Substitute Senate Bill 5229
The department has implemented Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5229 (chapter 276, laws 2021). ESSB 5229 requires that health care professionals credentialed under under Title 18 RCW, and subject to continuing education requirements, complete health equity continuing education training. This training must be taken at least once every four years. The department, in consultation with health care boards and commissions, was required to adopt model rules. These model rules establish the minimum standards for health equity continuing education training courses.
What is health equity?
For the Washington State Department of Health, health equity exists when all people can attain their full health potential. That means people aren't disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of the color of their skin, ancestry, level of education, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, socioeconomic status, the job they have, the neighborhood they live in, or whether they have a disability.
Equity and equality are not the same. Equality gives everyone the same resources. Equity gives people the resources they need. With equity, everyone has the same opportunities as others. Research shows that inequities are part of the health care system. These have always existed.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the various impacts that communities experienced. This is because of discrimination and bias in the health care system. Access to health services and health care allows all families to enjoy productive and satisfying lives. Healthier Washingtonians lead to healthier, happier families, and communities.
Community collaboration
The department reached out to community leaders, educators, advocates, persons with lived experience, health equity experts, health care professionals, and others. We engaged those who were willing to participate and advise us as we created continuing education minimum requirements. We held a series of listening sessions and workshops to provide an open forum for all interested parties. The community provided input in the development of the health equity CE model rules.
In addition to outreach, we notified the community through the GovDelivery communications platform. If you would like to be involved in future projects, you may sign up for GovDelivery updates at the bottom of the page.
Course Requirements
The minimum standards for health equity continuing education training are in WAC 246-12-830. Health care professionals must complete two hours of health equity continuing education every four years. These trainings must include:
- Implicit bias training to identify strategies to reduce bias during assessment and diagnosis, and may include, but is not limited to training in bias, racism, and poverty, that manifest as health inequities.
- Development of individual and system level interventions and self-reflection to assess how the licensee’s social position can influence their relationship with patients and their communities
- Skills to enable a health care professional to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities
- Assess the professional’s ability to apply health equity concepts into practices
- Trainers for these courses have demonstrated knowledge and experience related to health equity
- Researched referenced in the training is based on current empirical research and best-known practices
- The course assesses the health care professional’s ability to apply health equity concepts into practice in accordance with profession specific rules
To learn more about the requirements, we encourage you to read RCW 43.70.613 and WAC 246-12.
Certain professions may require more frequent trainings or trainings with additional content. If you are credentialed in one or more of these professions, you will be required to meet those requirements.
Free Trainings
These training courses are provided for free by the listed provider and meet the minimum health equity continuing education requirements. These courses may be designed for a specific profession or focus on a specific community. Your profession may require additional training related to health equity continuing education. Please refer to your specific program for more information on requirements.
Training name | Provider | Length | Modality
(Listed trainings are in alphabetical order)
- Implicit Bias Training Course | National Institute of Health | 3 Modules for 50 min (will need to take an additional course to meet hour requirements) | Online
- Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals | US Dept. of Health and Human Service | 4 Sessions for 4 – 5.5 hours | Online
- Inculcating Equity– Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Community Care Initiative (aimcci.org)
- Racism, Bias, and Other Determinants of Health: Issues and Actions |Region IV Public Health Training Center | 2 Modules for 90mins (will need to take an additional course to meet hour requirements) | Online
Paid Trainings
These training courses cost money and meet the minimum health equity continuing education requirements. These courses may be designed for a specific profession or focus on a specific community. Your profession may require additional training related to health equity continuing education. Please refer to your specific program for more information on requirements.
Training name | Provider | Length | Modality | Cost
(Listed trainings are in cost of training and alphabetical order)
- Implicit Bias Training for Healthcare Professionals | Renew Now CE | 2 hours | Online | $35
- Implicit Bias in Healthcare Masterclass | CQC Healthcare | 2 hours | Online | $79
Other Educational Opportunities
These require watching a video. Individuals that watch these videos will not receive a certificate, assessment, or document at the end. Please refer to your specific program for more information on requirements and if these will count for fulfilling the health equity continuing education requirement if you write a paper on the content.
Training name | Provider | Length | Modality
(Listed trainings are in alphabetical order)
- Tribal Sovereignty and the Indian Health Care System | American Indian/Alaska Native Providers | 5 Modules for 5 hours | Webinar Videos
- Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in American | Documentary by Jeffrey Robinson | 2 hours | Video
Contact Us
Contact us with any questions, concerns, or comments regarding the identification of training programs that meet minimum health equity continuing education requirements. If you have any questions regarding these requirements for a specific profession, please reach out to that profession. If you do not know who to contact, we can help direct you to the correct program.
If you would like to submit a training that meets the requirements of health equity continuing education, email our team. Updates will be made quarterly beginning January 1, 2024.