Beginning June 6, 2024, healthcare providers, including nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, must submit certification of a serious health condition within seven (7) calendar days of receiving a patient request for certification. Such certification is required to qualify a patient for Paid Family Medical Leave benefits (Chapter 50A.15 RCW).
Health care facilities that require administrative review prior to allowing a provider to certify a serious health condition must implement and maintain policies and practices to ensure compliance with the seven-day requirement.
Providers licensed by the Department of Health must comply with this new law. Failure to provide certification and any related documentation within seven (7) calendar days as required may result in enforcement action related to unprofessional conduct (RCW 18.130.180(7)).
