The bill establishes a comprehensive framework for the licensure and regulation of anesthesiologist assistants in Washington State. It introduces key definitions, including "anesthesiologist," "anesthesiologist assistant," and "supervision," and mandates the Washington medical commission to adopt rules regarding the qualifications, educational requirements, and licensure process for anesthesiologist assistants. The commission is also responsible for setting rules for temporary licenses for individuals who have completed accredited programs but have not yet passed certification exams. The bill outlines the scope of practice for anesthesiologist assistants, detailing their specific duties under the supervision of licensed anesthesiologists, while clarifying the professional responsibilities retained by the supervising anesthesiologist.

Additionally, the legislation amends existing laws to incorporate these new provisions and ensures that the uniform disciplinary act governs the issuance and denial of licenses for anesthesiologist assistants. It introduces a new chapter in Title 18 RCW, updating definitions and regulatory frameworks for various health professions, and clarifies the roles of disciplining authorities to ensure consistent application of the Uniform Disciplinary Act. The bill also specifies the authority of these authorities to grant or deny licenses and includes provisions for uniformity among regulatory entities, along with expiration and effective dates for certain sections, indicating a structured approach to implementing these changes.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.130.040, 18.120.020