List of rulemaking activity

Landscape architect licensing fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Landscape architects
Completed

Current rule(s)

Fees (WAC 308-13-150)

We're increasing our fees to cover the costs of running the landscape architect program.

Current step

October 20, 2022

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held November 22, 2022

Limousine vehicle requirements

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Limousines
Completed

Current rule(s)

Definitions (308-83-10 WAC)

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

Real estate records and responsibilities

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Real estate
Completed

Current rule(s)

Real Estate - Records and Responsibilities (Chapter 308-124C WAC)

We clarified the required documentation related to broker price opinions.

Current step

June 13, 2024

New rule adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on May 23, 2024.

Previous public hearings

We held a listening session with stakeholders on March 18, 2024.

Deterring catalytic converter theft

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Vehicle and boat dealers
    • Vehicle manufacturers
In progress

Current rule(s)

Motor vehicle dealers and manufacturers (Chapter 308-66 WAC)

We're proposing a new rule to clarify requirements for vehicle dealers when marking catalytic converters prior to sale.

Current step

October 2, 2024

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

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

Real estate appraiser fees and charges

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Appraisers
    • Real estate
Completed

Current rule(s)

Fees and charges (Chapter 308-125-120 WAC)

We're proposing an increase to fees for real estate appraisers. Current fees aren't enough to cover program costs. The law requires us to review program budgets and set fees to cover administration costs. The licensing fees we collect are the only source of funds that cover program costs.

We continue to look into ways to reduce budget gaps while minimizing the impact on our licensees. For example, we replaced travel for board meetings and investigations with virtual options, where possible. This reduces travel costs for rental space, lodging, meals, staffing, mileage and more.

Current step

September 19, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held public hearings for this rulemaking activity on August 28, 2024 and September 18, 2024.

Scrap metal wrecker application and fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Scrap metal
Completed

Current rule(s)

We're creating new licensing rules for vehicle wreckers and scrap metal businesses. The rules adopt a $500 catalytic converter inspection fee. These licensees must pay the fee when applying for or renewing their license. The new fee is required by a law passed during the 2024 legislative session.

Current step

June 20, 2024

Rule change adopted

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

Professional licenses for military spouses

  • All business and professional licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Military spouse requesting an expedited processing (WAC 308-09-015); Military spouse licensing - Equivalency to Washington standards and temporary licensing (308-09-020)

We're changing rules for expedited licensing and timelines for temporary licensing for military spouses. This change follows E2SHB 1009, a law passed during the 2023 legislative session.

Current step

August 22, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

No public hearing was held.

Funeral and cemetery licensing and renewals

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Funerals and cemeteries
Completed

Current rule(s)

Operator licensure for those who conduct cremations, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction (WAC 308-47-090); Final disposition permit application procedure (WAC 308-47A-030); Renewal of licenses - Funeral directors, embalmers, funeral director interns and embalmer interns (WAC 308-48-180)

We're updating rules to follow a new law that changes renewal dates for cemetery certificates, prearrangement sales licenses, funeral directors, embalmers, and reduction facility operators.

Current step

September 20, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

No public hearing was held.

Geologist licensing fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Geologists
Completed

Current rule(s)

Fees (WAC 308-15-150)

We're increasing our fees to cover the costs of running the geologist program.

Current step

October 20, 2022

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held October 11, 2022

Cosmetology exam referrals

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Cosmetologists
Completed

Current rule(s)

Student credit for training in a licensed school (Chapter 308-20-090 WAC)

We removed the requirement for cosmetology schools to refer students for exams. You can now register for or take the exam if you're within 100 hours of completing the required coursework.

Current step

August 8, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

No public hearing was held.

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Learn more about rulemaking

Learn how we make rules

Find out how we create and change rules related to licensing.

Understand the terms we use

Read our rulemaking definitions for the terms we use when working on rules.

See our semiannual rulemaking agenda

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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