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HB1722 • 2026
Reviewing state restrictions affecting students participating in secondary career and technical education programs and other state-approved career pathways.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Secondary career education
Effective date 7/27/2025.
Secondary career education
AN ACT Relating to state restrictions affecting 16 and 17 year 1 old students participating in secondary career and technical 2 education programs and other state-approved career pathways; adding a 3 new section to chapter 18.73 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 4 43.43 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 49.12 RCW; and creating a 5 new section. 6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:7 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that school 8 districts across the state have spent significant resources to 9 develop and offer skill center programs and career and technical 10 education programs for high school students. Many of these programs 11 are designed to allow students to begin working in the field during 12 or upon completion of the program; however, some state agencies have 13 enacted rules that place age restrictions on when a student can start 14 a program, test for a license or certification, or work in a 15 profession for which they have been issued a certification or 16 license. These restrictions are not required by federal law, are 17 inconsistent with many other states, and are barriers to 16 and 17 18 year old students being able to continue with more advanced 19 coursework or otherwise work in a profession after completing 20 training and certification or licensure.21 H-0672.1 HOUSE BILL 1722 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Representatives Connors, Schmidt, Dufault, and Barnard Read first time 01/29/25. Referred to Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards. p. 1 HB 1722 Therefore, the legislature intends to direct specified state 1 agencies to revise rules or policies that have been identified as 2 barriers to 16 and 17 year old students being able to continue with 3 more advanced coursework or otherwise work in a profession after 4 completing training and certification or licensure.5 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 18.73 6 RCW to read as follows: 7 The department shall develop a process for authorizing a student 8 who is 16 years of age to begin an emergency medical services 9 training course administered by a state-approved skill center or 10 other bona fide vocational educational program approved by the office 11 of the superintendent of public instruction, provided that the 12 program requires continuous training until the student graduates from 13 high school or turns 18 years of age, whichever is earlier.14 NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.43 15 RCW to read as follows: 16 (1) The director of fire protection shall assess its policies 17 affecting students who are participating in fire services training 18 offered at: A community and technical college, including through the 19 running start program established in RCW 28A.600.300; a preparatory 20 secondary career and technical education program under chapter 21 28A.700 RCW, including a program administered by a skill center under 22 chapter 28A.245 RCW; and other relevant educational programs. The 23 policies, including age restrictions for fire services training, 24 examinations, and certification, must be assessed for the purposes of 25 increasing professional and volunteer opportunities in the fire 26 service. 27 (2) The director of fire protection shall report to the 28 legislature by October 1, 2025, on any changes made to its policies 29 and practices and any recommendations on changes to state laws and 30 rules for purposes of improving professional and volunteer 31 opportunities in the fire service. 32 NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 49.12 33 RCW to read as follows: 34 The department may not prohibit a minor from participating in an 35 occupation based on the risk of exposure to bodily fluids or 36 transmission of infectious agents if the minor has a valid 37 p. 2 HB 1722 professional license or certification issued by the department of 1 health under Title 18 RCW and said license or certification requires 2 competency in relevant procedures for preventing transmission of 3 bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases. 4 --- END --- p. 3 HB 1722