This section identifies the applicant or specialty hospital actions and responsibilities for obtaining a license.

(1) Initial license. An applicant must submit an application packet and fee to the department at least sixty days before the intended opening date of the specialty hospital.

(2) Annual update. Before November 30 of each calendar year, a licensed specialty hospital must submit to the hospital the specialty hospital update information and fee.

(3) License renewal. Before November 30 of the year the license expires, a licensed specialty hospital must submit to the department the hospital update documentation, fee and the results of the most recent on-site survey conducted by the state fire marshal.

(4) An applicant or specialty hospital has the right to contest a license decision by:

(a) Sending a written request for an adjudicative proceeding within twenty-eight days of receipt of the department's licensing decision showing proof of receipt with the office of the Adjudicative Service Unit, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47879, Olympia, WA 98504-7879; and

(b) Including as part of the written request:

(i) A specific statement of the issues and law involved;

(ii) The grounds for contesting the department decision; and

(iii) A copy of the contested department decision.

(c) The adjudicative proceeding is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act chapter 34.05 RCW, this chapter, and chapters 246-08 and 246-10 WAC. If this chapter conflicts with chapter 246-08 and 246-10 WAC, this chapter governs.