List of rulemaking activity

Notaries public, employment agencies, timeshares, and camping resorts gender inclusivity

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Notaries public
    • Employment agencies
    • Timeshares
    • Camping resorts
In progress

Current rule(s)

We're updating rule language for gender inclusivity.

Current step

December 3, 2025

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're conducting 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

Gendered language in combative sports rules

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Combative sports
Completed

Current rule(s)

We conducted expedited rulemaking to remove gendered language from our combative sports rules. This rulemaking is in response to a public rulemaking petition.

Current step

December 17, 2025

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

Scrap metal fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Scrap metal
In progress

Current rule(s)

WAC 308-70-130 - Fees

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

Current step

December 18, 2025

Rule change proposed

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

Submit your comments online

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're updating existing rules on cosmetology training requirements for textured hair. The updated rule will apply to all cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, and hair designers. They must complete the training before getting licensed.

Current step

December 18, 2025

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're holding a public hearing on this rulemaking on January 27, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Join the hearing via Zoom
Meeting ID: 810 5430 0707
Passcode: 962247
One tap mobile +12532158782,,81054300707#,,, ,*962247# (US, Tacoma) or +12532050468,,81054300707#,,, ,*962247# (US, toll-free)

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 your comments online

Ignition Interlock Device (IID) exemption

  • Driver licensing
    • Suspensions
Completed

Current rule(s)

We conducted rulemaking concerning impaired driving. This change removed the self-employed exemption around obtaining an ignition interlock device (IID). This implements changes required by HB 1493, passed in the 2024 legislative session.

Current step

December 18, 2025

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

Law judge titles

  • Driver licensing
    • Hearings
In progress

Current rule(s)

We're updating references to hearing examiners, after they were renamed to law judges in July 2025. We're also making corrections to language and using more inclusive pronouns.

Current step

December 18, 2025

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're conducting 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

Submit your comments online

Terminating suspensions

  • Driver licensing
    • Suspensions
Completed

Current rule(s)

We conducted rulemaking to clarify the process for terminating a suspension resulting from accumulated traffic infractions.

Current step

November 21, 2025

New rule adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on November 4, 2025.

Professional conduct of attorneys during administrative hearings

  • Driver licensing
    • Hearings
In progress

Current rule(s)

We're creating new rules to govern the professional conduct of attorneys appearing before the agency during administrative proceedings.

Current step

November 21, 2025

New rule proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're holding a public hearing on this rulemaking activity on January 7, 2026, at 11 a.m.
Join the hearing on Zoom
Meeting ID: 830 2886 3975
Passcode: 663570

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 your comments online

Bail bond, private investigator, and security guard gender inclusivity

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Bail bonds
    • Private investigators
    • Security guards
In progress

Current rule(s)

We're updating rule language for gender inclusivity.

Current step

November 5, 2025

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're conducting 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

Submit your comments online

Personalized license plates

  • Vehicle and boat registration
    • License plates
In progress

Current rule(s)

WAC 308-96A-065 Personalized license plates

We're conducting rulemaking to clarify rule language. We're updating the term "lifestyle" in relation to denials or cancellations of applications for a personalized license plate.

Current step

November 5, 2025

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're conducting 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

Submit comments online

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