Title 18 — Title 18 BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Department" means the department of health.(2) "Recreation therapy" means the use of recreational, and/or community activities to include leisure counseling and commun…

No person may practice or represent oneself as a registered recreational therapist by use of any title without being registered to practice by the department of health, unless otherwise exempted by this chapter.[ 2002 c 216 s 3.]

Nothing in this chapter may 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 gov…

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 registration and renewal fees in accordance with RCW 43.70.250;(3) Establish forms and procedures n…

The secretary must keep an official record of all proceedings. A part of the record shall consist of a register of all applicants for registration under this chapter and the results of each application.[ 2002 c 216 s 6.]

(1) Applicants for registration under this chapter are subject to the grounds for denial of a registration under chapter 18.130 RCW.(2) The secretary must issue a registration to an applicant who completes an application form that identifies the name and address of the applicant,…

Applications for registration must be submitted on forms provided by the secretary. The secretary may require any information and documentation that reasonably relates to the need to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria for registration provided for in this chapter …

The secretary must establish by rule the procedural requirements and fees for renewal of a registration. Failure to renew invalidates the registration and all privileges granted by the registration.[ 2002 c 216 s 9.]

The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs the issuance and denial of a registration, unauthorized practice, and the discipline of persons registered under this chapter. The secretary is the disciplining authority under this chapter.[ 2002 c 216 s 10.]

This act takes effect July 1, 2003.[ 2002 c 216 s 14.]

The legislature intends to:(1) Recognize that music therapy affects public health, safety, and welfare and that the practice of music therapy should be subject to regulation;(2) Assure the highest degree of professional conduct on the part of music therapists;(3) Guarantee the av…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Advisory committee" means the music therapy advisory committee.(2) "Commission" means the Washington medical commission.(3) "Department" means the department of health…

(1) A music therapy advisory committee is created within the department. The committee consists of five members as follows: Three who practice as music therapists in Washington state, one member who is a licensed health care provider but not a music therapist, and one member who …

The department shall issue a license to practice music therapy to an applicant who meets the following requirements:(1) Is at least 18 years of age;(2) Is in good standing in any other states [state] where the applicant is licensed or certified to practice music therapy;(3) Submi…

Every license issued under this chapter must be renewed biennially. Each licensee is responsible for timely renewal of the licensee's license. To renew a license, a licensee must follow the rules adopted under RCW 43.70.280.[ 2023 c 175 s 5.]

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2363-S.SL) ***(1) Beginning January 1, 2025, a person may not practice music therapy or use any title or designation of "music therapist" that indicates that the person is authorized to practice music therapy unless the person is licensed under chapter…

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. Any rules adopted shall be in consultation with the committee;(2) Establish all licensing, examination, and renewal …

(1) The department shall establish and adopt rules governing the administration of this chapter in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.(2) The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of a license, and the discipline of pers…

It is the intent of the legislature to consolidate disciplinary procedures for the licensed businesses and professions under the department of licensing by providing a uniform disciplinary act with standardized procedures for the regulation of businesses and professions and the e…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Board" means those boards specified in RCW 18.235.020(2)(b).(2) "Department" means the department of licensing.(3)(a) "Director" means the:(i) Executive director of th…

(1) This chapter applies only to the director and the boards and commissions having jurisdiction in relation to the businesses and professions licensed under the chapters specified in this section. This chapter does not apply to any business or profession not licensed under the c…

The disciplinary authority has the power to:(1) Adopt, amend, and rescind rules as necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, rules regarding standards of professional conduct and practice;(2) Investigate complaints or reports of unprofess…

The director has the following additional authority:(1) To employ investigative, administrative, and clerical staff as necessary for the enforcement of this chapter, except as provided otherwise by statute;(2) Upon request of a board or commission, to appoint not more than three …

(1) If the disciplinary authority determines, upon investigation, that there is reason to believe that a license holder or applicant for a license has violated RCW 18.235.130 or has not met a minimum eligibility criteria for licensure, the disciplinary authority may prepare and s…

The procedures governing adjudicative proceedings before agencies under chapter 34.05 RCW, the administrative procedure act, govern all hearings before the disciplinary authority. The disciplinary authority has, in addition to the powers and duties set forth in this chapter, all …

The department shall not issue a license to any person whose license has been previously denied, revoked, or suspended by the disciplinary authority for that profession or business, except in conformity with the terms and conditions of the certificate or order of denial, revocati…

An order pursuant to proceedings authorized by this chapter, after due notice and findings in accordance with this chapter and chapter 34.05 RCW, or an order of summary suspension entered under this chapter, takes effect immediately upon its being served. The final order, if appe…

A person who has been disciplined or has been denied a license by a disciplinary authority may appeal the decision as provided in chapter 34.05 RCW.[ 2007 c 256 s 16; 2002 c 86 s 110.]

A person whose license has been suspended or revoked under this chapter may petition the disciplinary authority for reinstatement after an interval of time and upon conditions determined by the disciplinary authority in the order suspending or revoking the license. The disciplina…

(1) Upon finding unprofessional conduct, except as provided in RCW 9.97.020, the disciplinary authority may issue an order providing for one or any combination of the following:(a) Revocation of the license for an interval of time;(b) Suspension of the license for a fixed or inde…

Where payment of a fine is required as a result of a disciplinary action under RCW 18.235.060 or 18.235.150 and timely payment is not made as directed in the final order, the disciplinary authority may enforce the order for payment in the superior court in the county in which the…

The following conduct, acts, or conditions constitute unprofessional conduct for any license holder or applicant under the jurisdiction of this chapter:(1) The commission of any act involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption relating to the practice of the person's prof…

If a person or business regulated by this chapter violates or fails to comply with a final order issued under RCW 18.235.130, the attorney general, any prosecuting attorney, the director, the board or commission, or any other person may maintain an action in the name of the state…

(1) The disciplinary authority may investigate complaints concerning practice by unlicensed persons of a profession or business for which a license is required by the chapters specified in RCW 18.235.020. In the investigation of the complaints, the director has the same authority…

A person or business that violates an injunction issued under this chapter may be found in contempt of court under RCW 7.21.010. Upon a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction that the person or business is in contempt, the court may order any remedial sanction as authorized…

A person who attempts to obtain, obtains, or attempts to maintain a license by willful misrepresentation or fraudulent representation is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.[ 2002 c 86 s 118.]

If the disciplinary authority has reason to believe that a license holder has committed a crime, or violated the laws of another regulatory body, the disciplinary authority may notify the attorney general or the county prosecuting attorney in the county in which the act took plac…

The director, members of the boards or commissions, or individuals acting on their behalf are immune from suit in any action, civil or criminal, based on any disciplinary actions or other official acts performed in the course of their duties.[ 2002 c 86 s 120.]

This chapter does not affect the use of records, obtained from the director or the disciplinary authorities, in any existing investigation or action by any public agency. Nor does this chapter limit any existing exchange of information between the director or the disciplinary aut…

(1) This chapter applies to any conduct, acts, or conditions occurring on or after January 1, 2003.(2) This chapter does not apply to or govern the construction of and disciplinary action for any conduct, acts, or conditions occurring prior to January 1, 2003. The conduct, acts, …

See RCW 42.45.270.

This chapter may be known and cited as the uniform regulation of business and professions act.[ 2002 c 86 s 123.]

Sections 101 through 123 of this act take effect January 1, 2003.[ 2002 c 86 s 124.]

Part headings used in this act are not any part of the law.[ 2002 c 86 s 402.]

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.[ 2002 c 86 s 404.]

The certification of animal massage therapists is in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare. While veterinarians and certain massage therapists may perform animal massage techniques, the legislature finds that meeting all of the requirements of those professions c…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Board" means the veterinary board of governors established in chapter 18.92 RCW.(2) "Certified animal massage therapist" means an individual who provides external mani…

No person may practice as a certified animal massage therapist in this state without having a certification issued by the secretary unless he or she is exempt under RCW 18.240.040.[ 2016 c 41 s 21; 2007 c 70 s 3.]Notes:Effective date—2016 c 41: See note following RCW 18.108.010.

The secretary shall issue a certificate to any applicant who demonstrates that the following requirements have been met:(1) Successful completion of a training program approved by the secretary that includes three hundred hours of instruction in general animal massage techniques,…

Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prohibit or restrict:(1) The practice of veterinary medicine by those who are in compliance with chapter 18.92 RCW;(2) The practice of animal massage by those who are in compliance with chapter 18.108 RCW;(3) The practice of animal mass…