(1) Nurses must complete a minimum of two hours of health equity continuing education every year upon license renewal as described in WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.
(2) The hours spent completing health equity continuing education under this section count toward meeting applicable continuing education requirements for nurse license renewal as described in WAC 246-840-220.
(3) Nurses shall complete a health equity continuing education training that must include:
(a) Implicit bias training to identify strategies to reduce bias during assessment and diagnosis. The training may include at least one other topic listed in RCW 43.70.613 (3)(c).
(b) Trainers with demonstrated knowledge and experience related to health equity. Research referenced in the training must be based on current empirical research and known best practices.
(c) Courses that assess the health care professional's ability to apply health equity concepts into practice in accordance with profession specific rules, which may include, but are not limited to:
(i) An assessment at the end of an in-person or virtual continuing education training to determine knowledge gained during that training; or
(ii) A document provided at the end of an in-person or virtual continuing education training that attests attendance at the training.
(4) The health equity continuing education training must be completed by the second full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure or 2026 renewal, whichever is later.
(5) After the first required reporting period, this training must be completed within a 12-month period prior to license renewal. Additional hours cannot be rolled over to the following year.