List of rulemaking activity

Driver training schools

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Driver training schools
In progress

Current rule(s)

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

April 2, 2025

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're held a public hearing for this rulemaking activity on May 6, 2025.

Real estate broker and managing broker licensing fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Real estate
In progress

Current rule(s)

Real estate fees (WAC 308-124A-775)

We're considering rulemaking to increase the fees for new and renewed real estate broker and managing broker licenses. The proposed rule will increase the fee from $10 to $20. The purpose of this increase is to fund the Real Estate Research Center.

Current step

June 18, 2025

Rule change proposed

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

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)

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

Recreational vehicle dealers and manufacturers

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Vehicle and boat dealers
    • Vehicle manufacturers
Withdrawn

Current rule(s)

Title 308 WAC

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

Public hearing or comments

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

Semiautomatic assault rifle fee

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Firearms dealers
Completed

Current rule(s)

Semiautomatic assault rifle fee (WAC 308-500-010)

We removed the requirement for firearm dealers to charge a fee for semiautomatic assault rifle purchases. This change allows firearms dealers to charge a background check fee for the Secure Automated Firearm E-check system run by the Washington State Patrol.

Current step

March 26, 2024

Rule repealed

Public hearing or comments

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

Improving young driver safety

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Driver training schools
    • CDL training schools
    • Motorcycle training schools
Completed

Current rule(s)

We defined the process for training schools to submit required business information to the us. This rule applies to motorcycle safety, commercial driver license, and driver training schools. This is a requirement of SB 5583, which passed during the 2023 legislative session. We'll use this information to populate an interactive map on our website.

Current step

December 11, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing for this rulemaking activity on November 26, 2024.

Professional and business licensing program fees

  • All business and professional licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Licensing, Department of (Title 308 WAC: Department of Licensing)

We plan to increase fees for some professional and business licenses to help pay for the programs that issue them.

Current step

October 21, 2022

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held October 11, 2022

Fees for notarial acts

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Notaries public
Completed

Current rule(s)

Fees for notarial acts (308-30-220)

We raised the maximum fees a notary may charge for notarial acts from $10 to $15. This rule change is based on a petition and additional industry feedback.

Current step

May 22, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing for this rulemaking activity on May 21, 2024.

Alternative qualifications for appraisers

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Appraisers
Completed

Current rule(s)

Real estate appraisers (Chapter 308-125 WAC)

We aligned this rule with industry recommendations. The rule change gives real estate appraisers an alternative way to get licensed.

Current step

January 9, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing for this rulemaking activity on December 29, 2023.

Scrap metal business licensing fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Scrap metal
Completed

Current rule(s)

Fees (Chapter 308-70-130 WAC)

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

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