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Find out how we create and change rules related to licensing.
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Read our rulemaking definitions for the terms we use when working on rules.
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Our semiannual rulemaking agenda is the current list of rule changes that we're considering. We update it twice a year.
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List of rulemaking activity
Professional and business licensing program fees
- All business and professional licensing
Completed
Current rule(s)
Licensing, Department of (Title 308 WAC: Department of Licensing)
Summary
We plan to increase fees for some professional and business licenses to help pay for the programs that issue them.
Current step
October 21, 2022
Rule change adopted
Public hearing or comments
Public hearing held October 11, 2022
- Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 7 minutes) - Audio transcript
Data sharing practices
- Public records and data privacy
Completed
Current rule(s)
Data sharing (Chapter 308-10A WAC)
Summary
We're creating new rules around data sharing practices. These will clarify SSB 5152, a law passed during the 2021 legislative session.
Current step
September 7, 2023
New rule adopted
Public hearing or comments
Public hearing held July 31, 2023
- Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 9 minutes) - Audio transcript
Public records disclosure and fees
- Public records and data privacy
Completed
Current rule(s)
Public records disclosure (Chapter 308-10 WAC); Disclosure of names and addresses of individual vessel owners (Chapter 308-93-087 WAC)
Summary
We're updating rules based on the requirements of the Public Records Act, chapter 42.56 RCW. These rules give full access to public records about government conduct while respecting individuals' privacy rights. A 2017 update to RCW 42.56.120 clarified and expanded what agencies may charge for creating copies of records. We're adopting those 2017 changes as rules and updating the rules to match our current processes.
Current step
April 6, 2023
Rule change adopted
Public hearing or comments
Public hearing held February 21, 2023
- Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 11 minutes) - Audio transcript
Whitewater river outfitter licensing fees
- All business and professional licensing
- Whitewater river outfitters
Completed
Current rule(s)
Fees (308-312-060 WAC)
Summary
We're increasing our fees to cover the costs of running the whitewater river outfitter program.
Current step
November 30, 2022
Rule change adopted
Public hearing or comments
Public hearing held November 29, 2022
- Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 3 minutes) - Audio transcript
Timeshare licensing fees
- All business and professional licensing
- Timeshares
Completed
Current rule(s)
Timeshare fees (308-127-160 WAC)
Summary
We're increasing our fees to cover the costs of running the timeshare program.
Current step
April 27, 2023
Rule change adopted
Public hearing or comments
Public hearing held April 25, 2023
- Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 3 minutes)
Scrap metal business licensing fees
- All business and professional licensing
- Scrap metal
Completed
Current rule(s)
Fees (Chapter 308-70-130 WAC)
Summary
We're increasing our fees to cover the costs of running the scrap metal business program.
Current step
November 30, 2022
Rule change adopted
Public hearing or comments
Public hearing held November 28, 2022
- Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 3 minutes) - Audio transcript
Real estate broker education and license renewals
- All business and professional licensing
- Real estate
In progress
Current rule(s)
Broker first active renewal (WAC 308-124A-785); Continuing education clock hour requirements (WAC 308-124A-790); Course titles reserved for prescribed curriculum courses (WAC 308-124H-810); General requirements for course approval (WAC 308-124H-820); Secondary education provider course content approval application (WAC 308-124H-825)
Summary
We're proposing rules requiring new and current real estate licensees to take instructional courses about fair housing and preventing unfair housing practices. We'll be responsible for providing the curriculum. The proposed rules would add the fair housing course to the current rules, edit the rules to be clearer, create new requirements for licensees, and subject licensees to audits.
Current step
July 6, 2022
Rule change proposed
Real estate licensing and education fees
- All business and professional licensing
- Real estate
Completed
Current rule(s)
Real estate fees (WAC 308-124A-775); Real estate course, school, and instructor approval fees (WAC 308-124H-990)
Summary
We're increasing our fees to cover the costs of running the real estate program.
Current step
August 2, 2021
Rule change adopted
Remote notarization
- All business and professional licensing
- Notaries public
Completed
Current rule(s)
Notaries public (WAC 308-30)
Summary
We're changing our rules to allow licensed Washington notaries to perform remote notarization under SB 5641, a law passed during the 2019 legislative session.
Current step
February 11, 2021
Rule change adopted
Public hearing or comments
Public hearing held February 9, 2021
- Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 12 minutes) - Audio transcript
Limousine vehicle requirements
- All business and professional licensing
- Limousines
Completed
Current rule(s)
Definitions (308-83-10 WAC)
Summary
We're decreasing the wheelbase requirement for executive sedans and SUVs as well as the passenger requirements for executive vans. This means that more modern vehicles will now meet the definition of a limousine.
Current step
April 6, 2023
Rule change adopted
Public hearing or comments
Public hearing held April 4, 2023
- Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 15 minutes) - Audio transcript