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Rules in Progress - Dental Assistant
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.
To get updates about rule making and other topics related to dental professionals, subscribe for updates at the bottom of the page.
Rules recently changed are on our What's Happening webpage.
Current Rules in Progress
- Dental licensure requirements
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The Dental Quality Assurance Commission filed a CR101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry as WSR 24-15-022 on July 9, 2024 (PDF), for WAC 246-817-135 Dental licensure without exam and WAC 246-817-160 Graduates of nonaccredited schools. The commission is considering amending WAC 246-817-135 to remove requirements pertaining to federal or state tax numbers when applying for licensure without an examination. The commission is also considering amending WAC 246-817-160 to clarify clinical and didactic education and training requirements for foreign-trained dentists and graduates of non-accredited schools or programs.
- Dental Assistant Registration
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The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (commission) filed a CR-102 Proposed Rule Making notice as WSR 25-05-022 on February 10, 2025. The commission is proposing amendments to this rule to include a minimum age requirement for dental assistant registration.
**Clarification: WAC 246-187-190, Dental assistant registration, in the title of rule and other identifying formation should read as WAC 246-817-190.
Email comments on the proposed rule to the commission by April 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
- Continuing education for dentists administering sedation
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The Dental Quality Assurance Commission filed a CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry as WSR 24-21-038 on October 8, 2024. The commission is considering amending WAC 246-817-773, Continuing education for dentists administering sedation, to ensure clear continuing education requirements.
- Dentist Compact
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The Dental Quality Assurance Commission and the Department of Health filed a CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry as WSR 24-21-097 on October 17, 2024. The commission and the department are considering adding new sections to chapter 246-817 WAC to implement provisions of Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1576 (chapter 297, Laws of 2023), which creates a new interstate compact for dentists and gives member states the discretion to charge a fee for granting compact privileges.
- Licensure requirements for expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDA)
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The Dental Quality Assurance Commission filed a CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry as WSR 25-03-075 on January 14, 2025. The commission is considering amending WAC 246-817-195, Licensure requirements for expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDA), to allow the amalgam clinical patient requirement to be optional. The commission may consider amendments to other relevant licensure requirement rule sections in chapter 246-817 WAC.