HB 2355 — Creating alternative professional licensing standards.

H-4354.1SUBSTITUTEH-3705.1HOUSE HOUSE BILL 2355State of Washington66th Legislature2020 Regular SessionByHouseSessionByRepresentatives ConsumerVick, ProtectionHoff, &Harris, BusinessGildon, (originallyand sponsoredVolzPrefiled by01/10/20.Read Representativesfirst Vick,time Hoff,01/13/20.Referred Harris,to Gildon,Committee andon Volz)READConsumer FIRSTProtection TIME& 01/31/20.ANBusiness.AN ACT Relating to alternative licensing standards of professional licenses;

adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW;

(ii) "Competency-based licensing requirement" may include, but is not limited to, any combination of training, experience, testing, or observation.(b) "Occupational license" means a license, certificate, registration, permit, or other form of authorization required by law or a state agency rule that must be obtained by an individual to engage in a particular occupation or profession which is regulated by the department of licensing.(3)licensing.--- ThisEND section--- does not apply when there is a reciprocity licensing agreement with a national organization in place to facilitate reciprocal professional licensing of an individual licensed in another state.NEW SECTION.  Sec.

3.

A new chapter is added to Title 18 RCW to read as follows:(1) The department of licensing may issue an occupational license, without regard to other requirements, to an applicant if the applicant meets all competency-based licensing requirements for a specific occupational license issued by the department.(2) For the purposes of this section:(a)(i) "Competency-based licensing requirement" means a practical assessment of knowledge and skills that clearly demonstrate a person is prepared to engage in an occupation or profession regulated by the department, and which the director of the department of licensing determines is at least as effective as examination-based occupational licensing requirements at demonstrating proficiency and protecting the health and safety of the public.(ii) "Competency-based licensing requirement" may include, but is not limited to, any combination of training, experience, testing, or observation.(b) "Occupational license" means a license, certificate, registration, permit, or other form of authorization required by law or a state agency rule that must be obtained by an individual to engage in a particular occupation or profession which is regulated by the department of licensing.(3) This section does not apply when there is a reciprocity licensing agreement with a national organization in place to facilitate reciprocal professional licensing of an individual licensed in another state.--- END ---