The commission may grant exceptions to faculty degree requirements in prelicensure registered nurse nursing education programs under the following conditions:

1. (1) For faculty teaching in the classroom or laboratory, the nursing program shall provide documentation to the commission prior to employment that:

   1. (a) Despite aggressive recruitment efforts, it has been unable to attract properly qualified faculty; and
   2. (b) The individual will either teach one year or less, or be currently enrolled in a nursing, health-related, or education-related graduate degree program.

2. (2) For clinical faculty who will directly supervise registered nursing students at a clinical facility, the nursing education program shall provide documentation to the commission prior to employment that the individual has:

   1. (a) A minimum of a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from an accredited college or university and from a nursing education program that is accredited by a nursing education accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education; and
   2. (b) Current clinical experience of at least three years in the clinical subject area taught.
3. (3) For faculty teaching registered nursing students in the classroom, laboratory or clinical setting, the individual is nursing faculty tenured prior to November 3, 1995.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.010, 18.79.110, 18.79.150, 18.79.190, and 18.79.240. WSR 16-17-082, § 246-840-529, filed 8/17/16, effective 9/17/16.]