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.
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Current rules in progress
The department is currently engaged in rulemaking to implement recent legislation for SUDPs, filed under WSR 24-10-011 (PDF). The department has filed a CR-102 proposing professional rule changes for substance use disorder professionals in combined WSR 25-01-103 (PDF). The public rules hearing for these proposed changes is scheduled for February 5, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Below are details to register for the public hearing, submit written feedback, and review supporting documentation for this proposed rule filing.
The department is hosting a virtual hearing on February 5th, 2025. You may register for the upcoming virtual hearing.
You may submit written comments by February 5, 2025, using one of the following options:
Supporting Documents
- Significant Analysis (PDF)
- WSR 25-01-103 Combined (PDF) – includes the official draft of the proposed rule language for SUDPs
Emergency rules have been filed
The Department of Health has filed a secondary set of emergency rules under WSR 24-21-002 (PDF) to amend the following Substance Use Disorder Professionals and Substance Use Disorder Professionals Trainees rules in WACs 246-811-010, 246-811-025, 246-811-030, 246-811-035, 246-811-045, 246-811-046, 246-811-048, 246-811-049, 246-811-060, 246-811-070, 246-811-220, 246-811-240, 246-811-260, 246-811-990, and creating WAC 246-811-310.
The department is adopting these emergency rules to reduce barriers to entering and remaining in the behavioral health workforce, to streamline the substance use disorder provider (SUDP) and trainee credentialing process, and to implement recent legislation. Legislation being implemented includes Second Substitute House Bill (2SHB) 1724, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (E2SHB) 2247, and Second Substitute Senate Bill (2SSB) 6228.
These emergency rules will streamline the credentialing process by: (1) allowing certain educational programs to meet the coursework requirements of WAC 246-811-030 without further department review; (2) removing the limit on trainee credential renewals; (3) removing the requirement for trainees to work in behavioral health agencies; (4) removing the seven-year cap on earned trainee experience; (5) lowering the experience requirements for approved supervisors; (6) removing the requirement that supervisors be on site with trainees after the first 50 hours of supervised experience; (7) reducing the minimum continuing education requirements for SUDPs; (8) implementing out of state substantial equivalency applicant criteria to align with RCW 18.130.077; and (9) temporarily reducing certification and renewal fees to $100 per year.
These emergency rules will be continued while permanent rulemaking is in progress under WSR 24-10-011 (PDF), filed April 18, 2024. Information about the permanent rulemaking process is below.
See the Emergency Rules WAC Chapter (PDF) for full details of immediate changes.
The first set of emergency rules filed under WSR 24-12-078 (PDF) was in place from June 6 through October 2.