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
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
Completed
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 adopted
Public hearing or comments
Public hearing held June 8, 2022
Data sharing practices
- Public records and data privacy
- Driver licensing
- Vehicle and boat registration
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
Driver hearings correspondence
- Driver licensing
Completed
Current rule(s)
- Service on petitioner (WAC 308-101-060)
- Requests for hearing (WAC 308-101-080)
- Filing of exhibits and other documents with the department and calling expert witnesses (308-101-155)
- Reconsideration of final order (WAC 308-101-250)
- Significant decisions in driver license cases (WAC 308-101-260)
- Correspondence address (WAC 308-102-006)
Summary
We updated this rule to reflect the recent name change of the Hearings and Interviews Unit to the Administrative Law Office.
Current step
January 6, 2025
Rule change adopted
Public hearing or comments
Address requests
- Driver licensing
Completed
Current rule(s)
Address requests—Terms and fees (WAC 308-104-150)
Summary
We repealed this redundant rule. Records requests go through our public disclosure office.
Current step
December 11, 2024
Rule repealed
Public hearing or comments
If you object to this use of the expedited rulemaking process, you must submit your objection in writing.
Washington State Department of Licensing
1125 Washington St SE
Olympia, WA 98504
Applying for a driver license or ID card
- Driver licensing
Completed
Current rule(s)
Application for a driver's license or identicard (WAC 308-104-014)
Summary
We amended this rule to include a “responsible adult” as being eligible to sign on behalf of a minor for a driver license application. This is to comply with a bill passed in the 2024 legislative session (SB 5800).
Current step
December 11, 2024
Rule change adopted
Public hearing or comments
If you object to this use of the expedited rulemaking process, you must send your objections to us in writing.
Rules Coordinator
Washington State Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98504
Driver training schools
- All business and professional licensing
- Driver training schools
In progress
Current rule(s)
Driver training schools (Chapter 308-108 WAC)
Summary
We're changing the rules for driver training schools to align with the latest national standards. This means we’re updating what courses need to include and what instructors should know. We’re also getting rid of any old or unnecessary wording.
Current step
December 4, 2024
Intent to change a rule
Public hearing or comments
You can participate in this rulemaking activity by emailing us at rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov.
Fuel tax and proration investigations and appeals
- Prorate and fuel tax
In progress
Current rule(s)
Summary
These rules create a Fuel Tax Discovery Team. They'll define the scope of records requests and other investigation requirements for fuel tax licensees. The rules reflect changes to dyed diesel penalties. They allow assessment based on storage capacity and add repeater penalties for violations within a 5-year period. The rules make several technical changes. They'll remove “informal hearing” for “Review by Department”. They'll also add an Appeals chapter under aircraft fuel WACs.
Current step
November 5, 2024
Rule change proposed
Public hearing or comments
We're holding a public hearing for this rulemaking activity on December 11, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Join the hearing on Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 235 657 432 848
Passcode: nwth5d
Call in (audio only): +1-564-999-2000,,140744215# United States, Olympia
Phone conference ID: 140 744 215#
If you have trouble accessing the virtual meeting, call us at 360-902-3486 to request help. If you'd like to request an interpreter or other accommodations, you can email us at rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov. Please be sure to do this at least one week before the public hearing.
Note: We encourage hearing participants to attend in-person. If you attend virtually and have technical difficulties, you'll need to use the call-in option. The in-person attendance will take place at the our Business and Professions Division, located at:
405 Black Lake Blvd
Olympia, WA 98502
Map and directions
Recreational vehicle dealers and manufacturers
- All business and professional licensing
- Vehicle and boat dealers
- Vehicle manufacturers
Withdrawn
Current rule(s)
Summary
We considered creating new rules to fulfill the requirements of SHB 1996. This bill passed during the 2024 legislative session. The new rules would've covered the licensing, auditing, and regulatory oversight of recreational vehicle manufacturers and dealers.
Current step
May 22, 2024
Intent to create a new rule