Rulemaking is the process government agencies must use to create, modify, or repeal rules in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

Rules are regulations, standards, or other statements of general applicability adopted by an agency to either:

  • Implement, interpret, or make specific a law enforced or administered by an agency, or
  • Prescribe or interpret an agency policy, procedure or practice requirement binding on persons outside the agency.

Rules are valid and binding on the persons they affect, and have the force of law unless amended, revised, or unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines otherwise.

Open Rulemaking

Rulemaking Subject Rulemaking Status Industry
Broker-Dealer Rules - Amendments Open Securities
NASAA Statement of Policy Regarding the Use of Franchise Questionnaires and Acknowledgments Open Franchises
Small Company Offering Registration Open Securities

Adopted Rulemaking

Rulemaking Subject Rulemaking Status Effective Date Industry
Consumer Loan Act: Allowing Mortgage Loan Originators to work from their residences Adopted 01/01/2023 Consumer Loan Companies, Loan Originators
Mortgage Broker Practices Act: Allowing Mortgage Loan Originators to work from their residences Adopted 01/01/2023 Mortgage Brokers, Loan Originators
Amended Franchise Interpretive Statement No. 4 Adopted 03/13/2020 Franchises
Electronic Filing Depository Requirements Adopted 01/09/2020 Securities
Consumer Loan Act Rulemaking Adopted 11/24/2019 Consumer Loan Companies
Mortgage Broker Practices Act Rulemaking Adopted 11/24/2019 Mortgage Brokers
Municipal Securities Exemption Adopted 06/15/2019 Securities
Franchise Electronic System Filing Requirements Adopted 04/28/2019 Securities
Repealed Interpretive and Policy Statements: IS-21 and PS-21 Adopted 03/20/2019 Investment Advisers
NASAA Statements of Policy Adopted 03/07/2019 Securities
Ministerial Updates to Exempt Transaction Rules Adopted 03/07/2019 Securities
Investment Adviser Rules - Amendments Adopted 02/18/2019 Securities
Student Education Loan Servicers Rulemaking Adopted 01/01/2019 Consumer Loan Companies
Credit Unions Rulemaking Adopted Credit Unions
Mortgage Paper Securities Rules Repeal Adopted Securities

Rulemaking Comments

In general, DFI will publish all comments and supporting material on its website. Comments and supporting materials will be published without change, including any business or personal information provided such as name, address, e-mail address, or phone number. Do not include any information in your comments or supporting materials that you consider confidential or inappropriate for public disclosure as communications with DFI related to rulemaking may become part of the public rulemaking file. Sensitive financial and personal information, such as account numbers and social security numbers, MUST not be included.

Petition for Adoption, Amendment, or Repeal of a State Rule

Individuals or groups who wish to petition DFI to adopt, amend, or repeal an administrative rule may do so by using the form linked below. You also may contact DFI using other formats, such as a letter or email.

Petition for Adoption, Amendment, or Repeal of a State Administrative Rule