Washington Administrative Code Title 36 - Licensing, Department of (Professional Athletics)
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Title 36 is dedicated to the Department of Licensing's regulation of Professional Athletics. This title outlines the rules and standards for various combative sports, ensuring the safety of participants and the integrity of events in Washington State.
The Department of Licensing, through its professional athletics division, is tasked with overseeing professional and amateur combative sports, including licensing, medical requirements, event conduct, and disciplinary actions.
Here's a breakdown of the key chapters and areas covered within WAC Title 36:
Chapter 36-12: Professional Boxing This is a comprehensive chapter detailing the regulations specific to professional boxing events. Key aspects include:
Definitions: Clear definitions of terms used in boxing, such as "knockdown," "fair blow," "foul," "contest," "referee," "judge," and "timekeeper."
Licensing Requirements: Regulations for obtaining and renewing licenses for all participants and officials involved in professional boxing, including boxers, managers, seconds, matchmakers, referees, judges, timekeepers, and promoters.
Physical Qualifications and Examinations: Strict medical requirements for boxers, including pre-fight physicals, blood tests for communicable diseases (HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C), and specific neurological and cardiac exams for older boxers or those with significant loss records (e.g., over 36 years old or 6 consecutive losses).
Weigh-in Procedures: Rules governing official weigh-ins, weight classes, and permissible weight differences between boxers.
Ring and Equipment Standards: Specifications for the boxing ring (dimensions, padding, ropes), gloves (weight, padding), and hand-wraps.
Event Officials and Their Responsibilities: Detailed duties and authority for referees, judges, timekeepers, and event physicians. Referees are the sole arbiters of a bout, and judges use the "ten-point-must system" for scoring.
Conduct of Contests: Rules for rounds (duration, rest periods), knockdowns (mandatory eight-count, no "saved by the bell" rule), fouls (and associated penalties), and procedures for handling injuries.
Promoter Responsibilities: Requirements for promoters, including providing a surety bond, ensuring licensed personnel, arranging for medical insurance for boxers, and providing emergency medical services (ambulance or paramedical unit) at the event.
Suspensions: Rules for suspending boxers due to injuries (e.g., knockouts), consecutive losses, or medical conditions.
Event Fees and Reporting: Regulations for event fees paid by promoters and reporting requirements to the department and federal boxing registries.
Chapter 36-13: Wrestling This chapter specifically addresses the regulation of professional wrestling, often referred to as theatrical wrestling exhibitions in the context of state regulation.
Ring and Safety Zone: Standards for the wrestling ring (minimum size, padding, covering) and the requirement for a six-foot safety zone between the ring and spectators with an approved barrier.
Dangerous Conduct: Prohibition of physically dangerous conduct, including the practice of "juicing" (intentionally drawing blood). Referees are mandated to terminate matches where juicing occurs.
Promoter and Theatrical Wrestling School Responsibilities: Duties related to maintaining peace and order, preventing violations by participants, and ensuring medical services (ambulance or EMT) are present.
Appeals: Procedures for licensees to appeal suspensions or revocations.
Off-site Events: Notification requirements for theatrical wrestling schools holding events off-site.
Chapter 36-14: Professional and Amateur Martial Arts This chapter covers various forms of martial arts, including Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), both professional and amateur.
Definitions: Specific definitions for terms like "mixed martial arts," "no holds barred fighting," and various types of strikes and techniques.
Licensing and Medical Requirements: Similar to boxing, this includes extensive physical qualifications and exams for martial arts participants, including blood tests and specialized neurological/cardiac exams based on age or record.
Fouls: Detailed lists of prohibited actions and fouls, such as eye gouging, biting, hair pulling, groin attacks, downward elbow strikes, and strikes to the spine or back of the head. Specific rules often apply to amateur martial arts regarding prohibited techniques.
Rules of Competition: Regulations for rounds, scoring (often using a 10-point must system), knockdowns, and how to handle injuries or fouls.
Equipment: Standards for gloves, mouthpieces, and other protective gear.
Promoter Responsibilities: Similar obligations to boxing promoters regarding event safety, licensing, and medical provisions.
General Themes Across Title 36:
Public Safety: A paramount concern, manifested through stringent medical requirements, detailed rules for conduct, and the presence of medical personnel.
Integrity of the Sport: Rules are designed to ensure fair competition, prevent fixed matches, and deter unprofessional conduct.
Licensing and Oversight: The Department of Licensing plays a central role in vetting and licensing all individuals and entities involved in professional combative sports, as well as overseeing event conduct.
Unified Rules: Washington's regulations often align with the "Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts" and "Unified Rules of Boxing" adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) to ensure consistency across jurisdictions.
In essence, WAC Title 36 provides a comprehensive and detailed regulatory framework that governs the conduct of professional boxing, wrestling, and martial arts in Washington State, ensuring that these high-impact sports are conducted
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