Rulemaking

See which rules we're working on now, learn about the rulemaking process, and find out how to participate.

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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Email RulesCoordinator@dol.wa.gov to comment on a rule.

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List of rulemaking activity

Business and professional licensing fees (06L Account)

All business and professional licensing
- Auctioneers
- Bail bonds
- Camping resorts
- Combative sports
- Cosmetologists
- Court reporters
- Employment agencies
- Home inspectors
- Notaries public
- Private investigators
- Security guards
- Tattoos, piercing, body art
- Timeshares

Withdrawn

Current rule(s)

Auctioneer fees (WAC 308-11-030)
Bail bond recovery agent, bail bond agency, branch office and bail bond agent fees (WAC 308-19-130)
Body art, body piercing, and tattooing fees (WAC 308-22-050)
Camping resorts fees and charges (WAC 308-420-240)
Cosmetology fees (WAC 308-20-210)
Court reporter fees (WAC 308-14-200)
Employment agency fees (WAC 308-33-105)
Home inspector fees (WAC 308-408A-090)
Notaries public application fees (WAC 308-30-060

Notaries public fees for notarial acts (308-30-220)
Private investigative agency, private investigator, and armed private investigator fees (WAC 308-17-150)
Private security guard company, private security guard, and armed private security guard fees (WAC 308-18-150)
Professional and amateur martial arts license fees, renewals and requirements (WAC 36-14-110)
Professional boxing license fees, renewals and requirements (WAC 36-12-195)
Timeshare fees (WAC 308-127-160)
Wrestling license fees, renewals and requirements (WAC 36-13-010)

Summary

We're required to set fees for each professional, occupational, or business licensing program. The fees must be enough to balance the costs of running these programs. Current fees for certain programs funded by the 06L account (Business and Professions Account) aren't enough to support them.

Current step

October 24, 2024

Rule change withdrawn

Preproposal documents

Public hearing or comments

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

Temporary rules for online cosmetology training

All business and professional licensing
- Cosmetologists

Emergency rule

Current rule(s)

Definitions (WAC 308-20-010)

Summary

We're temporarily allowing cosmetology schools to offer up to 75% of their training online, up from 50%. This change will give schools more flexibility to safely accommodate students and staff during COVID-19.

Current step

November 19, 2020

Rule change adopted

Proposed rule documents

Proposed rule

Adopted rule documents

Emergency rulemaking order

Public hearing or comments

See the emergency rulemaking order for information about submitting comments.

Expiration dates for cosmetology student hours

All business and professional licensing
- Cosmetologists

Emergency rule

Current rule(s)

Student credit for training in a licensed school (WAC 308-20-090); Student credit for training in a licensed salon/shop (WAC 308-20-091); Apprentice credit for training in an approved apprentice salon/shop (WAC 308-20-101)

Summary

If your cosmetology student hours would expire between March 18, 2020 and September 30, 2020, they will instead expire on September 30, 2020. This will allow you to take the test before your hours expire.

Current step

July 31, 2020

Rule change adopted

Proposed rule documents

Proposed rule

Adopted rule documents

Emergency rulemaking order

Public hearing or comments

See the emergency rulemaking order for information about submitting comments.

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)

Summary

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

Adopted rule documents

Public hearing or comments

No public hearing was held.