On July 29, 2022, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced his intent to rescind 12 Proclamations that had been in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency. One of the rescinded Proclamations is Proclamation 20-32, which suspended certain sections of the Washington Administrative Code continuing medical education (CME) requirements.
To allow all doctors (MDs) and physician assistants (PAs) ample time to presume their pre-COVID licensing and regulatory requirements, the rescission will be effective on October 27, 2022. This means that practitioner CME requirements are set to resume this fall.
The Washington Medical Commission (WMC), along with the Department of Health and other medical professions, will be responsible for enforcing the resumption of CME requirements. WMC will instate a grace period to allow MDs and Pas to complete their CME requirements.
Specific Attestation Deadlines
For Allopathic Physicians (MDs), CME attestation is due every four years once Proclamation 20-32 is rescinded. This means that if your CME attestation is due on your birthday in 2022 (after October 27, 2022), your CME attestation will be due on your birthday in 2026. If your CME attestation is due on your birthday in 2023 (before October 27, 2023), your CME attestation will be due on your birthday in 2027.
For PAs, CME attestation is due every two years once Proclamation 20-32 is rescinded. This means that if your CME attestation is due on your birthday in 2022 (after October 27, 2022), your attestation will be due on your birthday in 2024. If your CME attestation is due on your birthday in 2023 (before October 27, 2023), your attestation will be due on your birthday in 2025.
PAs, Limited License holders, Retired Active MD licensees, and Retired Active PA licensees should all also prepare for the resumption of CME requirements.
Waivers by Profession
Each WMC licensed profession listed in the original Proclamation will have a profession-specific notice with reference points to their own Washington Administrative Code chapter and attestation dates.
Washington CME Requirements
For a link to Physician and Surgeon (MD) CME requirements, click here.
For a link to PA CME requirements, click here.
As of the writing of this article, there are no CME requirements for those with Limited Licenses.