Wash. Rev. Code » Title 18 · Chapter 18.71
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 18.71.003 (2026)

Declaration of purpose

✓ current as of May 2026
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This chapter is passed:
(1) In the exercise of the police power of the state to protect public health, to promote the welfare of the state, and to provide an adequate public agency to act as a disciplinary body for the members of the medical profession licensed to practice medicine and surgery in this state;
(2) Because the health and well-being of the people of this state are of paramount importance;
(3) Because the conduct of members of the medical profession licensed to practice medicine and surgery in this state plays a vital role in preserving the health and well-being of the people of the state; and
(4) Because the agency which now exists to handle disciplinary proceedings for members of the medical profession licensed to practice medicine and surgery in this state is ineffective and very infrequently employed, and consequently there is no effective means of handling such disciplinary proceedings when they are necessary for the protection of the public health.
[ 1955 c 202 s 1. Formerly RCW 18.72.010.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1999–2025 · leading case: Nguyen v. State Health Med. Quality Assur., 29 P.3d 689 (Wash. 2001).
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Nguyen v. State Health Med. Quality Assur., 29 P.3d 689 (Wash. 2001). · cites it 2× “" RCW 18.71.003. Prior to the creation of the Commission, [7] this court noted a medical disciplinary authority performs the special function of "protecting (a) the public, and (b) the standing of the medical profession in the eyes of the public.”
Nguyen v. Dep't of Health, 144 Wash. 2d 516 (Wash. 2001). · cites it 2× “To carry out the constitutional mandate to regulate the practice of medicine and surgery, the Legislature created the Commission, the purpose of which is set forth in detail in RCW 18.71.003: (1) In the exercise of the police power of the state to protect public health, to…”
State v. Pac. Health Ctr., Inc., 143 P.3d 618 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “[21] RCW 18.71.003(1)(2). [22] 63 Wash. 46 , 114 P.”
State v. Pac. Health Ctr., Inc., 135 Wash. App. 149 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “RCW 18.71.003(1)-(2). 63 Wash. 46 , 114 P.”
Nguyen v. Dep't of Health, 994 P.2d 216 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 18.71.003. This stated purpose gives the Commission a “legislative mandate to pursue vigorously its disciplinary task.”
Tyler Arnold v. Dep't of Health (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “" RCW 18.71.003(2). Accordingly, "the conduct of members of the medical profession licensed to practice medicine .”
Richard Wilkinson v. Washington Med. Comm'n (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “Wilkinson employed a neutral standard and disciplined him for his incompetence and dishonesty as a medical professional.”
Nguyen v. State, Dept. of Health, 994 P.2d 216 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “e to protect public health, to promote the welfare of the state, and to provide an adequate public agency to act as a disciplinary body for the members of the medical profession licensed to practice medicine and surgery in this state; (2) Because the health and well-being of the…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 18.71.003(1) — 1 case
State v. Pac. Health Ctr., Inc., 135 Wash. App. 149 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “RCW 18.71.003(1)-(2). 63 Wash. 46 , 114 P.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 18.71.003(1)(2) — 1 case
State v. Pac. Health Ctr., Inc., 143 P.3d 618 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “[21] RCW 18.71.003(1)(2). [22] 63 Wash. 46 , 114 P.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 18.71.003(2) — 2 cases
Nguyen v. Dep't of Health, 144 Wash. 2d 516 (Wash. 2001). “To carry out the constitutional mandate to regulate the practice of medicine and surgery, the Legislature created the Commission, the purpose of which is set forth in detail in RCW 18.71.003: (1) In the exercise of the police power of the state to protect public health, to…”
Tyler Arnold v. Dep't of Health (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “" RCW 18.71.003(2). Accordingly, "the conduct of members of the medical profession licensed to practice medicine .”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 18.71.003(3) — 1 case
Tyler Arnold v. Dep't of Health (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “" RCW 18.71.003(2). Accordingly, "the conduct of members of the medical profession licensed to practice medicine .”
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