# RCW 48.125.020: RCW 48.125.020: Certificate of authority required

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S020

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 48.125.020
- **Heading:** RCW 48.125.020: Certificate of authority required
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 48 / Chapter 125 / Section 020

## Text

(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a person may not establish, operate, provide benefits, or maintain a self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangement in this state unless the arrangement first obtains a certificate of authority from the commissioner. (2) An arrangement is considered to be established, operated, providing benefits, or maintained in this state if (a) one or more of the employer members participating in the arrangement is either domiciled in or maintains a place of business in this state, or (b) the activities of the arrangement or employer members fall under the scope of RCW 48.01.020 . (3) An arrangement established, operated, providing benefits, or maintained in this state prior to December 31, 2003, has until April 1, 2005, to file a substantially complete application for a certificate of authority. An arrangement that files a substantially complete application for a certificate of authority by that date is allowed to continue to operate without a certificate of authority until the commissioner approves or denies the arrangement's application for a certificate of authority.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 48.125.003 RCW 48.125.003: Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S003.md)
- [RCW 48.125.005 RCW 48.125.005: Purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S005.md)
- [RCW 48.125.010 RCW 48.125.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S010.md)
- [RCW 48.125.020 RCW 48.125.020: Certificate of authority required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S020.md)
- [RCW 48.125.030 RCW 48.125.030: Certificate of authority—Requirements for issuance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S030.md)
- [RCW 48.125.040 RCW 48.125.040: Certificate of authority—Continued compliance with certain conditions—Commissioner's discretion.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S040.md)
- [RCW 48.125.050 RCW 48.125.050: Certificate of authority—Application—Form—Documentation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S050.md)
- [RCW 48.125.060 RCW 48.125.060: Surplus required—Amount—Enforcement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S060.md)
- [RCW 48.125.070 RCW 48.125.070: Contribution rates.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S070.md)
- [RCW 48.125.080 RCW 48.125.080: Certificate of authority—Granting or denying application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S080.md)
- [RCW 48.125.090 RCW 48.125.090: Reporting requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S090.md)
- [RCW 48.125.100 RCW 48.125.100: Failure to comply with chapter—Sanctions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S100.md)
- [RCW 48.125.110 RCW 48.125.110: Certificate of authority—Failure to obtain.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S110.md)
- [RCW 48.125.120 RCW 48.125.120: Policy must contain specific notice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S120.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C125_S020. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.