date and obsolete rules.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is proposing to add NSF/ANSI 40 testing to WAC 246-272A-0110.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is proposing amendments to WAC 246-817-990, 246-853-990, 246-918-990, 246-919-990, 246-922-990, and 246-933-990 to update fee changes made by House Bill (HB) 1972 (chapter 15, Laws of 2024) codified in RCW 18.71.310, 18.71A.020, 18.57.015, 18.22.250, 18.32.534, and 18.92.047. DOH is also proposing to correct an error in the fee table in WAC 246-828-990 to ensure it accurately reflects the fees that are being charged for the speech-language pathologist inactive license.

The Examining Board of Psychology is adopting emergency rules to amend WACs 246-924-010, 246-924-046, 246-924-053, 246-924-095, and 246-924-100, establish 246-924-048 and 246-924-0481, and repeal 246-924-047 in chapter 246-924 WAC to implement parts of 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023). These emergency rules continue emergency rules initially filed on June 18, 2024, under WSR 24-14-079. The rules also incorporate an additional amendment, reducing the minimum amount of direct, face-to-face individual supervision from 2 hours per 20 hours of pre-internship experience to 1 hour per 20 hours. These emergency rules will be continued while permanent rules filed under WSR 24-11-005 on May 2, 2024, are in progress.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is considering revisions to WAC 246-924-990, psychology fees and renewal cycle, to: (1) update application, renewal, and other fees for a psychologist license; (2) establish a fee schedule for a licensed psychological associate license; and (3) establish a fee schedule for participation in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (Psypact).

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is proposing revisions to WAC 246-924-990, Psychology fees and renewal cycle, to implement recent legislation by: (1) updating application, renewal, and other fees for a psychologist license; (2) establishing a fee schedule for a licensed psychological associate license; and (3) establishing a fee schedule for participation in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) adopted changes to WAC 246-924-990, updating fees for psychology credentials and establishing a fee schedule for participation in an interjurisdictional compact.

The Examining Board of Psychology adopted amendments to WAC 246-924-230 to establish health equity continuing education (CE) requirements and implement Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5229 (Chapter 276, Laws of 2021). The adopted rule requires two hours in health equity CE every three years, rather than four years, and is absorbed into the existing number of CE hours required. It does not change the total number of CE hours required for the profession and aligns with licensed psychologists’ three-year CE cycle. Additionally, the board adopted amendments to improve clarity and remove obsolete language, including provisions that allowed the board to permit CE from another jurisdiction to fulfill Washington’s CE requirements and to waive CE requirements for a retired psychologist who wishes to maintain active licensure.

The Examining Board of Psychology is considering amending, repealing, and creating new sections in chapter 246-924 WAC. Rule amendments will be considered to implement recent legislation to reduce barriers to entering and remaining in the behavioral health care workforce; streamline and shorten the credentialing process; establish a psychological associate license; amend the licensure process for experienced psychologists licensed outside of Washington.

Additionally, this rulemaking project will continue work started under WSR 23-06-041, under which the board began considering amendments related to licensure requirements, changes to the national examination, supervision requirements, the role of technology and telepsychology in the profession, and additional options for sanctions.

The Examining Board of Psychologists adopted emergency rules to amend WACs 246-924-010, 246-924-046, 246-924-053, 246-924-095, and 246-924-100, establish 246-924-048 and 246-924-0481, and repeal 246-924-047. The rules implement 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023) that reduce barriers to entering and remaining in the behavioral health workforce and to streamline the credentialing process.