Hearings

The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is a court. You have a right to appeal when you disagree with an action taken by certain state agencies.  OAH hears and decides the disagreement.  The judge who hears your case is neutral and not employed by the state agency involved in the disagreement.  After your hearing, the judge will make a decision based on the facts gathered at the hearing.  You can appeal the decision of the OAH judge. You must follow specific steps at the end of the decision you receive.

OAH hears appeals from many state agencies and local governments.  Following is a list of those entities.

  • Attorney General's Office
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation
  • Board of Pilotage Commissioners
  • Criminal Justice Training Commission
  • Colleges
  • Division of Child Support (DSHS)
  • Department of Children, Youth & Families
  • Department of Financial Institutions
  • Department of Fish & Wildlife
  • Department of Natural Resources
  • Department of Health
  • Department of Licensing
  • Department of Transportation
  • Department of Retirement Systems
  • Department of Services for the Blind
  • Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council
  • Employment Security Department
  • Gambling Commission
  • Local Government Whistleblowers
  • Health Care Authority
  • Human Rights Commission
  • Insurance Commissioner
  • Liquor & Cannabis Board
  • Leave & Care Division
  • Legislative Ethics Board
  • Department of Labor & Industries
  • Licensing (DSHS)
  • Lottery Commission
  • Office of Financial Management
  • Office of Minority, Women & Business
  • Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Public Assistance (DSHS)
  • Pollution Liability Insurance Agency
  • Secretary of State
  • Transportation Toll Violations
  • Universities
  • Washington Student Achievement Council
  • Washington State Patrol
  • Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board