About the Adjudicative Service Unit

The Adjudicative Service Unit administers health law hearings for the Department of Health. We report and act independently from other department programs.

Our staff includes Health Law Judges, who make initial decisions in all cases before the Department of Health except health profession discipline cases that are before a board or commission. Health Law Judges serve as presiding officers in health profession discipline cases that are before a Board or Commission.

Adjudicative Services Unit Organizational Chart, (PDF) (05/16/17) | Department of Health Agency Leadership Team

  • All Department of Health cases proceed pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 34.05 RCW).
  • Health Profession discipline cases before a board or commission also proceed per Chapter 246-11 Washington Administrative Code.
  • All other Department of Health cases (including health profession discipline cases not before a board) proceed according to Chapter 246-10 Washington Administrative Code.

Mission:

The Department of Health's Adjudicative Service Unit provides an efficient, impartial, fair, and uniform legal process for the litigants and the public.

Values:

Fair and impartial - All parties who appear before us will have an opportunity to present their case. Evidence will be heard and decisions rendered in a fair, impartial, and unbiased manner.

Integrity and Honesty - We provide an open forum. We follow and uphold the law without undue influence from outside sources.

Respect - We embrace the diversity of individuals and treat all people with dignity.

Stewardship - We provide services in an efficient, competent, and timely manner. We make good use of public resources.