Current rulemaking activity

Inclusive language in driver license rules

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

We updated these rules based on petitions we received from the public requesting inclusive pronoun use.

Current step

August 7, 2026

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

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

Notary public electronic records

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Notaries public
In progress

Current rule(s)

Chapter 308-30 WAC, Notaries Public

We're adopting rules to reflect new services notaries can provide. We're also defining methods for confirming record identities and addressing the creation of duplicate originals.

Current step

April 22, 2026

Intent to create a new rule

Public hearing or comments

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

We held a partner engagement session on August 10, 2026.

Dishonored payments

  • Vehicle and boat registration
    • Vehicle records
In progress

Current rule(s)

Chapter 308-04 WAC General Provisions

We're updating language around dishonored payments. We're doing this to better reflect current practices and make pronoun and other grammar updates.

Current step

August 5, 2026

Intent to create a new rule

Public hearing or comments

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

Free or limited-fee license plate replacements

  • Vehicle and boat registration
    • License plates
In progress

Current rule(s)

Chapter 308-96A WAC (Vehicle licensing)

We're proposing rules to create a new definition for “defective” license plates. We're also creating the processes and fees for free or reduced-cost plate replacements.

Current step

August 5, 2026

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're holding a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on September 10, 2026 at 3:15 p.m.

Join the hearing via Zoom
Meeting chat link
Meeting ID: 424 612 1932
Passcode: 101765
One tap mobile: +12532050468,,4246121932#, ,,,*101765# (US) or +12532158782,,4246121932#, ,,,*101765# (US, Tacoma)
Join by SIP: 4246121932@zoomcrc.com (Get instructions for joining by SIP)

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 Highways and Licensing Building, located at:

1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501
Map and directions

Submit comments online

Undercover and confidential license plates

  • Vehicle and boat registration
    • License plates
Emergency rule

Current rule(s)

We're conducting emergency rulemaking to clarify the department's authority to deny, cancel, or refuse to renew confidential and undercover license plates based on the conduct of units for local government, state departments, agencies and officials, and federal departments and agencies.

Current step

August 5, 2026

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're holding a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on September 14, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.

Join the hearing via Zoom
Join the hearing chat
Meeting ID: 899 9246 0071
Passcode: 907007
One tap mobile: +12532158782,,89992460071#,,,,*907007# (US, toll free) or +12532050468,,89992460071#,,,,*907007# (US, Tacoma)
Join by SIP: 89992460071@zoomcrc.com (Join by SIP instructions)

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 Highways and Licensing Building, located at:

1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501
Map and directions

Submit comments online

Electronic documentation for disabled parking permits

  • Driver licensing
    • Disabled parking permits
  • Vehicle and boat registration
    • License plates
Completed

Current rule(s)

We updated rules to clarify the process for special parking privilege authorization. Health care providers can give special parking privilege authorization electronically or on office letterhead/prescription paper. The updated rules also allow copies of signatures from both the health care provider and the applicant when on letterhead.

Current step

July 24, 2026

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on July 23, 2026.

Home inspector standards of practice

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Home inspectors
Completed

Current rule(s)

We updated definitions and standards of practice related to home inspectors. The Washington State Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board requested this change.

Current step

July 7, 2026

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on June 25, 2026.

Cosmetology training requirements for textured hair

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Cosmetologists
Completed

Current rule(s)

We updated existing rules for cosmetology training requirements for textured hair. The update applies to all cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, and hair designers.

Current step

July 2, 2026

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on June 23, 2026.

Professional industry licensing fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Appraisers
    • Architects
    • Camping resorts
    • Employment agencies
    • Funerals and cemeteries
    • Geologists
    • Landscape architects
    • Limousines
    • Notaries public
    • Real estate
    • Security guards
    • Sellers of travel
    • Tattoos, piercing, body art
    • Telephone solicitors
    • Timeshares
    • Whitewater river outfitters
In progress

Current rule(s)

We're considering splitting fees for a variety of professional industries. This helps to clarify the cost of processing and issuing licenses.

Current step

July 1, 2026

Intent to change a rule

Public hearing or comments

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

Professional licensing fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Appraisal management companies
    • Auctioneers
    • Bail bonds
    • Collection agencies
    • Combative sports
    • Cosmetologists
    • Court reporters
    • Private investigators
    • Scrap metal
    • Security guards
    • Uniform Commercial Code
In progress

Current rule(s)

We're considering increasing fees for several professional licensing groups. We're also considering splitting fees to clarify the cost of processing and issuing licenses.

Current step

July 1, 2026

Intent to change a rule

Public hearing or comments

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

Was this information helpful?