Using Negotiated Rule Making (NRM), DCYF’s Licensing Division (LD) started creating new licensing WAC for residential private schools (RPS). This NRM project is associated with the Senate Bill 5515.
What is Negotiated Rule Making?
NRM is a way to create and update rules by getting agreement from individuals representing groups of people that will be impacted by the rule. Using this approach to rule making has several benefits, such as:
- Providing greater public access to rulemaking
- Creating more culturally and developmentally appropriate rules
- A better understanding of rule intent
- Increased compliance with rules
Residential Private School Pilot
DCYF ran a Residential Private Schools Pilot Licensing Process (RPS) from Oct. 15, 2024, through April 2025. During this time, they refined the rules, policies, and procedures that will be used to license and monitor these programs.
Project Timeline
- Jan. 1, 2024 – Residential Private School NRM project kicks off
- September 2025: Begin the creation of licensing structure, process, policies/procedures, forms, and IT development.
- SB5506 was brought forth and signed into law on May 13, 2025
- Oct. 22, 2025: Filed CR-102
- Oct. 25 – Nov. 25, 2025: Public Comment
- Jan. 15, 2026: Filed CR-103p
- Spring 2026: Provider and DCYF training
- July 2026: Go Live
Training
This training was created to explain the new licensing requirements for RPS in Washington state. This training was guided by data collected during the RPS Pilot.
