Current rulemaking activity

Law judge titles

  • Driver licensing
    • Hearings
Completed

Current rule(s)

We updated references to hearing examiners, after they were renamed to law judges in July 2025.

Current step

April 22, 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

Personalized license plate approvals and denials

  • Vehicle and boat registration
    • License plates
In progress

Current rule(s)

WAC 308-96A-065 Personalized License Plates

We're proposing rule changes to clarify the process of cancelling personalized license plate requests. The goal is to have a more equitable and consistent process for approving or denying personalized license plates.

Current step

April 22, 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.

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.

Electronic documentation for disabled parking permits

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

Current rule(s)

We're defining requirements for healthcare professionals when using electronic documentation to request special parking privileges for persons with disabilities.

Current step

April 1, 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.

Professional conduct of attorneys during administrative hearings

  • Driver licensing
    • Hearings
Completed

Current rule(s)

We created new rules governing the professional conduct of attorneys appearing before the agency during administrative proceedings.

Current step

March 24, 2026

New rule adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on January 7, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) devices

  • Driver licensing
In progress

Current rule(s)

Title 308 WAC: Department of Licensing

We're creating rules governing intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices. These rules will establish requirements, eligibility criteria, application processes, and licensing terms concerning ISA devices.

Current step

March 4, 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.

Scrap metal fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Scrap metal
Completed

Current rule(s)

WAC 308-70-130 - Fees

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

Current step

March 11, 2026

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

Abandoned recreational vehicle (RV) processing

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

  • Abandoned recreational vehicle - Criteria and required information (WAC 308-61-195)
  • Abandoned recreational vehicle - Application and review (WAC 308-61-197)
  • Abandoned recreational vehicle - Reimbursements (WAC 308-61-203)
  • Abandoned recreational vehicle - Rates and caps (WAC 308-61-215)

We implemented rulemaking to improve the efficiency of the Abandoned RV program. We removed unnecessary barriers for our processing partners.

Current step

February 23, 2026

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing for this rulemaking activity on January 29, 2026.

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.

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