"Applicant" means an individual or entity applying for certification from DDA under this chapter.

"Certification evaluation" means a process used by DDA to determine if an applicant or provider complies with applicable WAC, policy, and contract requirements.

"Certification decision" means a length of certification, a certification approval or denial, a citation, or an enforcement action.

"Certified" or "certification" means a status that indicates a provider is approved under this chapter to provide services to clients.

• "Preliminary certification" means a temporary certification that is valid for 120 days, or until the provider receives their first certification evaluation. Preliminary certification is a prerequisite for the provider to begin delivering services to clients.

• "Initial certification" means the certification after the provider completes their preliminary certification and first certification evaluation. Initial certification is valid for up to 12 months.

• "Regular certification" means the routine certification for a provider to continue delivering services to clients, which is valid for up to 24 months.

• "Special preliminary certification" means a temporary certification that is valid for no more than 12 months and is issued to existing children's residential habilitation services, intensive habilitation services, and enhanced respite services providers.

"Citation" means a standard or regulation with which a provider is out of compliance.

"Client" means a person who has a developmental disability as defined in RCW 71A.10.020 and who has been determined eligible to receive services by DDA under chapter 388-823 WAC.

"Corrective action" means action taken to remedy a citation.

"Corrective action plan" means a plan developed by DDA and the provider to address a citation or citations.

"Decertification" means revocation of a provider's certification.

"Enforcement action" means an action DDA may apply to a provider's certification if the provider is issued a citation or fails to comply with a corrective action.

"Evaluator" means an individual or entity contracted with DDA to conduct certification evaluations and other follow-up compliance reviews as requested by DDA.

"Provider" means an individual or entity who is certified by DDA under this chapter.

"Site" means the private residence or facility where a client receives services from a provider certified under this chapter.

"Site visit" means a mandatory survey of a provider's service site to assess compliance with program-specific site requirements.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 71A.12.030 and 71A.12.080. WSR 25-11-087, s 388-825A-0020, filed 5/21/25, effective 7/1/25.]