Participate in Rulemaking

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (commission) amends or creates new rules for public safety in dentistry. Please visit our rules in progress web page to see all the dental rules currently being considered.

In the rule making process, you will see the terms RCW and WAC. The difference between the two is described below. The commission creates and amends WACs.

A Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is a law that sets a standard and is established through our state legislature.

A Washington Administrative Code (WAC) is a rule that further defines an RCW and can be changed by a regulatory authority.

Rulemaking is a lengthy process due to requirements that must be followed under chapter 34.05 RCW.  There are three main stages in rulemaking:

1. CR101 – Preproposal – this is filed before the commission may begin officially drafting new rules or amendments to existing rules.
2. CR102 – Proposal – this is filed to set a formal hearing date to consider adoption of the new or amended rule.
3. CR103 – Final – this is filed to finalize the commission’s adoption of a rule and to set an effective date of new or amended rule.

Several activities take place between each of the above rulemaking stages:

• Prior to a CR101, the commission must determine if a rule should be changed. Additionally, the commission must determine if there is RCW authority to change the rule.
• After the CR101 is filed, the commission begins drafting new or amended rule language. During this time the commission discusses rulemaking at business meetings or holds special committee meetings to gather input from the public (interested people). The public can participate in the rule drafting at this point in the process. Public can provide input by email, mail, or verbally at meetings.
• After working with the public for three to nine months (or longer if necessary), the commission will approve the new or amended rule prior to a CR102 being filed.
• After the CR102 is filed, formal public comment is received prior to or at a hearing. Formal public comments can be submitted on the Department of Health (department) rules comment web page, by email, mail, or verbally at the hearing. Formal public comments are intended to support or oppose the new or amended rule. Significant changes cannot be made to the rule at this stage. Significant changes include those that alter the intent of the rule language.

Public participation is the most important activity in the rulemaking process, and it should occur prior to the CR102 being filed. Input from dental professionals in the rule drafting process is important as their expertise ensures the rules are appropriate for the dental community and that they provide patient protection.

RCW 18.32.002 states in part “Rules, policies, and procedures developed by the commission must promote the delivery of quality health care to the residents of the state.”

Rules currently being drafted are on our rules in progress web page. To receive updates on dental rulemaking, join our GovDelivery interested parties email list. Please email dental@doh.wa.gov for copies of proposed rules or to provide any comment on proposed rules.