WSR 99-03-064

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed January 18, 1999, 2:11 p.m.]



Date of Adoption: January 4, 1999.

Purpose: To adopt rules which explain the application and examination requirements for midwifery as well as the process of releasing scores and the procedure if an applicant fails the examination. Amendments will change the licensure exam to adopt the national exam developed by the North American Registry of Midwives. This examination is more cost-effective and accepted by other states.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-834-060, 246-834-070, and 246-834-080.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.50.060.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 98-23-072 on November 17, 1998.

Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: The rules now in effect indicate a passing score of 75. This was removed from the proposed rules. This is being restored by adding the following to WAC 246-834-070(1), "The minimum passing score for both the NARM examination and the state specific component examination is 75."

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, amended 3, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, amended 3, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

January 11, 1999

Kristine Van Gorkom

Deputy Secretary

OTS-2512.4

NEW SECTION



WAC 246-834-050  Examination requirements for licensure as a midwife. This rule provides the minimum examination requirements for licensure as a midwife.

(1) The midwifery examination offered by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) is the official examination for midwifery licensure. All applicants must complete this examination with a passing score. This examination shall be offered by the department of health midwifery program twice a year. If the applicant passes the examination within two years prior to applying for a Washington license, the department will accept the results.

(2) In addition to the NARM examination, all applicants must pass the Washington state specific component examination.



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AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 98-05-060, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98)



WAC 246-834-060  Application ((for licensing examination)) requirements for licensure as a midwife. (((1) All applicants shall file a completed, notarized application, with the application fee specified in WAC 246-834-990, at least 45 days prior to the examination.

(2) Applicants shall request that the school of midwifery send an official transcript directly to the department of health.

(3) Those who have properly applied to take the midwifery licensing examination and have met all qualifications will be notified of their eligibility to be examined. Upon notification of eligibility, the examination fee specified in WAC 246-834-990 must be submitted. Only applicants so notified will be admitted to the examination.

(4) All applicants shall take the current state licensing examination for midwives.

(5) The minimum passing score on the licensing examination is 75 percent.

(6) Applicants must complete seven clock hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.)) This rule provides the requirements for application for a midwife license.

(1) All applicants must submit a Washington state application for licensure, along with the applicable fees specified in WAC 246-830-990 and additional documentation as specified below. Applications must be received fifty-six days prior to the examination.

(2) Applicants must submit the following documentation:

(a) Transcripts sent directly from an approved school which indicate the applicant has received a certificate or diploma in midwifery. Those applicants applying under WAC 246-834-220 will be exempted from this requirement.

(b) One current passport type photograph, signed and dated across the bottom of the photo or on the back.

(c) Proof of high school graduation or passing the general educational development test.

(d) A current plan for consultation, emergency transfer and transport.

(e) Verification of seven clock hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.

(f) Applicants with disabilities who wish to request special accommodations must do so when submitting their application.

(g) Applicants who have passed the NARM examination within the past two years must have verification of the examination results sent directly from NARM to the department.

(3) It is the applicant's responsibility to complete an application for the NARM examination and submit the application along with the NARM examination fee directly to NARM. A NARM application and instructions will be provided in the state application packet sent to the applicant.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. 98-05-060, § 246-834-060, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.50.135 and 18.50.045. 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-834-060, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-834-060, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.50.135. 82-19-079 (Order PL 406), § 308-115-060, filed 9/21/82.]



AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order 121, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91)



WAC 246-834-070  Release of examination results. (1) Applicants shall be notified of examination results. All notices shall be by mail. The minimum passing score for both the NARM examination and the Washington state specific component examination is 75.

(2) Applicants who pass both the NARM examination and the Washington state specific component examination and meet all eligibility requirements shall receive ((the results of the examination and instructions for obtaining)) a license to practice as a midwife, unless there are grounds for disciplinary action under chapter 18.130 RCW.

(3) Applicants who fail shall receive notice of their eligibility to be reexamined, and of the procedure for applying for reexamination.

(4) ((Each accredited school of midwifery shall receive a statistical report of the test results of applicants who graduated from that school.

(5))) Results of the examination will not be released to anyone except as provided above unless release is authorized by the applicant in writing.

(((6) The applicant's examination results will be maintained by the department.))



[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-834-070, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.50.135. 82-19-079 (Order PL 406), § 308-115-070, filed 9/21/82.]



AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order 224, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92)



WAC 246-834-080  Failures. (1) An applicant who has failed either the NARM examination or the Washington state specific component examination or both must retake and pass the examination(s) which he or she failed. The applicant may ((be reexamined)) sit for the examination if he((/)) or she:

(a) Applies to the department at least ((30)) fifty-six days prior to the next scheduled examination((,)); and

(b) Pays any required fee as specified in WAC 246-834-990.

(2) ((If an applicant fails his/her first examination, no additional fee will be required if the candidate is reexamined within one year. Applicants shall pay an examination fee determined by the secretary for examinations taken after the first reexamination.

(3))) Applicants who fail the second retest shall be required to submit evidence to the secretary of completion of an individualized program of study approved in advance by the department prior to ((being permitted to be reexamined)) retaking the examination.

(3) Applicants may have their examination hand-scored by submitting a request and appropriate fee directly to NARM within ninety days of the examination administration. A copy of their request must be sent to the department. The department will inform the applicant of the results of the hand-scored examination.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.50.135 and 18.50.045. 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-834-080, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-834-080, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.50.135. 82-19-079 (Order PL 406), § 308-115-080, filed 9/21/82.]

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