Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon - Rules in Progress

Rules in Progress

The rules writing process is open to the public. The public is welcome to take part in helping us write rules. Rules are also known as regulations, Washington Administrative Code, or WAC. The rule-making process includes public notices and workshops, and usually a public hearing before a rule becomes final.

Current rules in progress

Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery Examination

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (board) officially filed a CR-101 with the Office of the Code Reviser on December 18, 2023 as WSR# 24-01-084 (PDF). The board is considering amendments to update the examination requirements for licensure of osteopathic physicians, WAC 246-853-020.

Second Substitute House Bill 1724 (2SHB 1724, Chapter 425, Laws of 2023) (PDF) requires regulatory authorities to review licensure standards for health professionals in other states to determine substantial equivalency to Washington licensure standards in order to streamline and expedite credentialing processes. In response to this requirement, and to reduce potentially unnecessary licensure barriers, the board is considering amendments to the osteopathic physician examination requirements.

Continuing Education Requirements

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (board) officially filed a CR-101 with the Office of the Code Reviser on February 1, 2024 as WSR# 24-04-068 (PDF). The board is considering amendments to WAC 246-853-080 to update the continuing education requirements for licensure renewal of osteopathic physicians to clarify Washington-specific mandated CE requirements.

The board recently adopted a new health equity CE rule in WAC 246-853-075 to implement Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021) (PDF). ESSB 5229 directs the board to adopt rules establishing the standards for health equity CE, which must be completed at least once every four years.

Currently, WAC 246-853-080, Continuing education, does not refer to the new rule in WAC 246-853-075 or mention the new health equity CE requirement. The current requirements outlined in WAC 246-853-080 state that holding a current national certification or recognition award may fulfill all CE requirements, which does not include a provision to require inclusion of health equity or any other Washington-specific mandated CE. Amending this rule is needed to ensure osteopathic physicians are aware that they are required to take the health equity training requirement and all other legislatively mandated CE.

Opioid Prescribing Rules

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (board) officially filed a CR-101 with the Office of the Code Reviser on February 1, 2024 as WSR# 24-04-066 (PDF). The board is considering amendments to update the opioid prescribing requirements for osteopathic physicians and align with recent rule amendments by the Washington Medical Commission (WMC).

The board is considering rulemaking to possibly revise the following WACs:

Rule amendments may be needed to allow patients with Sickle Cell Disease receive the care they need in an efficient manner, provide osteopathic physicians and surgeons more clarity on when and how to taper patients to whom they prescribe opioids for chronic pain, and will provide rules that address how to work with patients that have an aberrant biological specimen test.

Substance Use Disorders

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (board) officially filed a CR-105 with the Office of the Code Reviser on February 14, 2024 as WSR# 24-05-036 (PDF). The board is proposing amendments to align the rules with currently accepted language for substance use disorders and related monitoring programs.

The board is proposing amendments to WAC 246-853-290, 246-853-300, 246-853-310, and 246-853-320 to update the rules regarding health profession monitoring programs. The proposed changes reflect updated language changes made by Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5496 (chapter 43, Laws of 2022) (PDF). In partnership with the Secretary of Health, technical amendments are also being proposed to WAC 246-853-990 to reflect changes to the updated rules and statute.

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