The rule-making 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
Licensure Requirements: Second Substitute House Bill 1724 (SSHB 1724) – Increasing the Behavioral Health Workforce (2023) and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2247 (ESSHB 2247) – Addressing behavioral health provider shortages (2024)
Section 6(a) of SSHB 1724 requires the board to adopt emergency rules by July 1, 2024, to implement changes to licensing requirements to remove barriers to entering and remaining in the health care workforce and to streamline the credentialing process. Here are the emergency rules that have been adopted:
Section 6(b) of SSHB 1724 also mandates the board to adopt permanent rules by July 1, 2025, to achieve the same goals.
ESSHB 2247 creates a new psychological associate license and authorizes the board to adopt rules waiving any of the licensing requirements, as determined by the board, for an applicant who has continuously held a psychology license in good standing in another jurisdiction for a period of time that renders the waived licensing requirements duplicative or unnecessary.
To ensure the new rules reflect public input, the board has hosted a series of workshops. Public comments have been considered, and latest draft of the permanent rules is available here:
- Draft Permanent Rules January 10, 2025 (PDF) (Please note this draft does not reflect any changes discussed at the March 2025 board meeting)
Psychology Fees: Substitute House Bill 1286 (SHB 1286) Psychology Compact (2022) and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (ESSHB 2247) – Addressing behavioral health provider shortages (2024)
Explanation of proposed changes: The Department of Health is proposing revisions to: 1) update the application, renewal, and other fees for a psychologist license, 2) establish a fee schedule for the newly created psychological associate license, and 3) establish a fee schedule for participation in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (Psypact).
The revisions are being considered in accordance with RCW 43.70.250, which mandates that the costs of professional licensing programs "be fully borne by the members of that profession" through fees. The Examining Board of Psychology's fees were last adjusted by the department in 2019. Since then, program expenses have increased, and the current revenue from fees is no longer sufficient to cover program costs and maintain an appropriate reserve balance.
Additionally, recent legislation SHB 1286 and ESSBH 2247 requires the department to establish fees to fund the licensure and regulation of compact participation and the psychological associate license in Washington state.
A full fee narrative explaining the need for fee changes, the factors influencing the proposed amounts, and the specific fee adjustments can be found here:
Public Comment: As part of the CR-102 process we welcome public input. Please submit your comments regarding the proposed rule to the Washington State Department of Health either online, by mail, or e-mail by April 22, 2025.
- Online: Submit Comments
- Mail: Nancy Delgado, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Health Office of Health Professions P.O. Box 47850 Olympia, WA 98504-7850
- E-mail psychology@doh.wa.gov
Public Hearing: A public hearing for the proposed changes will be held virtually on April 22, 2025, at 9 a.m.
Register in advance for the rules hearing. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar.