Glossary of Terms
The purpose of this glossary is to assist you in understanding the words and phrases used by the Department of Health. These summaries are not legal definitions, but rather general descriptions of words and phrases used in the Health Professions Web site, the profession home pages and in legal documents.
A
Active
A credential status indicating a health care
professional has a current license to
practice or health care agency or facility
has a current license to operate.
Active in Renewal
A credential status indicating a health care
professional has a current license to
practice or health care agency or facility
has a current license to operate.
Active Not
Renewable
A credential status indicating a health care
professional has a current license to
practice or health care agency or facility
has a current license to operate. The
credential is active, but cannot be renewed
when it expires.
Active On Probation
A credential status indicating a health care
professional has a current license to
practice or health care agency or facility
has a current license to operate.
Active Print
License
A credential status indicating a health care
professional has a current license to
practice or health care agency or facility
has a current license to operate.
Active With
Conditions
A credential status indicating a health care
professional has a current license to
practice or health care agency or facility
has a current license to operate. The
credential is active, identifies credential
holder is being monitored for compliance,
but is not restricted or on probation.
Active With
Restrictions
A credential status indicating a health care
professional has a current license to
practice or health care agency or facility
has a current license to operate.
Active Provisional
A credential status indicating a health care
professional has a current license to
practice while waiting for an opportunity
take/pass exam or health care agency or
facility has a current license to operate
while awaiting an inspection.
Adjudicative Clerk
Office
A unit within the Department of Health that
coordinates the distribution of documents
and schedules the settlement conferences and
hearings. The Adjudicative Clerk Office is
similar to the clerk's office in courts of
law.
Adjudicative
Proceeding or Process
The legal process used to resolve
disciplinary matters. It begins with a
statement or allegations of charges and
includes efforts to settle a case rather
than hold a formal hearing. If the case is
not settled, it includes preparing for and
conducting a formal hearing. Formal hearings
are similar to trials in courts of law.
Administrative
Procedures Act (APA)
A law that establishes requirements for rule
making, adjudicative proceedings, and appeal
of Department of Health disciplinary
decisions to courts of law. Chapter 34.05.
RCW
Agreed Order
A document issued by the disciplinary
authority that is negotiated by the health
care professional and their attorney, if
represented, with representatives from the
Department of Health. The conditions
regarding practice are agreed upon. The
order is presented to the disciplinary
authority and if approved, becomes final.
The document is usually called a Stipulated
Finding of Facts, Conclusion of Law and
Agreed Order.
Appeal Process
A health care professional has the right to
appeal a final decision of a disciplinary
authority to a court of appeals. The process
involves filing a petition with a county
superior court. Depending on the outcome,
the health care professional can appeal to
an appellate court. An appellate court's
decision sets precedence for future
decisions of the same nature. The Washington
State Supreme Court has also been petitioned
by health care professionals to hear their
case, if they found the appellate court's
decision unsatisfactory. The terms, appeal
process and judicial review, have the same
meaning.
Appellant
One of the parties to a case. The appellant
is called this because he or she is
appealing an action or a decision. The other
parties might be called the respondent, or
might be an administrative agency.
Applicant
A person who applies for a credential.
Applicant and candidate have the same
meaning.
Approved
A credential status indicating an individual
or organization that is not credentialed by
the Department of Health, but is required to
be approved by the Department of Health.
Assessment
The Department of Health or the disciplining
authority reviews the complaint and
background information made against a health
care professional or health care agency or
facility to see if an investigation should
occur. A case can be closed at this point.
Assistant Attorney
General
An attorney who works in the Washington
State Attorney General's Office representing
state agencies in the hearing phase of the
disciplinary and appeal processes.
B
Below Threshold
Thresholds established by each disciplinary
authority that are used as a basis to close
a case concerning a health care professional
without an investigation or disciplinary
action. Below Threshold complaints are ones
that suggest little or no risk of harm to
the public.
Board
Members of a health care profession and
public members appointed by the Governor to
determine the competency and quality of
health care professionals in a particular
profession. The board's authority is
outlined in the law relating to the
profession. The terms, board and commission,
have the same meaning.
Brief Adjudicative
Proceeding
An adjudicative process that relies on a
legal document review, without testimony
from individuals at a hearing, to resolve a
dispute.
C
Candidate
A person who applies for a credential.
Candidate and applicant have the same
meaning.
Case Disposition
The process of evaluating evidence from an
investigation and making a decision to take
action or to close the complaint.
Case Number
A number assigned for tracking purposes when
allegations against a health care
professional are first received.
Certification
A voluntary process by which the state
grants recognition to an individual who has
met certain qualifications. The
qualifications are set in law. A
non-certified person may perform the same
tasks, but may not use "certified" in the
title.
Closed
A credential status for a health care
professional applicant that remains
deficient of required documentation or fees
for 300 days or more - or- for a facility or
organization that stopped operating/no
longer in business.
Commission
Members of a health care profession and
public members appointed by the Governor to
determine the competency and quality of
health care professionals in a particular
profession. The commission's authority is
outlined in the law relating to the
profession. The terms, board and commission,
have the same meaning.
Complainant
A person who submits a complaint.
Compliance and
Monitoring
The process used to monitor a health care
professional who has been disciplined and
must comply with specific conditions in
order to practice. Conditions may include
payment of fines, psychological evaluation
and treatment, retraining, supervision, etc.
Continuance
Postponing the hearing to a later date.
Continuing
Education
Education that is in addition to the
educational requirements for entry into a
profession. Continuing education helps
health care professionals become aware of
new developments in their field.
Corrective Action
Formal or informal actions a disciplinary
authority can take to limit or restrict a
health care professional in practice or to
impose conditions for practice. The health
care professional may also be prevented from
practicing as a result of the action. The
terms, corrective action and disciplinary
action, have the same meaning.
Cost Recovery
A complaint that is resolved informally by
the disciplinary authority with a
Stipulation to Informal Disposition (STID)
permits the recovery of costs incurred in
the process. Up to $1000 per allegation may
be reimbursed to the program for the costs
of the investigation and processing the
complaint.
Credential
A document authorizing a person to practice
a regulated health care profession. The law
regulating the profession determines whether
the credential needs to be a license,
certification or registration.
D
Default Order
A final order issued by the disciplinary
authority when the licensee was notified and
failed to answer or participate in the
adjudicative process. A Default Order
authorizes the disciplinary authority to
issue a final order without further
participation by the health care
professional.
Denied
A credential status indicating a health care
professional applicant or candidate -or- for
a facility or organization that has been
denied a credential.
Disciplinary Action
Formal or informal actions a disciplinary
authority can take to limit or restrict a
health care professional in practice or to
impose conditions for practice. The health
care professional may also be prevented from
practicing as a result of the action. The
terms, disciplinary action and corrective
action, have the same meaning.
Disciplinary
Authority
The entity authorized by law to regulate the
profession. The Department of Health
Secretary is the disciplinary authority for
some health care professions. Boards and
commissions serve as the disciplinary
authorities for other health care
professions.
Disciplinary
Guidelines
Standards adopted by the Department of
Health and all health care profession boards
and commissions that provide a consistent
approach for taking action against health
care professionals.
Docket Number
A tracking number assigned to cases by the
Adjudicative Clerk Office. One docket number
may be assigned to a number of cases that
are resolved at the same time regarding a
single health care professional.
E
Enforcement Action
An action taken by a disciplining authority
to deny an applicant’s request for licensure
or restrict, suspend, revoke, modify, or not
renew the license of a currently licensed
health care professional or health care
agency or facility.
Expired
A credential status indicating a health care
professional or health care agency or
facility that is not renewed on or before
the expiration date. While expired, the
health care professional cannot practice or
health care agency or facility cannot
operate.
Expired in Renewal
A credential status indicating a health care
professional or health care agency or
facility that is not renewed on or before
the expiration date. While expired, the
health care professional cannot practice or
health care agency or facility cannot
operate.
F
Final Order
A document issued by the disciplinary
authority that is issued as a result of a
formal hearing and is usually called
Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and
Final Order.
Fine
One of a number of sanctions that the
disciplinary authority (board, commission,
or designee of the Department of Health
Secretary) can impose as the result of a
hearing in which the health care
professional was found to have committed
unprofessional conduct. The law permits a
fine of up to $5,000 for each violation
determined by the disciplinary authority as
the result of a hearing.
Formal Hearing
A proceeding in which evidence is heard by
the disciplinary authority, in order to make
a decision regarding the facts of the case.
Both the health care professional and the
representative for the Department of Health
present their arguments. It is a formal
proceeding similar to a trial that results
in action for or against the health care
professional.
H
Health Law Judge
An attorney employed by the Department of
Health to conduct adjudicative proceedings.
For professions regulated by the Department
of Health Secretary, the Health Law Judge
conducts the proceedings and makes the final
decision. For boards and commissions, the
Health Law Judge presides, but members of
the board or commission make the final
decision.
I
Inactive
A credential status indicating a health care
professional has requested when they are not
practicing in Washington. (Only selected
professions allowed Inactive status in RCW).
Initial Finding
A term that means a determination made by
the Department of Health upon investigation
of an allegation of abandonment, abuse,
financial exploitation, neglect, or
self-neglect. If the department determines
it is more likely than not the incident
occurred, the department documents the
finding as "substantiated." If the
department determines it is more likely than
not, the incident did not occur, the
department documents the finding as
"unsubstantiated." If the department cannot
make a determination about whether the
incident occurred or did not occur on a more
probable than not basis, the department
documents the finding as "inconclusive."
Inoperable
A credential status indicating a health care
professional cannot practice because he/she
is not employed where employment is a
requirement of the credential. This is not
the result of disciplining action. The
health care professional can resume practice
when appropriately employed.
Intake
Reports that come to the Department of
Health that register a complaint about a
health care professional or a health care
agency or facility. The department staff
checks to see if there have been prior
complaints or discipline on the health care
professional or health care agency or
facility.
Investigation
The process used by trained Department of
Health employees to interview people and
gather the facts about a complaint.
J
Judicial Review
A health care professional has the right to
appeal a final decision of a disciplinary
authority to a court of appeals. The process
involves filing a petition with a county
superior court. Depending on the outcome,
the health care professional can appeal to
an appellate court. An appellate court's
decision sets precedence for future
decisions of the same nature. The Washington
State Supreme Court has also been petitioned
by health care professionals to hear their
case, if they found the appellate court's
decision unsatisfactory. The terms, judicial
review and appeal process, have the same
meaning.
Jurisdiction
A legal term that refers to the subject
matter a disciplinary authority is allowed
by law to address. If the disciplinary
authority does not have jurisdiction, no
action can be taken.
L
License
A method of regulation by which the state
grants permission to persons who meet
predetermined qualifications to engage in a
health profession. The qualifications are
set by law and without a license; the
practice of the specific health profession
would be unlawful. Licensure protects the
scope of practice and the health care
professional's title.
Limitation
One of a number of sanctions that the
disciplinary authority can impose as the
result of a hearing in which the health care
professional was found to have committed
unprofessional conduct. An example of a
limitation is the health care professional
may only treat male patients as the result
of a hearing in which the allegations were
sexual misconduct involving female patients.
The terms, limitation, and restriction, have
the same meaning.
Limited License
A type of credential that allows a health
care professional to practice only in
limited settings or under limited
circumstances, depending on the profession.
A limited license could be granted to a
physician who will be employed by a county
health department and who is already
licensed in another state. A limited license
is NOT the result of disciplinary action.
M
Military
A credential status indicating a health care
professional is active military.
N
No Cause for Action
A complaint that is closed because no
violation of the law has been proven.
Non Applicable
Determined that credential is not required
for the services provided.
Notice of
Correction
A notice issued to the health care
professional that a violation of a statute
or rule has been documented. The notices are
NOT considered disciplinary actions. The
provider is given a reasonable period of
time to correct the violation. By law,
Notices of Correction cannot be appealed.
They are not open to public disclosure
unless someone requests the information in
the name of the specific health care
professional.
P
Panel
Three or more members of a board or
commission who have been designated to make
disciplinary decisions on behalf of the
board or commission. The law permits the use
of panels.
Pending
A credential status for an application that
is in process of being reviewed and has not
been issued.
Permanent
Revocation
A credential status that indicates a
sanction that the disciplining authority has
imposed. A revocation ends the health care
professional’s right to practice their
profession.
Petition
A formal request. An example is a petition
for review (appeal).
Petition for
Reconsideration
A health care professional may petition the
disciplinary authority to reconsider its
decision as a result of a formal hearing.
The petition must be filed within ten days
of the service of the final order. The
petition will have been denied if the
disciplinary authority does not address the
request within 20 days from receipt, or let
the health care professional know in writing
when it will act on the petition.
Practitioner
A health care professional.
Probation
A period of time during which a health care
professional must meet certain conditions
set by the disciplinary authority in order
to continue to practice. The terms,
probation and stayed suspension, have the
same meaning.
Program
Department of Health staff that work to
support the licensing, rulemaking, and
disciplinary processes for a regulated
profession.
Public Disclosure
The release of public records that relate to
the conduct of a government function kept by
the Department of Health or any other state
agency. Not all records can be disclosed due
to legal constraints. For example, medical
records cannot be released.
Public Member
An individual serving on a board or
commission who is not a member of the
profession.
Public Record
Any document that is required by law to be
created or maintained. Public records can
have many formats including electronic.
R
Registration
A process by which the state maintains; an
official roster of names and addresses of
the practitioners in a given profession and,
if required, the location, nature, and
operation of the health activity practiced.
Reprimand
One of a number of sanctions that the
disciplinary authority (board, commission,
or designee of the Department of Health
Secretary) can impose as the result of a
hearing in which the health care
professional was found to have committed
unprofessional conduct. A reprimand is
considered a formal rebuke regarding the
conduct.
Respondent
A health care professional who has received
notice of allegations against him/her.
Restriction
One of a number of sanctions that the
disciplinary authority can impose as the
result of a hearing in which the health care
professional was found to have committed
unprofessional conduct. An example of a
limitation is the health care professional
may only treat male patients as the result
of a hearing in which the allegations were
sexual misconduct involving female patients.
The terms, restriction, and limitation, have
the same meaning.
Retired
A credential status allowing intermittent or
emergency practice.
Retired Active
A credential status allowing intermittent or
emergency practice.
Retired Active In
State
A credential status allowing intermittent or
emergency practice.
Retired Active Out
Of State
A credential status allowing intermittent or
emergency practice.
Reviewing Member
Usually a member of a board or commission
assigned to review the evidence in a
particular complaint against a health care
professional. The member works with an
investigator, a staff attorney, and/or an
assistant attorney general to present a
recommendation to the disciplinary authority
about how the case should be resolved. The
member brings their professional expertise
to the process.
Revised Code of
Washington (RCW)
Laws (also known as statutes) that are
written by the Legislature and signed into
law by the Governor. RCWs are filed by
chapter with the Code Reviser. Title 18,
Business and Professions, is the chapter
that refers to the regulation of health
professions Revised Code of Washington (RCW).
Revoked
Credential status that indicates a sanction
that the disciplining authority has imposed.
A revocation ends the health care
professional’s right to practice their
profession.
Rule
Also known as Washington Administrative
Codes (WACs), rules are an interpretation of
statutes written by a government agency or
board. Rules help clarify the terms that are
found in related statutes. Rules are legally
binding and are filed by chapter with the
Code Reviser. Title 246, Department of
Health, is the chapter that refers to the
regulation of health professions. Revised
Code of Washington (RCW).
S
Sanctions
Conditions that the disciplinary authority
can impose as the result of a hearing in
which the health care professional was found
to have committed unprofessional conduct.
Sanctions that can be imposed are defined in
the Uniform Disciplinary Act and range from
reprimand to revocation.
Service
Service of a legal document means posting in
the United States mail, properly addressed,
postage prepaid, or personal service.
Service by mail is complete upon deposit in
the United States mail.
Settlement
Conference
A settlement conference is a meeting made
available to health care professionals once
they have been notified of the allegations
or charges against them. The health care
professional and attorney, if represented,
attend. They meet with representatives of
the Department of Health including a staff
attorney or an assistant attorney general.
It is an opportunity to mutually agree upon
conditions for continued practice, if the
health care professional can practice
safely. The Agreed Order must then be
presented and approved by the disciplinary
authority.
Staff Attorney
A Department of Health attorney who provides
a legal review of a complaint after
investigation, writes legal documents,
assists in managing the case once the health
care professional is notified of the
allegations or charges, attends settlement
conference, and presents Agreed Orders to
the disciplinary authority.
Statement of
Charges
A document issued that presents allegations
of violations of the law, the Uniform
Disciplinary Act, or other laws that pertain
to health care professionals.
Statute
Laws that are written by the Legislature and
signed into law by the Governor. Statutes
are filed by chapter with the Code Reviser.
Title 18, Business and Professions, is the
chapter that refers to the regulation of
health professions. Revised Code of
Washington (RCW).
Statutory Authority
The authority granted by the Legislature
that gives a government agency, board or
commission the power to enforce the law or
create rules to implement the law.
Stayed Suspension
A sanction that the disciplinary authority
can impose as the result of a hearing in
which the health care professional was found
to have committed unprofessional conduct. A
stayed suspension allows the health care
professional to practice as long as certain
conditions are met. The terms, stayed
suspension and probation, have the same
meaning.
Stipulation to
Informal Disposition (STID)
An informal method for the disciplinary
authority to resolve a complaint against a
health care professional. The document when
issued is accompanied by another document
called a Statement of Allegations. If the
health care professional agrees to sign the
STID, he/she does not admit to
unprofessional conduct, but does agree to
corrective action. Additional training is an
example of corrective action. STIDs are
reportable to national data banks but they
are not open to public disclosure unless
someone requests the information in the name
of the specific health care professional.
Summary Limitation
A sanction that the disciplinary authority
can impose as the result of an investigation
that indicates there is immediate danger to
the public, if the health care professional
continues some part of their practice. Until
a hearing is held, the health care
professional is limited in their practice,
but may legally continue the practice that
is not limited.
Summary Restriction
Credential status that indicates that the
disciplining authority has determined that
the credential holder poses immediate danger
to the public. Until a hearing is held, the
health care professional is limited in their
practice.
Summary Suspension
Credential status that indicates that the
disciplinary authority has determined that
the credential holder poses immediate danger
to the public if the health care
professional continues to practice. The
health care professional cannot legally
practice until a hearing is held.
Superseded
Credential status that indicates that the
credential is no longer active but has been
followed by another higher level or
permanent, credential.
Surrender
Credential status that indicates that the
license is surrendered, not allowed to
practice.
Suspended
Credential status that the disciplining
authority can impose as the result of a
hearing in which the health care
professional was found to have committed
unprofessional conduct. A suspension ends
the health care professional’s right to
practice their profession for a specific
period of time and/or until certain
conditions are met.
T
Temporary
Credential
A type of credential that authorizes a
health care professional to practice for a
limited time. The temporary credential is
NOT the result of disciplinary action.
Terminated
A credential status indicating a health care
professional cannot practice because he/she
no longer has an appropriate supervisor.
This is NOT the result of disciplining
action. The health care professional can
resume practice when another supervisor
accepts responsibility.
U
Uniform
Disciplinary Act (UDA)
This is a chapter in Washington State law
that provides standardized procedures for
approving applicants for credentials and for
disciplining health care professionals. The
purpose is to assure the public of the
professional competency and quality of
health care professionals. Chapter 18.130
RCW Regulation of Health Professions
Uniform Disciplinary Act
Unprofessional
Conduct
The Uniform Disciplinary Act identifies 25
violations of the law for which a health
care professional can be charged with
unprofessional conduct.
V
Voluntary Surrender
A credential status indicating the health care professional
voluntarily gave up the credential rather than face
disciplining action.
Vulnerable Adult
A vulnerable adult is defined by law as a person who is:
- 60 years of age or older who lacks the functional,
physical, or mental ability to care for himself or
herself;
- an adult with a developmental disability;
- admitted to any facility;
- receiving care and services from home health,
hospice, or home care agencies licensed or required to
be licensed under Chapter 70.127 RCW;
- receiving services from an individual provider;
- functionally disabled yet who lives in his or her
own home;
- under the care of a legal guardian per RCW
11.88.008.
A vulnerable adult, per the Office of Attorney General,
is one who by virtue of age, physical injury, disability,
disease or emotional or developmental disorders is unable to
independently provide for their own basic necessities for
life.
W
Washington
Administrative Code (WAC)
An interpretation of statutes written by a
government agency or board. WACs help
clarify the terms that are found in related
statutes (RCWs). WACs are legally binding
and are filed by chapter with the Code
Reviser. Title 246, Department of Health, is
the chapter that refers to the regulation of
health professions. Revised Code of
Washington (RCW).
Whistleblower
Protection
Statutes that protect the identity of a
person who files a complaint with the
Department of Health. A person who files a
complaint in good faith is immune from being
sued in a civil action related to the filing
of the complaint.
Z
Zlegacy – Withdrawn
This references the older previous
credentialing system, in use prior to
February 2008.
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