The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC) filed on September 17, 2021 a CR-101, Preproposal for WAC 246-840-365, 246-840-367, 246-840-533, and 246-840-930. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (commission) will consider amendments to specific credential and license requirements for Nurse Technicians (NT), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Registered Nurses (RN), and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP) in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the critical demand for healthcare professionals. The CR-101 Preproposal announces to the public that rule change language will be considered by the NCQAC. Public workshops to receive input from interested parties on the rules will be scheduled.
The commission first adopted emergency rules in response to COVID-19 on April 24, 2020, under WSR 20-10-014. The commission has continued to file emergency rules, the most recent filing occurred on September 17, 2021 under WSR 21-19-092. The emergency rules have been necessary for the preservation of public health, safety, and general welfare, including increasing and maintaining the availability of health care professionals to help treat and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The commission met on May 14, 2021 and decided emergency language not covered by other permanent rules should revert to the original language or be addressed in this separate rulemaking. Changes in WAC 246-840-365 and WAC 246-840-367 may be needed to remove barriers to license renewal for ARNPs returning to active practice from inactive or expired status. Changes to WAC 246-840-533 may be needed to remove barriers for NTs to become credentialed. A change to WAC 246-840-930 may be necessary to clarify training requirements. The commission is considering rulemaking to make permanent changes to current rules identified as a barrier to the provision of services both in emergency response and during regular operations. While permanent rulemaking is ongoing, the commission will continue to renew emergency rules applicable to NTs, LPNs, RNs, and ARNPs.
For more information, please contact:
Shad Bell
Assistant Director of Operations
Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
Washington State Department of Health
Shad.Bell@doh.wa.gov