1. (1) After reviewing an applicant's sworn declaration of membership in a presumptively disadvantaged group, the agency may ask the applicant to present additional evidence that the person is a member of the identified group, if the agency has a well-founded reason to question the applicant's claim of group membership.
2. (2) The agency will provide the applicant an explanation of the reason(s) for questioning the applicant's group membership. The agency will consider whether the person has held themselves out as a member of the group for an extended period of time prior to application for certification, and whether the relevant community regards the person as a member of that group. The agency may require the applicant to produce appropriate documentation of group membership.
3. (3) The agency will not impose a disproportionate burden on members of any particular designated group in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
4. (4) If the agency determines an individual claiming membership of a presumed disadvantaged group is not a member, the individual must demonstrate social and economic disadvantage on an individual basis under WAC 326-20-045.
5. (5) The decisions concerning membership in a designated group are subject to the certification appeals process outlined in WAC 326-20-171.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 39.19.030 and 39.19.120. WSR 19-13-014, § 326-20-035, filed 6/7/19, effective 7/8/19.]