Evidence status: CURRENT AUTHORITY MAP. This page identifies the body responsible for Washington’s physician opioid-prescribing rules and the formal process available to seek amendment or repeal.

Controlling body

The Washington Medical Commission regulates allopathic physicians and physician assistants and maintains the opioid-prescribing rules in Chapters 246-919 and 246-918 WAC.

Current leadership

The Commission’s current member page identifies Terry Murphy, MD as Chair. The Commission appointed Kyle S. Karinen as Executive Director in 2023, and current WMC materials continue to identify him in that role.

Formal petition route

RCW 34.05.330 allows any person to petition a Washington agency for adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule. The Office of Financial Management’s Chapter 82-05 WAC supplies the standard petition framework. A petition should identify the agency, the rule and proposed change or repeal, and the reasons for the request.

Sixty-day response requirement

Within 60 days after submission of a petition, the agency must either deny the petition in writing with reasons or initiate rulemaking proceedings. A denial may be appealed to the governor within the statutory time window, and certain denials may support a petition to the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee.

Immediate 2026 opportunity

The Washington Medical Commission already has an active opioid-prescribing rulemaking project underway. The written-agreement rule lies inside the range under review, making the current workshop and formal rulemaking record especially important to preserve.

Current officials and process

Office Current official Record role
Washington Medical Commission Chair Terry Murphy, MD Current Commission chair.
Washington Medical Commission Executive Director Kyle S. Karinen Executive administration of the Commission.

Primary sources

← Washington Contract-for-Care Evidence Library

Reviewed: October 4, 2026.