Key legislators
Who's moving medical licensing in Washington
Showing 31–33 of 33
bills
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HB 1306 creates two pathways for international medical graduates (IMGs) to obtain full medical licenses in Washington without completing standard U.S. postgraduate training. The primary pathway requires 48 months of supervised clinical practice under a licensed physician, followed by assessments and documentation to demonstrate competence. A hardship pathway also allows waivers for specific situations like refugee status or persecution, though it excludes failures in standard exams. The bill directly affects IMGs seeking to practice in Washington, modifying existing licensing rules to accommodate their credentials. It does not change requirements for U.S.-trained physicians but provides alternative routes for qualified IMGs.
SB 5112 would create a new certification allowing psychologists in Washington to prescribe medications for mental health conditions. To qualify, psychologists must hold a doctorate in psychology, complete a specialized master's program in clinical psychopharmacology (including 400+ hours of biomedical coursework), gain 80 hours of supervised physical assessment training, and complete a 500-hour prescribing fellowship. The certification requires passing a national exam and meeting specific education standards, building on existing psychology licensure. This aims to increase mental health access by expanding prescribing authority, addressing a shortage of psychiatric providers as noted in the bill's findings.
SB 5657 authorizes certified medical assistants with an "EMT" designation (medical assistant-EMT) to work in source plasma donation centers under physician supervision, expanding their scope beyond typical clinical settings. This directly affects plasma donation centers in Washington and medical assistants holding this specific certification. The bill amends certification rules to allow the medical assistant-EMT credential to be transferable exclusively between hospitals and plasma donation centers (previously limited to hospitals only). It specifies that these certified professionals may perform blood draw procedures (venipuncture), patient preparation, and other tasks listed in their scope of practice, as defined in the existing medical assistant regulations.
