The health professional loan repayment and scholarship program is established for credentialed health professionals serving in health professional shortage areas. The program shall be administered by the higher education coordinating board. In administrating this program, the board shall:

     (1) Select credentialed health care professionals to participate in the loan repayment portion of the loan repayment and scholarship program and select eligible students to participate in the scholarship portion of the loan repayment and scholarship program;

     (2) Adopt rules and develop guidelines to administer the program;

     (3) Collect and manage repayments from participants who do not meet their service obligations under this chapter;

     (4) Publicize the program, particularly to maximize participation among individuals in shortage areas and among populations expected to experience the greatest growth in the workforce;

     (5) Solicit and accept grants and donations from public and private sources for the program; and

     (6) Develop criteria for a contract for service in lieu of the service obligation where appropriate, that may be a combination of service and payment.

[1991 c 332 § 16; 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 718. Formerly RCW 18.150.030.]