Resources for Abortion Providers

Abortion Is Legal in Washington

In Washington, abortions are legal up to the point of fetal viability or to protect the life or health of a pregnant person. Fetal viability is determined by any clinician acting within their scope of practice.

Clinicians that can provide abortion care in Washington include:

Advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP)
Certified nurse midwives (CNM)
Pharmacists (PharmD) – medication abortion only
Physicians (MD or DO)
Physician’s assistants (PA)

In Washington, pharmacists can prescribe medication abortion if they partner with a provider and are trained in medication abortion care.

Washington legally considers a provider’s good faith judgment as a defense for providing abortions after fetal viability. This means that if the health of the pregnant individual or fetus were at risk, providers acting in good faith are generally safeguarded.

Abortion Reporting and Patient Confidentiality

In Washington, providers must only report abortions that they themselves perform to the Center for Health Statistics through the Induced Termination of Pregnancy (ITOP) form.

It is not necessary to report miscarriage management, self-managed abortion, or a patient’s intention to self-manage an abortion. Reference this guide from If, When, How for more information on how to protect abortion patient confidentiality.

Learn more about charting and documentation considerations during reproductive encounters.

Washington State Legal Protections

No one may interfere with a person’s right to choose abortion or with a health care practitioner’s right to provide an abortion.

Abortion patients and providers are shielded from out-of-state lawsuits, and businesses, courts, and law enforcement cannot comply with such lawsuits.

Washington law protects health care providers from employer retaliation in cases where an abortion is provided as necessary treatment for life-threatening or potentially disabling pregnancy complications.

Healthcare professionals can access pro bono legal support, advice, and representation from the Abortion Defense Network.

Federal Legal Protections

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and Washington State law requires emergency room providers to give stabilizing medical treatment to any pregnant patient presenting to a hospital with an emergency medical condition. Providers are not permitted to wait until a patient’s medical condition declines to provide care. Stabilizing treatment can include abortion.

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act protects all patients, providers, and facilities that provide reproductive health services from threats of force, obstruction, and property damage intended to interfere with services.