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)
Permanent Rulemaking
The following document includes the official proposed rule language:
Explanation of proposed changes: The Examining Board of Psychology (board) is proposing changes to update licensure standards and implement recent legislation, including Second Substitute House Bill (2SHB) 1724 and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (E2SHB) 2247. The board proposes amending licensure requirements including but not limited to: telehealth standards; the application process; education requirements; supervised experience requirements; approved supervisor requirements; residency and educational meeting standards; and telesupervision standards.
The following document explains the reasoning behind each rule change and the alternatives that were considered:
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 June 3, 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 to comment.
Public Hearing: A public hearing for the proposed changes will be held virtually on June 10, 2025, at 8 a.m. Meeting access as follows:
Virtual
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 288 870 455 934
Passcode: sa3W34nD
Dial in by phone
+1 564-999-2000,,943883842# United States, Olympia
(833) 322-1218,,943883842# United States (Toll-free)
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 943 883 842#
In-Person Location
Department of Health
Town Center 2, Rm 153
111 Israel Rd. S.E.
Tumwater, WA 98501
Emergency Rulemaking
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:
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)
The following document includes the official proposed rule language:
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: The public comment period for this rules package ended on April 22, 2025. Stay tuned for information on the final filing of the proposed rules.