Title 18 — Title 18 BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS

The legislature takes note of the burgeoning number of bills proposed to regulate new health and health-related professions and occupations. The legislature further recognizes the number of allied health professions seeking independent practice. Potentially at least one hundred f…

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.(1) To "credential" means to license, certify, or register an applicant.(2) "Department" means the department of health.(3) "Secretary" means the secretary of health or th…

(1) The three levels of professional credentialing as defined in chapter 18.120 RCW are:(a) Registration, which is the least restrictive, and requires formal notification of the department of health identifying the practitioner, and does not require qualifying examinations;(b) Ce…

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict:(1) The practice by an individual licensed, certified, or registered under the laws of this state and performing services within the authorized scope of practice;(2) The practice by an individual employed by the g…

In addition to any other authority provided by law, the secretary has the authority to:(1) Adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW necessary to implement this chapter;(2) Establish all credentialing, examination, and renewal fees in accordance with RCW 43.70.250;(3) Establish forms a…

The secretary shall keep an official record of all proceedings. A part of the record shall consist of a register of all applicants for credentialing under this chapter and the results of each application.[ 1991 c 3 s 261; 1987 c 150 s 66.]

(1) The secretary has the authority to appoint advisory committees to further the purposes of this chapter. Each such committee shall be composed of five members, one member initially appointed for a term of one year, two for a term of two years, and two for a term of three years…

(1) The secretary shall issue a license or certificate, as appropriate, to any applicant who demonstrates to the secretary's satisfaction that the following requirements have been met:(a) Graduation from an educational program approved by the secretary or successful completion of…

The secretary shall establish by rule the standards and procedures for approval of educational programs and alternative training. The secretary may utilize or contract with individuals or organizations having expertise in the profession or in education to assist in the evaluation…

(1) The date and location of examinations shall be established by the secretary. Applicants shall be scheduled for the next examination following the filing of the application. The secretary shall establish by rule the examination application deadline.(2) The secretary or the sec…

Applications for credentialing shall be submitted on forms provided by the secretary. The secretary may require any information and documentation which reasonably relates to the need to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria for credentialing provided for in this chap…

The secretary shall waive the examination and credential a person authorized to practice within the state of Washington if the secretary determines that the person meets commonly accepted standards of education and experience for the profession. This section applies only to those…

An applicant holding a credential in another state may be credentialed to practice in this state without examination if the secretary determines that the other state's credentialing standards are substantially equivalent to the standards in this state.[ 1991 c 3 s 266; 1987 c 150…

The secretary shall establish by rule the procedural requirements and fees for renewal of a credential. Failure to renew shall invalidate the credential and all privileges granted by the credential. If a license or certificate has lapsed for a period longer than three years, the …

The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, shall govern the issuance and denial of credentials, unauthorized practice, and the discipline of persons credentialed under this chapter. The secretary shall be the disciplining authority under this chapter.[ 1991 c 3 s 268; 1987…

This chapter only applies to a business or profession regulated under the laws of this state if this chapter is specifically referenced in the laws regulating that business or profession.[ 1987 c 150 s 76.]

Pursuant to RCW 48.165.030 and 48.165.035, the secretary or his or her designee shall participate in the work groups and, within funds appropriated specifically for this purpose, implement the standards to enable the department to transmit data to and receive data from the unifor…

Section captions as used in this chapter do not constitute any part of the law.[ 1987 c 150 s 77.]

If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.[ 1987 c 150 s 80.]