In 1989, the Legislature enacted standards for the certification of mental health counselors, marriage and
family therapists, and social workers. They were required to have a master's degree and thousands of hours of clinical
training.
• Fearing they would put less-educated counselors out of
work, lawmakers created a classification called registered
counselor. This classification had basically no requirements.
• The only other state with registered counselors is Maine.
It only has several hundred registered counselors.
In 2001, certification of mental health counselor,
marriage and family therapists and social workers, became
licensure. All individuals who had been certified had to
re-apply for licensure.
In 2001, licensed counselors were removed from RCW 18.19
& WAC
246-810 and placed in
RCW 18.225 &
WAC 246-809.
In 2008, House Bill 2674 passed creating eight new
credentials on July 1, 2009 and establishing a timeline for
abolishment of the registered counselor credential. DOH had
issued more than 50,000 registered counselor credentials
throughout the life of the registered counselor credential
which was abolished on July 1, 2010.
• Five new credentials for counselors in pre-licensure training status:
Certified Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
Licensed Social Worker Associate-Independent Clinical
Licensed Social Worker Associate-Advanced
• Two new credentials for counselors in private practice:
Certified Counselor
Certified Adviser
• One new credential for counselors in state agencies or in counseling programs licensed, certified, or operated by the state
Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration
