The physician is exempt from the consultation requirement in WAC 246-919-930 if one or more of the following qualifications is met:

(1) The physician is a pain management specialist under WAC 246-919-945;

(2) The physician has successfully completed a minimum of twelve category I continuing education hours on chronic pain management within the previous four years. At least two of these hours must be dedicated to substance use disorders;

(3) The physician is a pain management physician working in a multidisciplinary chronic pain treatment center or a multidisciplinary academic research facility; or

(4) The physician has a minimum of three years of clinical experience in a chronic pain management setting, and at least thirty percent of their current practice is the direct provision of pain management care.