List of rulemaking activity

Notaries public, employment agencies, timeshares, and camping resorts gender inclusivity

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Notaries public
    • Employment agencies
    • Timeshares
    • Camping resorts
Completed

Current rule(s)

We updated rule language for gender inclusivity.

Current step

February 3, 2026

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We conducted this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Cosmetology training requirements for textured hair

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Cosmetologists
In progress

Current rule(s)

Minimum instruction requirements for cosmetology, hair design, barbering, manicuring, esthetics and master esthetics training (WAC 308-20-080)

We planned on updated existing rules for cosmetology training requirements for textured hair. The updated rule would've applied to all cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, and hair designers.

Current step

January 15, 2026

Rule change withdrawn

Public hearing or comments

You can participate in this rulemaking activity by contacting us at rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov.

Scrap metal fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Scrap metal
In progress

Current rule(s)

WAC 308-70-130 - Fees

We're conducting rulemaking to remove the catalytic converter inspection fee. The fee set in statute doesn't include scrap metal businesses.

Current step

January 7, 2026

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're proposing this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Submit your comments online

Bail bond, private investigator, and security guard gender inclusivity

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Bail bonds
    • Private investigators
    • Security guards
Completed

Current rule(s)

We updated rule language for gender inclusivity.

Current step

January 6, 2026

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We conducted this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Gendered language in combative sports rules

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Combative sports
Completed

Current rule(s)

We conducted expedited rulemaking to remove gendered language from our combative sports rules. This rulemaking is in response to a public rulemaking petition.

Current step

December 17, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We proposed this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Fair housing training requirements

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Appraisers
    • Appraisal management companies
Completed

Current rule(s)

We conducted rulemaking to align with changes to the fair housing training requirements. The updated rule removes gendered language and provides clarity on inactive appraiser license fees.

Current step

October 21, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We conducted this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Places of business

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Vehicle and boat dealers
    • Vehicle manufacturers
Completed

Current rule(s)

Place of business and places of business (WAC 308-66-140)

We conducted expedited rulemaking to align this rule with RCW 46.70.083. The rule language appeared more restrictive to licensees than the law.

Current step

September 23, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We proposed this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Home inspector standards of practice

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Home inspectors
In progress

Current rule(s)

We're considering rulemaking to update definitions and standards of practice related to home inspectors. The Washington State Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board requested this change.

Current step

August 20, 2025

Intent to change a rule

Public hearing or comments

You can participate in this rulemaking activity by contacting us at rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov.

Real estate broker and managing broker licensing fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Real estate
Completed

Current rule(s)

Real estate fees (WAC 308-124A-775)

We conducted rulemaking to increase the fees for new and renewed real estate broker and managing broker licenses. The new rule increases the fee from $10 to $20. The purpose of this increase is to fund the Real Estate Research Center.

Current step

August 19, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We conducted this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Driver training schools

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Driver training schools
Completed

Current rule(s)

We changed the rules for driver training schools to align with the latest national standards. We updated what courses need to include and what instructors should know. We also got rid of any old or unnecessary wording.

Current step

June 13, 2025

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing for this rulemaking activity on May 6, 2025.

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