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SB6251 • 2026

Medical school grading

Using only letter grades in schools of medicine.

Education Healthcare
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Senator Warnick
Last action
2026-01-21
Official status
S Higher Ed & Wor
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Medical school grading

Medical school grading

What This Bill Does

  • Medical school grading

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-21 Senate

    First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.

Official Summary Text

Medical school grading

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
AN ACT Relating to the use of only letter grades in schools of 1
medicine; adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW; and creating a 2
new section. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the purpose of 5
medical school is to teach the best candidates to be the best doctors 6
that they can become. In order to do so, candidates should be placed 7
into an environment where they are provided feedback on their 8
coursework in an objective manner, compared to their classmates. A 9
grading system encourages preparedness in the pupil as well as 10
positive performance and rising outcomes. Better grades will lead to 11
better doctors. As a result, it is the intent of the legislature to 12
require medical schools issue letter grades or a tiered system with 13
at least four designations for each course offered.14
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 15
RCW to read as follows: 16
The school of medicine at the University of Washington, 17
established under chapter 28B.20 RCW, and the school of medicine at 18
Washington State University, established under chapter 28B.30 RCW, 19
shall ensure that any coursework offered in the curriculum for a 20
S-4033.1
SENATE BILL 6251
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senator Warnick
p. 1 SB 6251
medical degree or certificate assesses a student's performance on the 1
coursework based on the assignment of a letter grade from A to F or a 2
tiered system with at least four designations. 3
--- END ---
p. 2 SB 6251