WAC 388-14A-6105

(1) In an administrative hearing involving the DSHS division of child support (DCS), the administrative law judge (ALJ) enters either an initial order, which is subject to review by the DSHS board of appeals (BOA), or a final order, which is not subject to review by BOA.

(2) The terms "initial order","final order", and "review" are defined in WAC 388-02-0010, and those definitions are paraphrased here for ease of reference:

(a) "Initial order" is a hearing decision made by an ALJ that may be reviewed by a BOA review judge under WAC 388-02-0215(4). An initial order is sometimes called an "initial decision."

(b) "Final order" means an order that is the final DSHS decision.

(c) "Review" means the act of reviewing initial orders and making the final agency decision as provided by RCW 34.05.464.

(3) WAC 388-14A-6110 and 388-14A-6115 describe how to determine what kind of order is entered. Whether the ALJ enters an initial order or a final order does not depend on the date the hearing is held or the date the order is entered.

(4) WAC 388-14A-6120 describes what you can do if you disagree with an initial order or final order.

(5) WAC 388-14A-6125 describes when DCS may take enforcement action on an initial order or final order.